Innovative Self-sustaining Living Module

Overview

Tactical combat teams are often on the move in extreme environments. SAIC created its self-sustaining living module (SLiM) concept, which is a rigid-walled, modular shelter system that includes solar energy collection and microgrid power management for military personnel at base camps. SLiM can:

• Maximize quality of life for troops
• Maximize energy, water, and waste efficiency
• Minimize logistics footprint

"This solution will maximize the quality of life for our troops and energy efficiency at stations, and will minimize logistics' footprint with a futuristic concept that can be scaled for next generation military contingency bases."
- JT Grumski, SAIC senior vice president

Smaller-sized base camps are usually composed of a mix of standard and non-standard equipment. The result is inefficient power and water consumption, waste management, and construction while increasing operations and maintenance costs over time. These inefficiencies divert soldiers’ efforts from the critical mission to supporting the functions of establishing, operating, and maintaining base camps. Personnel are often forced to improvise when establishing camps and combat outposts in austere environments – typically with little or no organic resources, no construction material handling equipment, and often under enemy threat, at the detriment to their mission.

We will provide design, development, and fabrication services in support of the SLiM concept, which includes shelter and basic living amenities for small contingency bases. The concept design drawings are for a scale model of SLiM. Under the 12-month Phase II option of the contract, SAIC will fabricate and assemble the units and provide a functional prototype of SLiM, including two cubes to demonstrate integrated energy and water management subsystems. Additional SLiM features include:

• Shelter for around 20 personnel
• Automatic set-up and breakdown
• Interoperability with standard base camp utility structures
• Water harvesting, storage, purification and reuse
• Integrated lighting and power distribution
• Sufficient ventilation and condensation mitigation
• Decontamination- and cleansing-capable
• Real-time diagnostic monitoring of critical life-support equipment