Revisions
While the MRE was lighter than the canned MCI and had more dietary energy than the LRP ration, it had certain problems. US Special Operations forces found it too bulky and troops on maneuvers found some menu items were unsuited for easy digestion in cold weather / high-altitude or high-temperature / high-humidity environments. While unofficial practice was to strip out items deemed "unnecessary", this also reduced the ration's dietary energy content. Faced with these problems, this forced the adoption of a specialized ration for light troops or commando units on extended field operations.
In 1994, a new version of the LRP ration called the LRP-I (Food Packet, Long-Range Patrol - Improved) was created. It was an 11 ounces (310 g) ration that came in a brown plastic retort pouch that allowed the user to reconstitute and cook the ration directly in the pouch. This was an improvement over the earlier LRP packet, which had to be boiled or soaked in a canteen cup or other cookware.
| Long Range Patrol Ration - Improved (1994-2001) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Entree | Cereal Bar | Dessert 1 | Dessert 2 | Beverage | |
| Menu 1 | Chicken Stew | Cornflake Bar | Oatmeal Cookie Bar | Candy Toffee Roll, Chocolate (4 pieces) | Apple Cider Drink | |
| Menu 2 | Beef Stew | Granola Bar | Chocolate-Covered Cookie | Caramels | Hot Cocoa Beverage | |
| Menu 3 | Sweet & Sour Pork | Branflake Bar | Peanut Butter & Crackers | Apple Cider Drink | ||
| Menu 4 | Chicken Ala King | Branflake Bar | Chocolate-Covered Cookie | Hard Candies | Powdered Orange Drink | |
| Menu 5 | Lasagna | Branflake Bar | Peanut Butter & Crackers | Lemon Tea (2 packets) | ||
| Menu 6 | Spaghetti with Meat Sauce | Cornflake Bar | Oatmeal Cookie Bar | Candy Toffee Roll, Chocolate (4 pieces) | Beverage Base (Bouillon Powder) | |
| Menu 7 | Chili Con Carne | Granola Bar | Fig Bar | Hard Candies | Powdered Orange Drink | |
| Menu 8 | Beef and Rice | Cornflake Bar | Fig Bar | Chocolate-Covered Discs, (2 pieces) | Lemon Tea (2 packets) | |
In 2001, the LRP-I was merged with the Meal, Cold-Weather (MCW) ration to create the consolidated MCW/LRP ration. As in years past, this was done in order to further standardize supply and save costs, as both were considered compact, high-energy meals that were designed for use by active soldiers in the field. The meal weighs 1 pound (500 g) and comes in 12 different entrees.
The meals differ only in the accessory packs. One is geared for use by light infantry and commando units operating in temperate or hot climates and comes in brown or tan packaging. The other is geared more for use in cold weather or high altitudes and comes in white packaging.
Read more about this topic: LRP Ration
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