RDS: Rapid Deployable System

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Rapid Deployable System (RDS)

The deployable system utilized by the RDS is based on

structural/mechanical principles that deliver measurable
improvement over existing deployable tent systems.

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 RDS: Rapid Deployable System

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The Challenge of Rapid Deployment Structures

The challenges for any command, when it comes to temporary structures, are
the operational efficiency of the shelter, along with the interoperability of the
total system components. Whether used during combat service or
peacekeeping efforts – for homeland defense or field operations – to meet the
critical requirements of the Department of Defense, tents were heavy,
cumbersome and difficult to install.

Most fast set up or rapidly deployable structures rely on a “scissor system”

The need to design to achieve the structural base of the shelter. Feedback from the field
achieve operational recognizes the negative factors associated with these types of shelters –
readiness – without
delay of technical
including reduced efficiency, performance, ease of use, technical support and
support from the pack size.
vendor or timely
repair from service Under Canopy / Erection Time: Pole tents, frame tents and older-style rapid
technicians – is
critical to assembly shelters require the use of many parts, heavy fabric and large
successful mission stakes, ropes and guylines. Up to 8 personnel are needed to transport the
planning and current tents and erection time of 60 minutes – and in some case, over an
execution. hour. The footprint needed to erect these tents is large due to the guy ropes
for staking, and the operating terrain is limited.

Ease of Use: Setting and striking tents needs to be a quick, flawless and fluid
exercise. Using tent products with the scissor system make setting up the tent
challenging and transportation cumbersome. Damaged and misplaced parts
are a common occurrence.

System Requirements: When choosing a tent system, units often have to pick
a single important feature, while sacrificing a plethora of other critical features.
There was no “complete” system or package. And, most tents and temporary
structures in the military arsenal need extra parts (or “weather” kits) to achieve
snow load rating and wind rating. Carrying these extra kits is problematic, as
well as properly installing them – and this additional cost is an unnecessary
burden.

Integration of System Components: The need for system components such as

ECU’s, generators, lights and communication equipment are more important
than ever. And the challenges faced by users of the various shelter systems
are successfully integrating a variety of system components into a shelter.
Also, the shelters need to easily complex with other shelters and vehicles to
easily create command post and remote military base operations.

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 RDS: Rapid Deployable System

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The Eureka! Solution: RDS: Rapid Deployable System

An Integrated, Fully-Functional, Cross-Operational and Rapidly Deployable

Mobile Shelter System Utilizing a Structural Truss Frame

The Eureka! RDS was developed for the US Armed Forces as a rapidly
The RDS provides a
deployable and tactical use shelter that maximizes modularity, ease of use,
huge advantage of
cost saving with an operational effectiveness, durability and versatility. This unique system
interchangeable comes in a variety of sizes, and was designed to meet the entire spectrum of
outer skin. It allows requirements from all branches of the military.
the units to
changes skins and
not the entire tent The RDS frame system consists of a truss-style frame for rugged and
system when durable installation – and the synchronized gear system make it fast and
changing from easy. This patented design has been tested and passed at Aberdeen
desert tan to
camouflage green. Proving Ground, one of the most diverse and rigorous test sites utilized by
the Department of Defense.

The RDS was developed to achieve the following goals:

 Structural Efficiency
 Durable Performance
 Ease of Deployment
All in a compact and lightweight package.

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 RDS: Rapid Deployable System

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Structural Efficiency
Prior to the RDS, all other fast set up structures relied upon “scissor
system” designs. The two key design advantages of the RDS versus
scissor systems are:

(1) The Creation of a Structural Truss

The advantage of the structural truss is a static load strength to pass
10 pounds per square foot snow loads without additional braces that
often increase set up time and added expense

(2) Fewer Moving Parts/Locking Pin Locations

The advantage of fewer moving parts/locking pin locations is less
failure modes and greater system reliability.

When the RDS is deployed, it forms a structural truss. Each section has a
four-sided structure of compressive members with two diagonal tension
cables. Upon deployment, the cables are tensioned, becoming the major
load bearing element.

Other quick erect tents do not use the structural trusses. Tubes in scissor
systems design have pins in each end and at the mid-span – and become
the major load bearing element. In addition, the hole at the mid-span is
located at the point where the tube has the greatest bending stress during
deployment and the greatest opportunity for damage.

RDS
Tube Truss

Scissor-System
Cable Design
Pins

The RDS design also allows for high point loading at the hubs. These hubs
are structural members that efficiently transfer the point loads from fabric
or from hanging equipment to the truss system.

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 RDS: Rapid Deployable System

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Durable Performance
Scissor systems (like most other frame design systems) require tie-downs
for stability. The RDS structural system does not require tie-downs or wind
guys – staking the support legs are sufficient to meet all wind and load
requirements. In addition, the RDS-695 does not require any additional
cables or supports or any special “equipment kits” to meet snow, wind or
wind/rain loading.

The RDS is an efficient truss structure, and it is proportioned in a rational,

optimized manner. Its part count is lower than typical scissor systems,
which require extra members to distribute applied loads. Lower part count
means that structural members may be sized significantly larger than
scissor systems without weight penalty. These larger structural sections
are far less susceptible to damage than the smaller member in scissor-
type structures.

Due to the advanced structural design of the RDS roof trusses, it is

exceedingly strong and capable of supporting significant point loads. Many
objects that use to take up valuable floor space may now be suspended
from the extremely ridge and stable roof allowing for more flexible usage of
the shelter.

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 RDS: Rapid Deployable System

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Ease of Deployment
The RDS has been designed to streamline and simplify the deployment
process. One key factor to achieve this has been to minimize lifting forces
and eliminate all overhead lifting during deployment. Because there is little
lifting (and no overhead lifting), service-personnel remain in a comfortable
standing position throughout most of the deployment. Scissor systems
require a significant overhead upward lift.

In addition, based on its unique, patented system, the RDS utilizes gears
to synchronize the movement of its members during deployment. The main
benefit of a geared system is that it provides consistent synchronization
throughout deployment. In contrast, scissor systems provide poor
synchronization during the initial deployment stages, which results in
confusion during deployment and increase the likelihood of accidental
breakage.

Another key benefit of the truss system configuration is shelter sizing.

Scissor systems are constrained by width. The greater the width, the
higher the loads on the pins. This constraint is better managed with the
RDS allowing for the widest tent in it class. This provides the field
commander greater flexibility in space utilization.

RDS-150 RDS-480 RDS-635 RDS-695

16’ 6” x 10’ 1” 20’ x 24’ 20’ x 31’ 9” 23’ 6” x 29’ 6”

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 RDS: Rapid Deployable System

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Made to Meet the Challenge

Because of its design, deployment procedures and structural integrity,

the RDS offers a viable solution for today’s warfighter. And, through
product demonstrations and in-use field reports, the feedback has been
outstanding.

Superior Tactical Deployment

The RDS can withstand impact of weighted items stored on top of it,
when it is in its packed state. It has a self-contained frame system,
which enables the user to reduce embarkation equipment and storage
containers. It does not require structural support during transportation,
which enhances the speed of operational readiness. In addition, the
Eureka! RDS has the ability to store and stage on tactical vehicles such
as the Amtrak, 7 –Ton Trucks, Helicopters and many other transport
vehicles used by the Armed Forces.

Fast, Easy, Versatile and Durable . . . Beyond Compare!

The RDS-695 is designed to exacting standards. It was dropped in
location and rolled in place, then set up by a 4-person team without any
damage. In fact, operations using the RDS were recognized as having
the ability to reduce the number of personnel required to erect the tent,
reduce the footprint of the convoys due to the pack out state of the frame
and consistently be under canopy in less than 14 minutes.

No Ropes or Guylines Depicts a Well-Designed Structure

The use of external lines and ropes is not needed to support the RDS.
This not only speeds installation, but reduces the footprint needed for
remote operations. Detachable end walls allow all models to easily
complex together. And, the RDS requires NO SPECIAL KITS for snow,
wind or rain load.

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 RDS: Rapid Deployable System

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A Shelter – and Integrated Components – Made to Meet the Challenge

A truly innovative company will surround themselves with experts from every
field, and Eureka! is no exception. When it comes to making sure the RDS is
fully integrated and all system components are top-notch, we’ve partnered
with the best in class suppliers: Jameson, LLC, Applied Companies and
Raytheon Solipsys, to name a few. Integrating superior lighting, GENSETT
and ECU and communications/command post equipment AND the RDS into a
convenient trailer make operations self contained. Each field unit will have the
best equipment to meet the needs of any operation, whether military or
civilian, and the systems will fully integrate with equipment already in the field.

The Eureka! Advantage

The Eureka! Tent Division of Johnson Outdoors Gear LLC has more than a
Soldiers eat in them,
sleep in them and century of tent and soft shelter experience. Our commitment to innovation in
plan missions in all phases of design and manufacture led us, in 2006, to the design and
them. Doctors introduction of the Rapid Deployable Shelter (RDS). Through a partnership
operate in them and with Hoberman Designs, Inc., the RDS uses synchronized gears for faster,
patients recover in
them. In total, easier set-up.
we’ve provided over
250,000 tents to the And, over the past 100 years, Eureka! has been making history as the
military . . . now
innovation leader in the tent industry . . . all including superior craftsmanship,
that’s a company
you can count on. attention to detail, consistent innovation and excellent comforts. Eureka!'s
commitment is the same as it was 100 years ago: to provide the best gear at
the best price. You can be sure that your Eureka! tent, shelter or pack will
provide years of trouble-free service, no matter where your mission takes you.
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 RDS: Rapid Deployable System

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Contact Information

Johnson Outdoors Gear LLC

Eureka! Branded Tent Products
625 Conklin Road
Binghamton, NY 13903

Toll Free: 800-847-1460

Telephone: 607-779-2200
Fax: 607-779-2291

E-Mail: [email protected]

Web Site: www.eurekamilitarytents.com

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© 2014 Johnson Outdoors Gear, Inc. 5/14/2014 www.eurekamilitarytents.com