INCH-POUND 

MIL-R-44398B 

20 September 1993

 W/CHANGE 03 1 MAY 2003 

SUPERSEDING 

MIL-R-44398A 

MILITARY SPECIFICATION 

RATION SUPPLEMENT, FLAMELESS HEATER, FOR MEAL, READY-TO-EAT 

This specification is approved for use by all Departments and Agencies of 

the Department of Defense. 

 1. SCOPE 

 1.1 Scope. This specification covers a water activated exothermicchemical heater packaged in a plastic heating bag which functions as a 

container for heating the Meal, Ready-to-Eat, Individual. 

 2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS 

 2.1 Government documents. 

 2.1.1 Specifications, standards, and handbooks. The following 

specifications, standards, and handbooks form a part of this document to the 

extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these 

documents are those listed in the issue of the Department of Defense Index of 

Specifications and Standards (DODISS) and supplement thereto, cited in the 

solicitation (see 6.2). 

Beneficial comments (recommendations, additions, deletions) and any pertinent 

data which may be used in improving this document should be addressed to: 

U.S. Army Natick Research, Development, and Engineering Center, Natick, MA 

01760-5014 by using the Standardization Document Improvement Proposal (DD 

Form 1426) appearing at the end of this document or by letter. 

AMSC N/A FSC 8970 

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is 

unlimited. 
MIL-R-44398B 

 STANDARDS 

 FEDERAL 

 

FED-STD-313 - Material Safety Data Sheets Preparation and the 

 Submission of 

FED-STD-595 - Colors Used in Government Procurements 

 MILITARY 

MIL-STD-105 – Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by 

 Attributes 

MIL-STD-129 - Marking for Shipment and Storage 

 MIL-STD-147 - Palletization Requirements 

MIL-STD-731 - Quality of Wood for Containers and Pallets 

(Unless otherwise indicated, copies of federal and military 

specifications, standards and handbooks are available from the 

Standardization Documents Order Desk, Building 4D, 700 Robbins Avenue, 

Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094.) 

2.1.2 Other Government documents, drawings, and publications. The 

following other Government documents, drawings, and publications form a part 

of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, 

the issues are those cited in the solicitation. 

DRAWINGS 

U.S. ARMY NATICK RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING CENTER 

 6-1-8920 - Bag, Ration Heater 

13-1-0184 - Figure 1, "DO NOT EAT" Pictograph 

(Copies of drawings are available from the U.S. Army Natick Research, 

Development, and Engineering Center, ATTN: SATNC-EMSS, Natick, MA 01760-

5014.) 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS), U.S. FOOD AND DRUG 

ADMINISTRATION (FDA) 

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and Regulations Promulgated 

 Thereunder (21 CFR Parts 170-189) 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) 

Research and Special Programs Administration (49 CFR Parts 171-180) 

(Copies are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 

Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-0001.) 

2.2 Non-Government publications. The following documents form a part of 

this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, 

the issues of the documents which are DOD adopted are those listed in the 

issue of the DODISS cited in the solicitation. Unless otherwise specified, 

the issues of documents not listed in the DODISS are the issues of the 

documents cited in the solicitation (see 6.2). 

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MIL-R-44398B 

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS (ASTM) 

ASTM D 5276 - Standard Test method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers 

 by Free Fall 

ASTM D 999 - Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers 

ASTM D 4727 - Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container 

 Grade) and Cut Shapes 

ASTM E 162 - Flame Spread Index 

ASTM E 662 - Specific Optic Density 

ASTM D 1974 - Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, and 

Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes 

ASTM D 5118 - Standard Practice for Fabrication of Fiberboard Shipping 

Boxes 

(Application for copies should be addressed to the American Society for 

Testing and Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1187.) 

NATIONAL MOTOR TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION, INC., AGENT 

National Motor Freight Classification 

(Application for copies should be addressed to the American Trucking 

Association, Inc., Traffic Department, 2200 Mill Road, Alexandria, VA 22314.) 

UNIFORM CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE, AGENT 

 Uniform Freight Classification 

(Application for copies should be addressed to the Uniform Classification 

Committee, 22 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1120, Chicago, IL 60606.) 

(Non-Government standards and other publications are normally available 

from the organizations that prepare or distribute the documents. These 

documents also may be available in or through libraries or other 

informational services.) 

2.3 Order of precedence. In the event of a conflict between the text of 

this document and the references cited herein, the text of this document 

takes precedence. Nothing in this document, however, supersedes applicable 

laws and regulations unless a specific exemption has been obtained. 

 3. REQUIREMENTS 

3.1 First article. When specified (see 6.2), a sample shall be subjected 

to first article inspection (see 6.3) in accordance with 4.3 and 4.3.1. 

3.2 Materials and components. The materials and components shall be as 

specified herein and on the applicable drawings. Where materials are not 

definitely specified, they shall be of the quality normally used for the 

purpose in commercial practice provided the end items comply with all 

requirements of this document and do not degrade the operational suitability 

or effectiveness of the heater. It is encouraged that recycled material be 

used when practical as long as it meets the requirements of this document. 

3.2.1 Supercorroding alloy. The supercorroding alloy shall be Mg5atomic%Fe produced from magnesium metal powder and food grade electrolytic 

iron powder by solid state blending in a vibratory ball mill. The alloy 

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MIL-R-44398B 

shall be of such purity and uniformity that the performance of the finished 

ration heater will meet all requirements of this document. 

3.2.2 Alloy additives. Fillers, binders, and additives, including 

electrolytes, wetting agents, and flow agents used in the heater construction 

shall be of such purity and uniformity that the performance of the finished 

ration heater will meet all requirements of this document. 

3.2.3 Protective cover. The heater element shall be sealed within a 

protective cover constructed of a gas and water permeable material. The 

color of the cover shall be a clear or opaque plastic color, a natural tan 

color, like an unbleached kraft paper or shall be colored a light green 

approximately the color of the instruction label as specified in 3.6 or green 

in the range of 34127 through 34159 (excluding 34138) or 34226 through 34258 

or 34583 of FED-STD-595. Alternatively, the protective cover may be a white 

color if provided in a heater bag that is printed or colored overall on both 

sides of the bag with a color as specified in 3.6 to neutralize or mask the 

visual reflectivity of the white material. 

3.2.3.1 Printing of pictograph. Each protective cover shall be printed 

with the "DO NOT EAT" pictograph in accordance with figure 1. The pictograph 

shall be printed in three colors; a black figure on a white background with a 

red circle and a bar. The outside diameter of the pictograph circle shall be 

7/8 inch (+ 1/8 inch). The pictograph shall be printed on the exterior of 

one side f the protective cover. 

3.2.4 Plastic bag. The plastic bag shall be a clear, natural, high 

density polyethylene bag that will function as protective packaging for the 

heater and serve as a container to hold both the heater and the MRE entree 

pouch while the heating process takes place. The bag shall conform to the 

requirements shown on Drawing 6-1-8920. Alternatively, when the heater 

element is provided in a white, polyester, protective cover, the polyethylene 

heater bag shall be printed or colored overall on both sides with a color as 

specified in 3.2.3 to neutralize or mask the visual reflectivity of the 

white, polyester material. 

3.3 Design of heater pad. The heater element shall consist of a 

supercorroding Mg-Fe alloy powder and an electrolyte tougher with flow and 

wetting agents. The magnesium and iron function as anode and cathode, 

respectively. The electrolyte is activated by the addition of water which 

initiates a rapid corrosion of the magnesium particles within the matrix. 

The products of the chemical reaction are heat, magnesium hydroxide, and 

gaseous hydrogen. 

3.4 Heater construction. 

3.4.1 Heater. The heater element materials shall be uniformly blended and 

fixed in a matrix that will assure conformity to the performance 

requirements. Heater When the sintering process is used to form heater pads, 

the sintered heater pads shall not exceed maximum dimensions of 4-3/4 inches 

in length by 3-3/4 inches in width by 3/16 inch in thickness when examined as 

specified in 4.4.3. Heater raw materials excluding cover and bag shall not 

exceed 24 grams when examined as specified in 4.4.1.2. 

3.4.2 Heater element protective covering. Heater elements shall be 

contained in a protective cover as specified in 3.2.3. Covers shall be heat 

sealable or sealed with hot melt adhesive. 

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MIL-R-44398B 

3.4.3 Insertion in bag. The heater paperboard with protective paperboard 

cover shall be sealed within the plastic bag specified in 3.2.4. The seals 

of the finished bag shall be of adequate strength and integrity to withstand 

the leakage test specified in 4.4.4 without leaking. If the method of opening 

the finished bag is to be different from that shown on Drawing 6-1-8920 the 

method shall be such that the bag can be easily torn open across the width of 

the bag perpendicular to the side weld of the bag when tested as specified in 

4.5.5. 

3.5 Performance requirements. 

3.5.1 Heating performance. The heater shall be capable of providing a 

1000

F minimum temperature rise in water filled MRE pouch in 12 minutes or less 

when tested as specified in 4.4.4. 

3.5.2 Heater by-products. The finished heater shall operate without 

emission of any unusual objectionable odors such as burning plastic/metal or 

sulfurous odors, as specified in 4.5.4.1. After the MRE pouch is removed, 

but still wet, there shall be no evidence of the white granular magnesium 

hydroxide precipitate, except at the location of the holes in the cover. The 

amount of residual water shall be not greater than 10 milliliters. 

3.6 Label. One side of the plastic heating bag shall be legibly printed 

using a flexo-graphic printing process (or equal) with black characters on a 

light green or tan background. The light green background shall approximate 

color number 34583 of FED-STD-595. The tan background shall be in the range 

of 20309 through 30450 of FED-STD-595. The label shall be as shown on 

Drawing 6-1-8920. The label shall be clearly legible after testing as 

specified in 4.4.4. 

3.6.1 Alternate label design. Alternate label designs shall be furnished 

to the contracting officer for determination of suitability. 

3.7 Material certification. The material used in the heater and in the 

heater bag itself shall be safe in the event of incidental contact with the 

food being heated. The contractor shall certify that the materials used are 

safe in or on food by reference to, and in accordance with 21 CFR, Parts 170-

189, applicable material safety datasheets, or other recognized health 

standards and regulations. 

3.8 Material safety data sheets. A material safety data sheet (MSDA) shall 

be prepared in accordance with the requirements of FED-STD-313 (see 6.5). 

The MSDS shall be securely attached to the palletized unit loads of level B 

and C packing as specified in 5.3. 

3.9 Health hazard assessment. If requested, the contractor shall furnish 

the formulation of the heater to the U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, 

ATTN: HSHB-MO, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5422. The formulation shall 

detail the exact percentages of the chemicals and compounds used in the 

heater, as well as the chemical composition of trade name ingredients. 

3.10 Workmanship. The end item shall conform to the quality of product 

established by this document and the occurrence of defects shall not exceed 

the applicable acceptable quality levels. 

4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS 

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MIL-R-44398B 

4.1 Contractor's responsibility. Inspection and acceptance by the Defense 

Contract management Command (DCMC), shall not relieve the contractor of 

obligation and responsibility to deliver a product complying with all the 

requirements of this specification. The contractor shall ensure product 

compliance prior to submitting the product to the DCMD for any inspection. 

4.1.1 Responsibility for compliance. All items shall meet all requirements 

of sections 3 and 5. The inspection set forth in this specification shall 

become part of the contractor's overall inspection system or quality program. 

The absence of any inspection requirements in the specification shall not 

relieve the contractor of the responsibility of ensuring that all products or 

supplies submitted to the Government for acceptance comply with all 

requirements of the contract. Sampling inspection, as part of manufacturing 

operations, is an acceptable practice to ascertain conformance to 

requirements, however, this does not authorize submission of known defective 

material, either indicated or actual, nor does it commit the Government to 

accept defective material. 

4.1.2 Responsibility for dimensional requirements. Unless otherwise 

specified in the contract or purchase order, the contractor is responsible 

for ensuring that all specified dimensions have been met. When dimensions 

cannot be examined on the end item, inspection shall be made at any point, or 

at all points in the manufacturing process necessary to ensure compliance 

with all dimensional requirements. 

4.2 Classification of inspections. The inspection requirements specified 

herein are classified as follows: 

a. First article inspection (see 4.3 and 4.3.1). 

b. Quality conformance inspection (see 4.4). 

4.3 First article inspection. When a first article is required (see 3.1 

and 6.2), one fully packed case of end items (level B or C as specified in 

the contract) shall be tested for rough handling in accordance with 4.3.1, 

and the first article shall be examined for the defects specified in 4.4.2 

and 4.4.3 and tested for the characteristics specified in 4.4.4. 

4.3.1 Rough handling. Individual shipping containers shall be vibrated in 

accordance with ASTM D 999, method A. Sample containers shall be vibrated 

for one hour at 268 cycles per minute. Subsequent to vibration testing, 

containers shall be dropped in accordance with ASTM D 5276, Objective B and 

Annexes. Constant height drop procedure and drop sequence described in A1.3 

for a cycle of ten drops shall be followed. The drop height shall be 21 

inches. 

4.4 Quality conformance inspection. Unless otherwise specified, sampling 

for inspection shall be performed in accordance with MIL-STD-105. 

4.4.1 Component and material inspection. In accordance with 4.1, 

components and materials shall be inspected in accordance with all the 

requirements of referenced documents unless otherwise excluded, amended, 

modified, or qualified in this specification or applicable purchase document. 

4.4.1.1 Material certification. A certificate of compliance may be 

acceptable as evidence that the heater and bag materials conform to the 

requirements specified in 3.7. A certificate of compliance may be accepted 

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MIL-R-44398B 

as evidence that the fiberboard shipping container conform to the fire 

retardant requirements specified in ASTM D 4727, sections 7.7.1 and 7.7.2, 

and are nontoxic and recyclable. 

4.4.1.2 Heater element weight examination. Heater elements shall be 

weighed without protective cover and heater bag. The lot size shall be 

expressed in units of heaters. The sample unit shall be one heater. The 

inspection level shall be S-2. Each heater element shall be weighed to the 

nearest gram. Any sample unit failing to meet the weight limit specified in 

3.4.1 shall be cause for rejection of the lot. 

4.4.2 Heater examination. The heaters (in heater bag) shall be examined 

for the defects listed in table I. The lot size shall be expressed in 

heaters. The sample unit shall be one heater. The inspection level shall be 

I and the acceptable quality level (AQL), expressed in terms of defects per 

hundred units, shall be 1.5. 

TABLE I. Heater visual defects

Category Defect

Major

101 Heater not formed as specified. 

102 Heater bag not formed as specified. 

103 Tear, hole, or open seal (visible channels). 

104 Required marking missing, incorrect, or illegible. 

105 Not material specified. 

106 Not clean.

107 Tear notch (or tear method) missing. 

108 Tear notch not located as specified. 

109 Crumbled, crushed or broken heater pad or heater pad 

opened, unsealed, and otherwise spilling contents. 1/ 

110 Protective cover not securely sealed or not sealed 

properly. 

112 Color of heater pad cover not as specified. 

113 Color of heater pad label not as specified. 

114 Required pictograph missing, incorrect, or illegible. 

1/ A crumbled, crushed or broken heater pad is one in which the protective 

cover is open and spilling its contents (i.e., greater than 1/8 by weight of 

a sintered heater pad or the contents of one or more cells of the protective 

cover of the powder style heater) or the protective cover is misshapen as a 

result of having been crushed, bent or otherwise mishandled. The presence of 

loose metal fragments and/or powders that are randomly distributed throughout 

the interior of the heater bag as the apparent result of static electric 

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MIL-R-44398B 

forces shall not be considered evidence of crumbled, crushed or broken 

heaters. 

4.4.3 Heater dimensional examination. The heaters shall be examined for 

conformance to the dimensions specified on Drawing 6-1-8920 and 3.4.1. Any 

dimension not within the specified tolerance shall be classified as a defect. 

The lot size shall be expressed in heaters. The sample unit shall be one 

heater. The inspection level shall be S-3 and the AQL, expressed in terms of 

defects per hundred units, shall be 4.0. 

4.4.4 Heater testing. The heaters shall be tested for the characteristics 

listed in table II. The lot size shall be expressed in heaters. The sample 

unit shall be one heater. The inspection level and the AQL, expressed in 

terms of defects per hundred units, shall be as specified in table II. 

TABLE II. Heater tests

Characteristic 

Requirement 

paragraph 

Test 

paragraph 

Inspection 

level 

Acceptable 

quality level 

Leakage 3.4.3 4.5.2 S-2 1.0

Heating performance 3.5.1 4.5.3 S-3 1.0 

Heater by-products 3.5.2 4.5.4 S-2 1.0 

Label 3.6 4.5.4.4 S-2 1.0

4.4.5 Shipping container examination. The fully packaged heaters shall be 

examined for the defects listed below. The lot size shall be expressed in 

units of shipping containers. The sample unit shall be one shipping 

container fully packaged. The inspection level shall be S-2 and the AQL, 

expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 2.5. 

Examine Defect

Marking (exterior and 

interior) 

Omitted; incorrect; illegible; of improper size, 

location, sequence, or method of application. 

Materials Any component missing, damaged, or not as specified. 

Workmanship Inadequate application of components, such as: 

incomplete sealing or closure of flap, improper 

taping, loose strapping, or inadequate stapling. 

Bulged or distorted container. 

Content Number per container is more or less than required. 

4.4.6 Unit load inspection. The fully packaged and palletized unit loads 

shall be examined for the defects listed below. The lot size shall be 

expressed in units of palletized unit loads. The sample unit shall be one 

palletized unit load, fully packaged. The inspection level shall be S-1 and 

the AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 6.5. 

Examine Defect

Finished dimensions Length, width, or height exceed specified maximum 

requirement. 

Palletization Pallet pattern not as specified. 

Load not bonded as specified. 

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MIL-R-44398B 

Weight Exceeds maximum load limits. 

Marking Omitted; incorrect; illegible; of improper size, 

location, sequence, or method of application. 

4.5 Methods of inspection. 

4.5.1 Heater weight. Each heater shall be weighed as specified in 

4.4.1.2. 

4.5.2 Leakage test. The heater shall be removed from the plastic bag. 

Fill the bag 3/4 full with water and fold over the top of the bag. Gently 

apply light pressure to sides of bag while holding the top of the bag closed 

to contain water. Observation of any dripping or steady flow of water 

through the bag's surfaces or seams or failure to meet the requirements of 

3.4.3 shall constitute failure of this test. 

4.5.3 Heater performance test. The heater shall be placed in a plastic 

tray no less than 7.5 inches long, 4.75 inches wide, and 1.75 inches deep 

with not more than 0.03 inch-thick tray walls. An MRE pouch (see 6.4) shall 

be filled with not less than 8 ounces of water in the temperature range of 

350

F to 450F fitted internally with a temperature measuring device, and placed 

on top of the heater. One end of the pouch shall be lifted and a quantity of 

water equal to or less than the amount used in 4.5.4 and not warmer than 720

F 

shall be poured on top of the heater. A lid shall then be placed on the tray 

and the time and temperature rise recorded for at least 15 minutes. The 

temperature rise as a function of time shall be recorded at each minute 

interval, by means of an electronic digital recording device which produces a 

legible copy of the data as it is obtained throughout the performance test. 

Failure to meet the requirements of 3.5.1 shall constitute failure of this 

test. 

4.5.4 Heater by-products. Following the instructions provided on the 

label of the bag, an 8 ounce MRE pouch (see 6.4) shall be inserted in the bag 

and the bag filled with water to the top indicator line to activate the 

heater. The MRE pouch shall be placed on a 150

 incline during the heating 

process. After 12 minutes the heater bag shall be op0ened and the contents 

of the bag and the label shall be inspected as specified below. 

4.5.4.1 Foreign odor. While the heating process takes place and after the 

bag has been opened, the emission of any unusual objectionable odors such as 

burning plastic/metal or sulfurous odors shall constitute a test failure. 

4.5.4.2 Residue. While the MRE pouch is still wet, it shall be inspected 

for white granular residue (magnesium hydroxide). Failure to meet the 

requirement in 3.5.2 shall constitute failure of this test. 

4.5.4.3 Residual water. After the MRE pouch has been removed, the 

residual water shall be poured out of the bag and measured. Failure to meet 

the requirement in 3.5.2 shall constitute failure of this test. 

4.5.4.4 Label and markings. The heater bag label and markings shall be 

inspected for legibility, tackiness, and separation from the bag. Failure to 

meet the requirement in 3.6 shall constitute failure of this test. 

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MIL-R-44398B 

4.5.5 Bag tear test. If the method to be used for tearing open the bag is 

to be different from the tear notch method shown on Drawing 6-1-8920, the 

acceptability of the method shall be determined by grasping the bag between 

the thumb and forefinger of each hand on either side of the arrow indicated 

on Drawing 6-1-8920 and pulling the bag apart in one pull. Failure to meet 

the requirement in 3.4.3 shall constitute failure of this test. 

 5. PACKAGING 

5.1 Preservation. Preservation shall be level A. 

5.1.1 Level A. Twelve heaters shall be arranged in a single stack, with 

heater positioned at the same end of the stack and the ends of the bags 

opposite the heater pads folded together underneath the stack. The stack of 

12 heaters shall be unit packed in a close-fitting bag fabricated from 0.003 

inch polyethylene. Excess air shall be manually expelled from the bag just 

prior to closing to maintain a close fit between the bag and contents. The 

bag shall be closed by heat sealing and shall be provided with tear notch 

located halfway along either short side of the bag. As an alternate to the 

polyethylene bag, the stack of 12 heaters may be inserted into a sleeve 

composed of a suitable heat shrinkable material and subsequently shrink 

wrapped. 

5.2 Packing. Packing shall be level B or C as specified (see 6.2). 

5.2.1 Level B packing. Two hundred and eighty-eight heaters, preserved as 

specified in 5.1, shall be packed in a snug-fitting, corrugated fiberboard 

shipping container conforming to style RSC-L, grade V3c of astm d 5118. The 

fiberboard shipping container (excluding the liner and pads) shall also be 

constructed of fire retardant fiberboard in accordance with type CF, class 

WR/FR variety SW, grade V3c of ASTM D 4727. The fire retardant fiberboard 

must pass the tests for flame spread index (ASTM E 162) and specific tests 

for optical density (ASTM E 662) as specified in ASTM D 4727. All flame 

retardant coatings/additives must be nontoxic and nonhazardous and must be 

capable of being repulped and recycled. Twenty-four unit packs shall be 

packaged on end and arranged eight in length, three in width, and one in 

depth, with the face of each pack against the box width panels. The box 

liner and top and bottom pads shall be fabricated with grade V3c fiberboard 

in accordance ASTM D 4727. When metal fasteners are used in the box 

manufacturer's joint, the fasteners shall be completely covered with 

pressure-sensitive tape. Each shipping container shall be closed in 

accordance with method 2A2 sealed in accordance with method V, and reinforced 

with nonmetallic strapping or pressure-sensitive adhesive filament-reinforced 

tape in accordance with ASTM D 1974. If fiberboard shipping containers are 

not specified to be palletized into unit loads, each shipping container shall 

be provided with a MSDS securely attached to one side in a clear plastic 

self-adhering sleeve or with tape. 

5.2.2 Level C packing. Heaters shall be packed in a manner to ensure 

carrier acceptance and safe delivery at destination at the lowest 

transportation rate for such supplies. The shipping container must conform 

with all provisions of 49 CFR Parts 171-180 (Hazardous Materials Regulations) 

for Division 4.3, Packing Group I materials, unless the contractor can 

certify that the heater is other than such or the Department of 

Transportation authorizes an official exemption from these provisions. The 

shipping container shall be in accordance with the National Motor Freight 

Classification or the Uniform Freight Classification, as applicable, except 

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MIL-R-44398B 

fiberboard containers shall be closed in accordance with method II, as 

specified in the appendix of PPP-B-636. When metal fasteners are used in the 

manufacture's joint or setup of the fiberboard box, the fasteners on the 

inside of the box shall be covered with tape or paperboard to protect 

contents from mechanical damage. If fiberboard shipping containers are not 

specified to be palletized in unit loads, each shipping container shall be 

provided with a MSDS securely attached to one side in a clear plastic, selfadhering sleeve or with tape. 

5.3 Palletization. Shipping containers shall be arranged in unit loads on 

a 40 x 48 inch or 48 x 40 inch double-wing partial 4-way entry commercial 

wood pallet. A 40 x 48 inch commercial fiberboard pad shall be positioned on 

the pallet before loading. Each load shall be bonded with shrink or stretch 

film. When shrink of stretch film is used, it must be applied low enough on 

the pallet to bond the load to the pallet. When stretch wrap is used, the 

pallet load shall be weather protected by placing a short pallet bag or 

plastic shroud over the top of the load after the completion of the first 

(bottom to top) wrap. Unit load dimensions shall not exceed 43 inches in 

width, and 54 inches in height. Each palletized unit load shall be provided 

with a MSDS securely attached to adjacent sides inside a clear plastic sleeve 

with tape or by using a self-adhering clear photo sleeve. In addition to the 

MSDS, the shipping papers must accompany the shipment and a copy must be 

placed in the vehicle manifest. 

5.4 Marking. In addition to any special marking required by the contract 

or purchase order, unit packs, shipping containers, and palletized unit loads 

shall be marked in accordance with MIL-STD-129. Unit packs shall be clearly 

marked with lot number, and date of pack. The top of the shipping container 

shall be clearly marked as follows: 

OPEN CAREFULLY IF USING KNIFE TO AVOID SLITTING CONTENTS 

For level C packed heaters, shipping containers and palletized unit loads 

shall be marked in accordance with 49 CFR Parts 171-180, for Division 4.3, 

Packing Group I materials, unless officially exempted by the Department of 

Transportation. 

6. NOTES 

(This section contains information of a general or explanatory nature that 

may be helpful, but is not mandatory). 

6.1 Intended use. The heater covered by this specification is intended for 

use in heating the Meal, Ready-to-Eat. 

6.2 Acquisition requirements. Acquisition documents must specify the 

following: 

a. Title, number, and date of this specification. 

b. Issue of the DODISS to be cited in the solicitation, and if 

required, the specific issue of individual documents referenced (see 2.1.1 

and 2.2). 

c. When a first article is required (see 3.1, 4.3. 4.3.3, and 6.3). 

d. Level of packing (see 5.2). 

6.3 First article. When a first article is required, it shall be 

inspected and approved under the appropriate provisions of Federal 

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MIL-R-44398B 

Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.209. The first article should be a 

preproduction sample. The contracting officer should specify the appropriate 

type of first article and the number of units to be furnished. The 

contracting officer should also include specific instructions in acquisition 

documents regarding arrangements for selection, inspection, and approval of 

the first article. 

6.4 Samples. For access to samples of MRE pouches, address the 

contracting activity issuing the invitation for bids or requests for 

proposal. 

6.5 Material safety data sheets. Contracting officers will identify those 

activities requiring copies of completed Material Safety Data Sheets prepared 

in accordance with FED-STD-313. The pertinent Government mailing addresses 

for submission of data are listed in FED-STD-313. 

6.6 Subject term (key word) listing. 

 Exothermic-chemical 

 Heating bag 

 Operational ration 

6.7 Changes from previous issue. Marginal notations are not used in this 

revision to identify changes with respect to the previous issue due to the 

extensiveness of the changes. 

 Custodians: Preparing activity: 

 Army - GL Army - GL 

 Navy - SA 

 Air Force - 50 (Project 8970-0171) 

Review activities: 

 Army - MD, QM 

 Navy - MC 

 DLA - SS 

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MIL-R-44398B 

AMSSB-RCF-FN (Valvano/4259) 1 May 2003 

TO: DSCP-HRAC (LeCollier/3625) 

Subject: ES03-116; Document Change; MIL-R-44398B Ration Supplement, Flameless 

Heater, For Meal Ready-to-Eat; Clarify dimensions for sintered heater pad 

only 

1. The U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, Soldier Systems 

Center (SBCCOM) is providing clarification for sintered heater pad 

dimensions. The dimensions cited in 3.4.1 do not apply to a newer heater 

element version. We recommend that DSCP implement the change to the 3.4.1 for 

all current, pending and future procurements until the subject document is 

formally amended or revised. 

Page 5; Para 3.4.1: in 2nd sentence, delete “Heater” and insert “When the 

sintering process is used to form heater pads, the sintered heater” 

2. The attached document file includes the new change. 

1 Attachment DONALD A. HAMLIN 

 Team Leader 

 Food Engineering Services Team 

 Combat Feeding Directorate 

 R Valvano 

CF: NSC: 

Aylward 

Friel CF: DSCP & SVCs: 

Hamlin Anthony Miller 

Hill Arthur Lowry 

 Beward Malason 

Richardson H. 

Richards Ferrante Salerno 

Sherman Galligan 

Trottier Kavanagh 

Valvano 

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