800-295-9595 Sign In | Create an Account Sets, Kits, and Outfits – Modernization for Engineer Tool Loads by Tabitha Weaver | May 18, 2020 | Product Knowledge, Tool Kits | 0 comments Chances are high you’ve come across one of Kipper Tool Company’s engineering kits in your time of service. But, did you know about the history and development of these kits? Through a longstanding relationship with The Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, Kipper Tool has developed innovative tool solutions for Army Engineers for over 20 years, and is proud to continue with tool load modernization for many years to come. Standard Engineering Outfits are collections of tools and equipment used for a certain role or to complete a certain task. An Outfit can be comprised of multiple Sets, which are used by a group of soldiers (squads or platoons), and Kits, which are used by individual soldiers. These are more commonly referred to as Sets, Kits and Outfits, or SKOs. SKOs are all integral to the mission, and each individual proponent carries a load of resources essential to its’ specified role – included equipment is carefully selected after research and field testing, and is based on multi-use availability, sustainability, and compatibility across multiple kits. As required by the Army, each load is accompanied by a tool locator guide that identifies individual tools and accessories by location, part number and NSN. Kipper Tool kits also include high-resolution images of the tool container layouts, and often include high-density foam cutouts for the tools, allowing for a much faster inventory process. Currently, there are over 20 different types of Engineering SKOs developed by Kipper Tool active in the field, including: Carpenter’s Tool Kits (Squad and Platoon Levels) Base Maintenance Woodworking Shop Equipment Sets Table Saw and Router Kits Multisaw and Drill Kits Pneumatic Nailer and Compressor Kits Mason Squad Tool Sets Electrician’s Squad Tool Sets Multiple Pipefitter’s Tool Kits Pioneer Tool Sets (Squad and Platoon Levels) Corded and Cordless Power Tool Kits, and more. New Engineer Standard SKOs were created with the express purpose of modernizing an existing tool system that had been in place for many years without updates. Tools were difficult to repair, often didn’t include access to manufacturer warranties, and were cumbersome for the tasks which they were developed. In 1997, the Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri initiated a directive to upgrade all SKOs, bringing innovation to tool kits that had not been updated in several years prior. As part of that directive, the full collection of Standard Engineer SKOs were reviewed with careful attention to improved safety features, extended kit use, and other key attributes in order to increase speed of mission accomplishment. A few items that have been implemented during SKO modernization efforts include: Increased battery run-time and power capabilities Additional safety switches, requiring both a thumb and finger present to operate equipment Safety guards Ergonomic handles on hand tools Higher-quality hearing protection, exceeding current standards Improved overall weight – a lighter tool load is easier on the soldier, allowing for longer use without fatigue or increased risk of injury Laser-cut lines on saws to ensure accurate cuts, decreasing wasted time and material Increased durability of individual tools and accessories New government standards for silica dust control, and more. With the rising prevalence of cordless power tools, there have been many changes in the market. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have taken the place of nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride powered tools, replacing cumbersome power tools with a lightweight option that is able to be stored for months without losing a charge. Lithium-ion batteries also offer a higher energy density, or Watt-hours, in a smaller package size, making them more efficient and versatile than their counterparts. This innovation has paved the way for a new line of power tools that weren’t yet possible when the original Engineer Standard SKOs were developed. For example, Dewalt (a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker), recently released a new product called the Flexvolt™ – a battery that automatically changes its voltage for each tool it is used with. The use of battery-operated equipment in lieu of their gas-operated counterparts allows for a smaller transit footprint, reduces noise during use, and eliminates the need to transport flammable liquids. In addition to industry innovation, several new safety standards have been implemented throughout the course of the last several years. In 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released the “Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction,” which warns of the increased risk facing construction workers who are exposed to crystalline silica. New requirements for engineering and work practice control methods for handheld power saws state that the saw must be equipped with an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade – so, any soldiers currently working with outdated equipment need a fast way to either retrofit their current tools or to order OSHA-compliant tools as a replacement for their kits. The fastest way for SKO modernization is for the Army to partner with commercial suppliers who can acquire NSNs for new products and offer them for purchase through GSA Advantage, or various other government contracts. Innovation is the greatest force multiplier for our armed forces, and Kipper Tool is proud to offer complete solutions for tool load modernization. Army Engineers occupy such an integral role in our armed forces – it makes sense to be equipped with the best tools and equipment the industry has to offer. Feel free to share photos or end-user stories of your experience with Standard Engineer SKOs with Chris or Tabitha by email. Recent Posts Kipper Tool Company Secures $9m+ Contract with United States Army Sets, Kits, and Outfits – Modernization for Engineer Tool Loads Kipper Tool Company Receives Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Contract Kipper Tool Company Secures $46.8m+ Contract with US Army Recent Comments © 2020 Kipper Tool Company All Rights Reserved. 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