INTERNEWSTIMES.COM
In a scenario that could be straight out of a comedy sketch, the Canadian Army has found itself in a rather embarrassing situation. Their new, state-of-the-art sleeping bags, designed to keep troops warm in even the harshest Canadian winters, have failed to meet the mark, leaving soldiers shivering in the cold.
The new General Purpose Sleeping Bag System (GPSBS), a $34.8 million investment, was put to the test last fall during a training exercise in Ram Falls Provincial Park, Alberta. Temperatures dipped to -20°C at night, and despite using both the inner and outer shells of the sleeping bags and sleeping in heated tents, soldiers reported feeling uncomfortably cold.
This unexpected failure has led to a rather ironic situation: the Canadian Army is now forced to issue troops heading to an Alaskan military exercise in January with vintage sleeping bags from the 1960s. These older models, which the new system was designed to replace, are considered more reliable for extreme cold weather conditions.
The Department of National Defence (DND) has acknowledged the shortcomings of the GPSBS and has initiated a separate procurement process for an Extreme Cold Weather Sleeping Bag System (ECWSBS) to address the shortcomings of the current system. However, this raises questions about the DND’s procurement process and the thoroughness of their testing procedures.
Defence expert Rob Huebert of the University of Calgary expressed concern about the DND’s decision to purchase the new sleeping bags, stating, “I wonder if they should have just gone to Canadian Tire.” He highlighted the importance of testing new equipment to ensure it meets the necessary standards, particularly in extreme environments.
The DND maintains that the GPSBS was chosen following a rigorous competitive process, taking into account insulation value, weight, and packing volume. However, the department did not answer directly when asked what sort of cold weather testing was done before purchasing the sleeping bags.
This incident raises concerns about the DND’s procurement processes and the potential for costly mistakes when it comes to equipping the Canadian Armed Forces for challenging environments. It also highlights the importance of listening to the feedback of soldiers who are on the front lines and experiencing the equipment firsthand.
This situation also underscores a common issue in military procurement: the tendency to “reinvent the wheel” by seeking out new and innovative solutions when proven, reliable alternatives already exist. The old Arctic sleeping bags, while perhaps not as “modern” as the GPSBS, have a proven track record of keeping soldiers warm in extreme conditions.
The Canadian Army’s experience with the GPSBS serves as a reminder that even with advanced technology, there’s no substitute for rigorous testing and real-world experience when it comes to equipping troops for challenging environments. It also highlights the importance of relying on proven solutions when they exist, rather than always seeking out something new and untested. (Red)
