U.S. Marine Corps Selects ENVELOP® Covers for Howitzers and HIMARS
Next-generation protective covers improve military readiness
By reducing corrosion, requiring less maintenance
EAGAN, Minn. (Nov. 2, 2007) - The U.S. Marine Corps recently selected Envelop Protective Covers for all of its howitzers and High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) vehicle-borne re-supply cranes. Envelop covers are manufactured and sold by Shield Technologies Corporation.
"These multi-million dollar, combat-critical assets traditionally have been covered with simple canvas and vinyl covers; yet they endure harsh environments that necessitate frequent, costly repair of corrosion to metal and electrical components," said Master Gunnery Sergeant U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) Phil Simoes, who now serves as director of customer service for Envelop's ground forces market.
He continued, "The use of Envelop covers will free Marines from hours of preventive maintenance and repairs, allowing them to focus on mission-critical assignments."
U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager for Fire Support Systems, James Ripley, added: "The most important function of this cover is that it wicks moisture away from the protected weapon system. By removing moisture under the cover, we dramatically reduce corrosion and the subsequent need to paint and preserve, especially for weapons stored in high humidity environments, like coastal areas and the well decks of amphibious ships."
Next generation cover technology
Originally developed in conjunction with the U.S. Navy through a Small Business Innovative Research Grant, Envelop Protective Covers are a significant advancement in cover technology.
"These covers are waterproof from the outside but also breathable; they allow moisture vapor to evaporate from underneath, so they reduce rust," said Simoes, adding, "They are the only covers that incorporate special materials to absorb condensation and water trapped underneath the cover and
hold it away from the metal being protected, until it evaporates through the outer cover. In addition, long-life vapor corrosion inhibitors released into the enclosed atmosphere prevent oxidation. The four layers work together to reduce corrosion by as much as 90 percent over other options - a design protected by three patents."
In one Navy application, the use of an Envelop custom-fitted cover saved an estimated $30,000 in damage and maintenance costs for a 25mm gun in just the first two years, by reducing maintenance and repair. Simoes added, "In reducing maintenance time, Envelop covers also improve readiness for the asset and its operators."
Now available for ground forces
The U.S. Marine Corps has ordered covers for all of its M198 and M777 lightweight 155 mm howitzers, as well as for its HIMARS cranes and a number of other ground, aviation and maritime weapons and equipment. The covers are custom-designed, which will safeguard both the large equipment pieces and the sub-assemblies, such as the M777's new digital fire control system.
Deliveries have already begun for the 10th and 11th Marine Regiments. In addition, Envelop covers were recently delivered to the U.S. Marine Detachment at the U.S. Army Field Artillery School in Fort Sill, Okla., to be included in training for new Marine cannoneers.
In addition to protecting all U.S. Marine Corps artillery, Envelop covers are available for more than 150 unique Navy assets on every class of surface ship and dozens of additional pieces of equipment for the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard.
A 2003 Government Accountability Office study calculated the U.S. military costs of corrosion at $20 billion annually - identified by the Pentagon as the military's highest controllable cost.
About ENVELOP® Protective Covers
Envelop Protective Covers are the next generation of environmental and operational covers, replacing ineffective vinyl tarps and corrosion-inhibiting chemicals that contaminate the environment. Envelop covers were originally developed to protect military weapons and other assets from water, salt, humidity, sand and other sources of environmental degradation. Validated in the Navy's ocean-going environment, Envelop covers have proven to dramatically reduce maintenance time for military assets, and they are the only soft covers approved by the U.S. Navy for topside weapons and equipment. More than 14,000 Envelop covers are now used by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and allied navies. They are also available for consumer and industrial applications such as oil and gas machinery, commercial shipping, amusement parks, airplanes, gun cases and cruise ships. Shield Technologies Corporation is headquartered in Chicago, Ill., with operations in the Twin Cities suburb of Eagan, Minn.
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