Tents can be best defined as, portable refuge of canvas, skins, felt,
matting, or other material typically sustained by poles and used
primarily by nomads, hunters, and campers. Army Tents are designed for
temporary accommodation of people, military units in field conditions,
and for build up provisional medical posts, service areas, etc. These
tents are designed with allowance for different weather conditions. Army tents were developed by ancient peoples. These tents have been used by pastoral peoples since ancient times. They were widely used in Europe in the 17th and 18th century. These tents included the small, skin-covered tents of the Greeks and the Roman tents of canvas supported by two upright poles and a ridgepole. Medieval army tents were round or oval and were often lavishly hung with silks or furs. However, the present day army tents come in a variety of fabrics, styles and sizes, the most common one's include:
- Bell tents with a central pole.
- Army tents with sides sloping from a ridgepole.
- A large field tent used for mess or hospital shelters (The Marquee)
- Dome Tents - Domes have 50% more internal space than other tents and shed rain and snow very well. Domes are lightweight and freestanding, which means that they do not have to be staked to set up.
- A-Frame style - This design is based on the old Army pup tents. Such tents are freestanding, lightweight and have good ventilation.
- Hoop tents - These tents are usually employed when saving weight is the major goal. These tents are not free standing, but they save weight by requiring less pole material and having a generally lower profile.
The Fabric used
Army tents are made of a remarkable quality fabric. This fabric is highly water-repellant while at the same time being very breathable. The fabric is tightly woven 100% cotton. These tents are so designed that normal moisture build-up within the tent passes freely through the fibers, creating a very comfortable living environment, making it cooler in the summer and more comfortable in the winter. When it rains the fibers swell to make the tent even more water repellant. The roof becomes very taught, preventing water from pooling at the eaves.
Significant Innovation
The latest innovation in Army Tents is the development of tents and their fabrics made with flexible solar panels that can provide up to one kilowatt of energy, enough power to run devices such as laptops and lights. The new technology aims to make military missions safer and more energy-efficient. Such capabilities would ultimately make travel safer for soldiers in countries during wartime, since, extra battery packs carried by troops are sometimes left behind, providing unnecessary hints to enemy forces. They're lightweight, quiet, and require no maintenance. They also solve the logistical challenges of initial military deployment by eliminating the need for generators and fuel. These portable solar-powered tents are perfect for rapid deployment command centers, barracks, and medical facilities in remote locations.
