Clima Customer Spotlight: UTS Systems

When the U.S. Air Force was looking for a lightweight, durable, and energy-efficient shelter solution, they turned to UTS Systems. Based in Fairfield, Virginia, the small business with large-scale expertise now holds a 10-year contract with the Air Force worth $52 million.

“Really what’s important about this for UTS is that this gets us the acceptance and standardization of our products across, not only the Air Force, but other services,” Michael Tyson, vice president of programs at UTS, said about the expansion of their existing contract with the military.

The company manufactures a complete line of rapidly deployable shelters that incorporate a patented frame that can be assembled in under 10 minutes without tools. Built for a variety of applications and tested for deployment in the most extreme environments, the UTS shelters use state-of-the-art materials and technical innovation. Whatever the mission, these soft-wall shelters turn into modular complexes that protect expeditionary personnel from the elements and other hazards.

The new shelter ordered by the Air Force will be the most energy-efficient solution to date, vastly reducing the amount of fuel required to operate. Incorporating the UTS RKTX® (Response Kit for Temperature eXtremes) Insulated Liner, this shelter provides a comfortable operating environment while the temperatures outside may range from -60°F to 120°F. In addition, the UTS RKTX® Insulated Liner is compliant with flame resistance (ASTM 6413) and fungus resistance (AATCC 30) norms. Finally, the shelter’s design incorporates innovative air gap technology which adds to the stability of the shelter’s internal environment.

To create the UTS RKTX® Insulated Liner, a layer of ultra-lightweight, compressible, and flame-resistant Climashield® PROTECT-FR is encased between layers of FR nylon ripstop. Designed especially for deployment in heavy-duty shelters and workwear, PROTECT-FR provides protection against extreme temperatures and momentary exposure to flames while maintaining all of Climashield®’s signature properties. Thanks to its continuous filament structure, PROTECT-FR is durable and hard-wearing, making it an ideal solution for equipment that is frequently folded and unfolded or subjected to repeated industrial wash cycles.

UTS Systems operates three manufacturing sites in Virginia, Florida, and Ohio, with a total workforce of 150. The Fairfield facility, where UTS military shelters are produced, supplies not only the Air Force but also the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. The plant is currently expanding its workforce to meet the requirements of the new contract.

“UTS has been a cornerstone in the northern part of Rockbridge County, and this contract ensures the continued sustainability of the company and its contribution to our economic vitality,” adds Tyson.