The FSR is designed to provide mobile soldiers with a variety of foods that are lightweight, calorically dense, familiar, and which are more "easy to consume" than intermediate moisture foods.
Enhanced mobility – components are described as "familiar, performance-enhancing, eat-out-of-hand" foods that require little or no preparation by the soldier. The beverages are reconstituted (CamelBak compatible) and consumed right out of the pouch. No water is needed for food preparation, only for the beverage mix. The food takes the form of pocket sandwiches to be eaten by hand.[2]
Lightweight – when compared to three Meals, Ready-to-Eat, the FSR reduces the weight and volume of one day's subsistence by approximately 50%.
Characteristics – has a minimum two-year shelf life at 80 °F (27 °C) and provides an average of 2,900 calories per day. The FSR has nine meals per shipping container consisting of three each of three different menus up through 2010. Since 2011 there are 9 different meal combinations per shipping container.
Meals – Each pouch contains items for a breakfast, lunch, and a dinner, although there is no requirement to consume the items in any specific order.
