APRIL 7, 2025 – As the Air Force Medical Command continues to modernize its medical capabilities, the focus remains on mobility, adaptability, and sustainability in patient care across operational environments. Recently, critical field testing was conducted at Fort Detrick, Maryland, by AFMEDCOM’s capability development division. Within the division is A5T, its operational test organization, which led a team of subject matter experts to evaluate two innovative technologies designed to enhance expeditionary medical support: the Silent Tactical Energy Enhanced Dismount and a solar canopy system for remote medical operations.
Need for STEED: A game changer for aeromedical evacuation
Rapid and efficient patient transport can be the difference between life and death in high-intensity combat environments. Recognizing this, the Pacific Air Forces identified the need for an advanced casualty movement solution that could withstand challenging terrains while reducing the physical strain on medics. Enter STEED, an all-terrain, solar electric heavy-payload cart developed to improve rapid mobility and minimize musculoskeletal injuries during patient evacuations.
A five-person team of military health professionals, led by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alexander Ford, executed a 15-mile endurance test at Greenbrier State Park, Maryland, that simulated an aeromedical evacuation transport scenario.
“We’re always looking ahead to tomorrow’s battlefield and how we can speed up patient transport,” said Ford. “Moving a 300-pound casualty evacuation across rough terrain in an austere environment, allowing our teams to focus on delivering care instead of struggling with patient movement, is critical to saving lives.”
The test evaluated STEED’s performance across variable terrains, inclines, and climate conditions, ensuring the system meets PACAF’s standards for agile casualty evacuation in austere environments.
Solar Canopy: powering remote medical operations
As expeditionary medical teams push further into contested environments, adaptable power solutions have become a top priority. AFMEDCOM is testing a solar canopy system designed to support mobile medical units with reliable solar energy to address this.
AFMEDCOM’s A5T test team at Fort Detrick conducted manufacturer training and set up for the solar canopy, integrating it with TM-60 medical tentage. The system can run on both solar power and a traditional generator, providing long-term power output testing to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing reliance on traditional base operating support (BOS-I).
This dual-power capability aligns with the Agile Combat Employment model, ensuring that spoke medical units in PACAF and INDOPACOM areas of responsibility can maintain continuous medical operations in any condition. The solar canopy system can safeguard a medical unit’s energy source critical to powering life-saving equipment such as sterilizers and blood supply storage containers.
Shaping the future of expeditionary medical care
AFMEDCOM’s test and evaluation initiatives are critical in ensuring the Air Force and Space Force are equipped with the best tools to support warfighters in any operational environment. Work to integrate technology like STEED and solar canopy systems represents the force’s unending pursuit of advancing medical mobility and adaptability, reinforcing the AFMS’ commitment to delivering life-saving care – anytime, anywhere.
Courtesy Story
Air Force Medical Service