U.S. Military Introduces New Close Combat Assault Ration for Modern Warfare
The U.S. military has introduced a new field ration called the Close Combat Assault Ration (CCAR), designed to meet the demands of modern warfare. This new ration is smaller, lighter, and more nutritious than its predecessors, such as the Meal Ready-to-Eat (MRE) and the First Strike Ration. The CCAR was developed by the Combat Feeding Division at DEVCOM Soldier Center in Natick, Massachusetts, in response to the evolving nature of conflicts, which often involve small, widely dispersed units operating without easy resupply. The design allows troops to carry more meals, with five days' worth of nutrition fitting into the footprint previously occupied by a three-day ration. The CCAR includes entrees and multiple smaller components, like bars and trail mix, to facilitate 'grazing' throughout the day, allowing soldiers to consume nutrition as needed during dynamic operations. Testing indicated that troops consumed more calories with the CCAR, partly due to its improved taste and slightly higher fat levels, whic... 
