The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has awarded a contract to Humanihut for rapidly deployable military camps.
The South Australian-based company will supply its Humanihut Field Infrastructure System (HFIS) for four camps, with each, depending on the configuration, able to accommodate and support up to 256 personnel.
Delivery of HFIS units is expected to commence in coming months.
Designed and manufactured in Australia and already in ADF and Commonwealth service, HFIS is a redeployable temporary infrastructure used to provide accommodation and facilities for deployed military personnel or populations displaced by natural disasters. More than 560 HFIS modules have been deployed worldwide to date.
“The Humanihut Field Infrastructure System is widely recognised in the emergency services and deployable infrastructure markets both domestically and internationally. However, our presence in the defence sector is not as established – something we are actively working to change,” Neale Sutton, managing director of Humanihut told DTR in late March.
“This contract marks what we hope will be the first step in a long-term strategic collaboration between the ADF and an Australian-owned and operated company,” Mr Sutton added.
Fully customisable, the HFIS design features a system of rigid folding walls that allows eight huts to pack into a standard 20ft ISO container for efficient transportation and storage. Seals at all folds provide a complete environmental barrier against rain, dust, sand and airborne debris and allow for highly efficient climate control of interior spaces. Hut walls and roof are insulated and fire retardant and provide significantly higher thermal and noise insulation compared to fabric-based deployable tents. Huts have a 20-year lifespan and can accommodate eight people including bunk beds, mattresses, black-out curtains and privacy screens.
HFIS is deployed as a complete turn-key, stand-alone solution, with all components, accessories and necessary utilities integrated to allow for ease of deployment and set-up (refer image below). This also allows the HFIS to operate independently without access to mains water, power and wastewater infrastructure. Alternatively, it can be connected to main services.
Humanihut technology is deployable using existing ADF logistics assets, streamlining rapid entry into service and delivery of capability. Mr Sutton said Humanihut is also committed to further reducing its logistics footprint by exploring renewable technologies in collaboration with leading Australian companies.
Published in Defence Technology Review magazine 3 April 2025
