ORLANDO, 18 July 2009. RINI Technologies is one of 25 companies selected to participate in the U.S. Army's 2009 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP), which will enable RINI to finish development of its soldier cooling system, aid the company's move to manufacturing, and get the system in the hands of soldiers in the field more quickly.

RINI has signed a $600,000 contract with the Army's Natick Solider Center with plans to transition the product to the Army Air Soldier Program.

"A key milestone in the development process of innovative military technology is the transition from research and development to procurement," says Dan Rini, president of RINI Technologies. "The Army CPP is specifically designed to increase the success rate of that process for critical technologies. RINI is excited to be selected for this program."

The soldier cooling system, or Micro Climate Cooling System (MCCS), is the smallest, lightest, and most efficient personal cooling system yet developed, says Rini. The MCCS mitigates heat stress and health risk concerns by managing core body temperature and decreasing the risk of dehydration. As a result, soldiers are able to maintain cognitive skills, enhancing mission performance and duration.

The Commercialization Pilot Program was created under the 2006 National Defense Authorization Act in order to increase SBIR technology transition and commercialization success. The Army selected MILCOM Venture Partners to manage the CPP. The goal of the program is to put valuable technology in the hands of soldiers and benefit the nation through stimulated technological innovation, improved manufacturing capability, and increased competition, productivity, and economic growth.