Hudson & Allen MRE Rations U.S. Army - 1117
Meal, Read to Eat rations evolved from the Viet Nam war LRRP rations. The "Long Range Recon Patrol" rations were requested for units involved in deep penetration operations. The requirements were ultrac lightweight, compact, and no cooking needed. Meals from the space program were adapted to this type ration. However many of the meals were dehydrated. The weight savings from C-rations was offset by the need to carry extre water.
By the end of the Viet Nam war advances in freeze drying, and other processes of food for space program and commercial use convinced the Armed Forces to adopt this type of ration. Since they require no preservation or preparation, they would be the "ideal" field combat ration. An opinion not shared by the troops. We have provided two types of boxes, the early type used until the mid 1980's used numbers for pack, test and inspection dares. The current boxes use bar codes.  
Eash box set comes with instructions on scoring, cutting, folding and gluing, along with a list of helpful tools.