JACKSONVILLE, FL — Snowbird Technologies announced the successful operational assessment of its SAWG-150 Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) during the 2026 Combined Sustainment Training Exercise (CSTX), where Soldiers evaluated the system’s ability to provide reliable potable water in an austere operational environment.
The assessment was conducted as part of the OSJ 2026 CSTX Sustainment Future Capability Directorate evaluation and focused on the SAWG-150’s ability to reduce water distribution and storage requirements, provide potable water at the point of need, and support expeditionary operations. The final assessment report described the SAWG-150 as an effective solution for producing water at the point of need and reducing reliance on traditional water distribution and storage. The system was evaluated using Soldier feedback, measured data, device data, and ground-truth observations collected during the exercise.
During CSTX, the SAWG-150 produced at least 150 gallons of potable water per day in high-heat and high-humidity conditions. Over a two-day period, the system averaged 11.7 gallons per hour, corresponding to an estimated 233 gallons during a 20-hour operational day under similar environmental conditions. Fuel-to-water production ranged from approximately 1:8 to 1:9.
The system’s performance demonstrated the potential for atmospheric water generation to provide an independent water source in environments where traditional water distribution may be difficult, delayed, or logistically burdensome.
Water produced by the SAWG-150 was tested by military preventive medicine personnel during the assessment. Testing found that the water exceeded the potability requirements established in TB MED 577. The SAWG-150 also incorporates remineralization following water collection and purification to restore taste, pH balance, and trace electrolytes including calcium and magnesium.
The assessment also included a blind taste test involving SAWG-150 water, commercial bottled water, tap water, and water from the training unit’s water buffalo. Soldiers overwhelmingly preferred the water produced by the SAWG-150 over the included alternatives.
The SAWG-150 is a self-contained, self-powered, portable system designed to extract potable water directly from ambient air. The system draws humid air through filtration, condenses atmospheric moisture, and processes the collected water through advanced filtration, ozone treatment, and ultraviolet sterilization before storage for on-demand use. The system can also collect water through a rainwater catchment system. During CSTX, the system was evaluated specifically against the military requirement for reliable, flexible, and expeditionary water solutions capable of supporting sustainment in austere and contested environments. The assessment found that producing water at the point of need can reduce the logistical burden and risks associated with transporting water, while supporting greater force autonomy and operational endurance. The report identified potential for small, detached units and the initial phases of an operation before robust supply chains are established. Soldiers participating in the assessment reported that the SAWG-150 was simple and easy to operate, with personnel becoming comfortable with the system quickly, often after only a few minutes of instruction. The system was also praised for its mobility and the quality of the water produced.
“CSTX provided an important opportunity to put the SAWG-150 in the hands of Soldiers and evaluate the system against real operational requirements,” said Karl Wojtkun, Snowbird Technologies. “The results validate the core capability: producing potable water at the point of need while reducing dependence on traditional water distribution and storage. Just as importantly, the direct feedback from Soldiers gives us a clear path for continuing to refine the system for demanding field environments.”
For Snowbird Technologies, the results reinforce the company’s approach to expeditionary water technology: bring water production closer to the mission, reduce logistical burden, and provide a self-contained capability designed for operation in demanding environments.
Learn more about Snowbird Atmospheric Water Generators at https://wwwsnowbirdtech.com/awg.
About Snowbird Technologies
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Snowbird Technologies provides advanced manufacturing, environmental control, and atmospheric water generation solutions for defense, government, and commercial customers worldwide. The company specializes in ruggedized systems engineered to operate in extreme and austere environments, enabling mission success wherever it is required. Learn more at www.snowbirdtech.com.
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Caroline Brown Samsel
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Snowbird Technologies
cbrown@snowbirdtech.com
www.snowbirdtech.com
cbrown@snowbirdtech.com
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