The Blacklite® Carbon Fiber Litter by Epsilon Composite / Blacklite Composites is the lightest and most compact rigid stretcher in the world — weighing just 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) and packing into a 16 × 4 × 4 inch MOLLE-compatible bag that mounts directly to a vest, medical pack, or combat rig. Built from advanced carbon fiber poles and a reinforced canvas bed, it deploys in 30 seconds with a maximum load of 330 lb (150 kg), and has been operationally fielded by Special Forces units since 2020 with a lifetime warranty on composite parts.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Epsilon Composite / Blacklite Composites |
| Weight | 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) |
| Packed Dimensions | 40 × 10 × 10 cm (16.0″ × 4.0″ × 4.0″) |
| Deployment Time | 30 seconds |
| Maximum Recommended Load | 150 kg (330 lb) |
| Frame Material | Carbon fiber (retractable poles) |
| Bed Material | Reinforced black canvas with 2 integrated carry straps and central stiffener |
| Bag Attachment | MOLLE-compatible; mounts vertically or horizontally to vest, bag, or rig |
| Composite Parts Warranty | Lifetime |
| Manufacturing Defect Warranty | 2 years |
| Operational Use | Deployed by Special Forces units since 2020 |
| Product Type | Patient Transport / Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) |
Key Features
Who Is This For?
SOF medics operating in austere, high-mobility environments need CASEVAC capability that does not compromise load or mobility. The Blacklite® provides rigid litter support in a 5.5 lb package that MOLLE-mounts directly to existing kit — solving the chronic problem of choosing between litter capability and operational mobility.
In high-casualty environments and mass casualty (MASCAL) events, lightweight litters that deploy without mechanical complexity reduce evacuation time and allow medics to work with fewer personnel per casualty. The Blacklite® supports rapid packaging and movement when seconds translate directly to outcomes.
Tactical EMS medics embedded with SWAT, HRT, and law enforcement special operations teams face the same operational calculus as military counterparts — carry weight constraints, fast movement, and the need for patient packaging capability that doesn't compromise team mobility or medical bag organization.
Mountain rescue, wilderness SAR, and technical rescue teams routinely operate in terrain where improvised litters are inadequate and standard metal-frame litters are impractical to carry in. The Blacklite® bridges that gap — providing a verified rigid litter in a form factor that integrates with existing SAR packs.
The compact packed profile (16 × 4 × 4 in) and MOLLE-compatible bag make the Blacklite® compatible with airborne operations and helicopter insertion/extraction missions where equipment size and attachment security are critical constraints.
Deployment & Use
The Blacklite® is engineered for solo or two-operator deployment under time and stress constraints. The following sequence applies in most operational contexts:
- Extract from bag: Pull the quick-release tab to remove the litter from its MOLLE bag. The bag remains attached to the vest or pack — it does not need to be removed from the carrier.
- Extend the poles: Separate the two retractable carbon fiber poles by pulling them apart from the packed configuration. They lock into the extended position automatically.
- Lay out the canvas bed: The reinforced canvas unfolds between the two poles with the central stiffener providing rigidity. The litter is now fully deployed and ready for patient placement.
- Position and secure the patient: Lower the casualty onto the litter bed and use the 2 integrated canvas straps to secure the patient during movement. Avoid rapid lateral movements until the patient is secured.
- Conduct the evacuation: The litter supports up to 150 kg (330 lb). Carriers grip the carbon fiber poles directly — the poles are engineered for grip retention without additional handles.
Available Options & Accessories
The Blacklite® system supports a range of accessories designed to expand patient care capability in field conditions:
- Head cushion: Provides cervical support and patient comfort during evacuation, particularly relevant in spinal injury protocols.
- Survival blanket or bag: Thermal protection for casualty packaging in cold-weather or austere environments where hypothermia is an acute risk.
- Heating pads: Auxiliary thermal support for extended evacuations or prolonged field care (PFC) scenarios.
- Additional carrying straps: Extended strap kits for multi-carrier extractions over difficult terrain.
Contact MED-TAC International for accessory availability and configuration guidance.
Why the Blacklite®? Context for the Serious Operator
Patient transport equipment has historically forced a compromise: carry a capable rigid litter and accept the weight and bulk penalty, or rely on improvised carries that offer no structural spine protection and significantly higher re-injury risk.
The Blacklite® was designed specifically to eliminate that tradeoff. At 5.5 lb and the packed footprint of a hydration bladder, it removes the weight and volume arguments that have kept litters out of forward-deployed medical kits for decades. Most standard rigid NATO litters weigh 16–18 lb (7–8 kg) and pack down to nothing smaller than a large panel — functionally impossible to carry in most tactical configurations.
The Blacklite® converts that conversation: it is light enough to be a standard carry item rather than a dedicated litter bearer's load. Its operational validation by Special Forces units — the most weight-critical, load-disciplined formations in any military — confirms that it has passed the real-world performance test that no laboratory specification can replicate.
For units building out a complete medical bag system or configuring a tactical medical backpack, the Blacklite® integrates directly into the MOLLE architecture — no modifications, no adapters, no separate carriage solution required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Blacklite® compare in weight to a standard NATO rigid litter?
The Blacklite® weighs 5.5 lb (2.5 kg), which is approximately 3× lighter than a standard NATO rigid aluminum litter, which typically weighs 16–18 lb. This weight difference is operationally significant — it represents the difference between a litter being a dedicated load item versus something every medic or team member can carry as a standard component.
What MOLLE configurations does the transport bag support?
The Blacklite® transport bag attaches via standard MOLLE webbing and is designed to mount in three orientations: horizontally along the bottom of a medical pack, vertically along the side of a bag, or directly onto a combat vest. This flexibility ensures the litter remains accessible regardless of the specific kit configuration.
What is the maximum load capacity, and does it support a patient in full combat kit?
The Blacklite® has a maximum recommended load of 150 kg (330 lb). A fully equipped infantry soldier in combat kit — including body armor, plate carrier, and load-bearing equipment — typically weighs 90–130 kg total system weight. The 330 lb capacity comfortably accommodates this range.
Can the Blacklite® be used for spinal injury cases?
The Blacklite® provides a rigid flat surface suitable for spinal precaution positioning during field evacuation. The optional head cushion accessory adds cervical support. As with any field litter, definitive spinal immobilization remains a clinical decision made by the treating provider. The rigid pole-and-canvas construction prevents the lateral flex associated with improvised carries.
What does the warranty cover, and for how long?
Epsilon Composite provides a lifetime warranty on composite (carbon fiber) parts — the structural poles and composite elements — against defects in material and workmanship. All other components are covered by a 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects. This represents an exceptional manufacturer commitment for a tactical medical device in this category.
Is the Blacklite® suitable for helicopter extraction (MEDEVAC/CASEVAC) operations?
Yes. The compact packed profile (16 × 4 × 4 in) and MOLLE attachment are specifically designed to be compatible with airborne and rotary-wing operations, where equipment size, weight, and secure attachment are essential constraints. The litter's rigidity makes it suitable for hoist and litter-strap insertion into rotary-wing platforms.
Who manufactured the Blacklite® and what is Epsilon Composite's background?
The Blacklite® is manufactured by Epsilon Composite, a French company specializing in the design and manufacture of carbon fiber composite parts and sub-assemblies. Epsilon Composite developed the Blacklite® in direct collaboration with combat first aid experts and Special Forces medical advisors. Blacklite Composites serves as the commercial distribution and branding entity for the product in the tactical medical supply market.
Build Your CASEVAC Kit
Patient transport capability is one component of a complete tactical medical system. Pair the Blacklite® with the following MED-TAC collections to build a comprehensive forward care and evacuation platform:
- Tactical Medical Backpacks — MOLLE-compatible platforms for the Blacklite® bag and medical supply organization
- EMS Bags & Backpacks — Soft and structural carry systems for forward deployed medical personnel
- Massive Hemorrhage Control — CoTCCC-recommended tourniquets, hemostatic gauze, and pressure dressings
- IFAK Kits — Individual first aid kits for self-aid and buddy-aid in tactical scenarios
- Airway Management — NPA kits, surgical airways, and BVM systems for prolonged field care
Specifications coming soon. Contact us for detailed product information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
