The large, canopy-like structure supported by what looks like scaffolding sits in Thom Browne's backyard of his Lacey home, creating an inviting scene for shelter from the sun at an outdoor barbecue.

But in actuality, it's something that has the potential to save an undetermined amount of servicemembers' lives at forward operation bases spread across hostile territories.

"I wake up every morning, go out there with my coffee, and ask myself, ‘How can I make it better?'" said Browne, a retired 1st Special Forces Group sergeant major who spent 24 years in the Army, including 10 as a Delta Force soldier. "It's been a constant project that we've been married to."

Browne, along with business partner Troy Costa, started Fifth Service Inc. three years ago, and the two have worked together during that time developing TOPkit (Tactical Overhead Protection kit). The free standing, Kevlar-covered canopy sits on a heavy-duty steel frame, and is designed to serve as a protective sheath over working and living quarters trailers at overseas bases. The kit snaps together like Legos and an eight-man crew can assemble it in about eight hours.

"Think of it as an umbrella," said Costa, who's known Browne for nearly 16 years.

Working for two years as a civilian combat advisor embedded with an active duty Army unit, Browne saw firsthand how servicemembers' lives were being threatened by small arms fire and mortars strikes while they worked and slept in trailers.

"(The trailers) aren't even as well made as a mobile home," said the 51-year-old Browne. "I said to myself, ‘We have to do something about this indirect fire.' I came home (to Washington) and started thinking about it really hard."

Last month, the pair financed a proof of concept test at a rural testing range near Bend, Ore. Oregon Ballistics Laboratories, an independent, government-certified lab, conducted a test that launched a 122-millimeter munition (the largest munitions insurgents are using in Iraq, according to Browne) onto the roof of the structure. TOPkit absorbed the blast, leaving two dummies rigged with sensor devices sitting underneath the canopy virtually unharmed.

"(The test) was a complete success," Costa said.

The pair now has a product - the ninth generation of the original design - that it believes is like no other in the world.

"The feeling is we're confident we've done our homework," Browne said. "We're the real deal."

With the design and manufacturing challenges now in the rearview mirror, Browne and Costa have now set their sights on marketing TOPkit to the U.S. Army. While marketing and sales is a relatively new frontier for both men, both believe wholeheartedly in their product.

"I know what the man on the ground is up against (in deployed locations)," Browne said. "This can save soldiers' lives."