SOLDIER POWER


Operational energy solutions focus on lightening the load and reducing the logistical burden, with encouraging results


by Steven Mapes T


ihe growth of technology in Soldier equip- ment brings greater power needs, thus increasing the load that a Soldier takes into the fight. Most devices run on commercial


or military standard lithium ion-batteries. Units oper- ating in the most austere environments traditionally have had to carry enough batteries to sustain all of their devices for up to 72 hours before having to resup- ply at a forward operating base (FOB).


Individual power requirements have long been an


afterthought to materiel developers as they continu- ally strive to create high-tech, Soldier-borne solutions. Breakthrough operational energy solutions at the indi- vidual Soldier level help to lighten the load and reduce the logistical burden. (See related article on Page 54.)


Soldier Power encompasses expeditionary solutions intended for the most austere operating environments. These solutions include power generation systems, power scavenging, renewable energy, power distribu- tion, management, and storage that are lightweight and can be worn or carried by Soldiers. Soldier power systems will be distributed to select units in FY13, and


Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier is scheduled to begin fielding the systems to 10 brigades per year, beginning in FY14.


In the past, the types of gear that Soldiers carried into battle had a low power requirement that a small amount of conventional batteries could address. As technologies mature and new power-consuming sys- tems are added to the Soldier’s load, we need to address how to reduce that load and eliminate the logistical footprint associated with battery resupply. The Army’s logisticians are very effective at pushing supplies, such as batteries, as far into the fight as the Soldiers need them. However, there is a great cost, both in dollars and in human lives, associated with getting these sup- plies onto the battlefield.


In a June 7, 2011, memorandum, Supporting the Mis- sion with Operational Energy (http://energy.defense. gov/OperationalEnergy-SpttoMission.pdf), GEN David H. Petraeus


(USA Ret.), then Commander,


International Security Assistance Force – Afghanistan and U.S. Forces – Afghanistan, said, “Changing the way we use operational energy will lighten the logistics


ASC.ARMY.MIL 13


ACQUISITION


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