Powering the U.S. Army of the Future (2021) / Chapter Skim
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7 Forward Operating Base Power
7 Forward Operating Base Power
Pages 92-104
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From page 92... ...
Of particular concern, centralizing the power supply into one or more larger units may adversely impact warfighting because of concentrated single target vulnerability and somewhat reduced mobility. Another key consideration related to power supply vulnerability on forward operating bases is detection avoidance.
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From page 93... ...
The same opportunities available to ground vehicles are applicable to generator sets supporting forward operating bases. Improvements in efficiency are particularly important as they shorten the fuel supply line and therefore reduce the risk of soldiers and contractors involved in fuel transport.
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From page 94... ...
Such systems can provide primary power or emergency power on fixed Army bases. Conclusion: SOFC power systems would offer the same advantages and disadvantages in semi-permanent operating bases as in the commercial market.
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From page 95... ...
The 5-year project will demonstrate an "inherently safe" prototype reactor.5 In order to deploy such a system, the Army must address integration needs such as transportation, installation, operation, and removal. Particular challenges will include methods to provide requisite visibility and security associated with the nuclear material contents during all phases, and methods to provide appropriate physical protection using various local materials or transportable modules.
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From page 96... ...
However, literature and briefings provided to the committee characterize MDO as highly mobile, with hours-long halts at the longest, to minimize force vulnerability. With no base camps being established, it would be impractical to use a nuclear reactor (or any prime power source)
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From page 97... ...
So, although energy dense, these nuclear power plants would not provide the power capability needed for an all-electric combat vehicle fleet. An additional program of note, in the Department of Energy, is the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.
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From page 98... ...
In the context of tactical military operations, key challenges include rugged packaging to provide high levels of assurance against personnel exposure and reliable ways to automate material tracking and accountability. In any event, each energy source (combustion, nuclear, renewable, etc.)
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From page 99... ...
of greater than 48 percent. Conclusion: Given their high net electric thermal efficiency, a wheel mounted linear generator running on JP8 fuel could be as mobile as the Army's present MEP-PU-810 DPGDS Prime Power Unit (PPU)
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From page 100... ...
. This microgrid concept integrates multiple power sources to achieve optimum power performance, improving
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From page 101... ...
Army Corps of Engineers, and co-technical manager for the technology demonstration. "That's the ability of the commander to utilize any power source on the battlefield whether it's traditional generators, energy storage, vehicles with onboard exploitable power, and eventually host-nation power."7 The STAMP program is based on science and technology products from the Army's Energy Informed Operations program.
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From page 102... ...
Vehicle Electric Power Sources for Microgrids In addition to the above-mentioned dedicated mobile generators, a number of onboard vehicle power generation options can be used to feed a microgrid. • Vehicle alternators.
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From page 103... ...
Steffen, 2015, "Inline Starter Generators (ISG) and Improved Motor Components for Electric Power Supply and Hybrid Drives in Vehicles," in Proceedings of the 2015 Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS)
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From page 104... ...
As just one example, the Hybrid Bradley Fighting Vehicle now being developed as a retrofit under a $32 million Army contract could provide up to 735 kW of electricity and be more mobile and maneuverable than the 60 kW AMMPS and 840 kW MEP-PU-810 DPGDS, both of which need to be towed to the battlefield by a truck. Conclusion: In the future, the ability to use onboard vehicle electricity from a variety of mobile platforms, both tactical and tracked, will enable microgrids for mobile command centers to be quickly set up under a variety of terrain conditions, including soft ground, where trailer towed Mobile Electric Power Solution systems cannot reach.
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