New Power Sources Needed For Soldier Of The Future
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Army should investigate alternative power
sources, such as fuel cells and small engines, to create longer-lasting,
lighter, cheaper, and more reliable sources of energy for the equipment
soldiers will use in the future, says a new report from the National
Academies' National Research Council. In addition, the Army should step
up its efforts to develop and acquire technologies that are more
energy-efficient, said the committee that wrote the report.
"The Army should immediately conduct a comprehensive analysis of power
sources for future dismounted soldiers, looking beyond today's standard
military batteries," said Patrick Flynn, committee chair and retired
vice president for research, Cummins Engine Company Inc., Columbus, Ind.
"Many commercial energy sources exist, but they are developed for a
consumer market, not the military. The Army must determine and select
the energy sources that are most relevant to its needs."
The Army will equip its future warriors through a program called "Land
Warrior," which, in addition to weaponry, includes high-tech electronics
that significantly increase soldiers' awareness of the combat
environment, such as helmets with visual displays, chemical and
biological sensors, radios, and portable computers. But these devices
are not energy-efficient and will need new power sources to operate
efficiently. The development, testing, and evaluation of these new
energy sources will be carried out under a program known as Future Force
Warrior.
The committee evaluated and prioritized options for supplying energy to
various low- and high-power applications on the battlefield. In addition
to disposable and rechargeable batteries, the committee considered fuel
cells, small engines, and hybrid energy systems such as those combining
a battery with a fuel cell, or a small engine with a battery. Existing
military batteries can provide enough power for computer displays,
radios, sensors, and electronics for a 12-hour mission, but longer
missions will require other technologies to efficiently power operations
lasting up to 72 hours. These include improved low-power electronics,
sophisticated power-management software, and "smart" hybrid energy
systems that automatically adjust to the soldier's operating environment
on the battlefield.
Some of the applications requiring a higher level of power -- an average
of 100 watts -- include portable battery rechargers; laser target
designator devices used to guide a rocket, missile, or bomb to its
target; and individual cooling systems for protective garments. For
these applications, the committee concluded that hybrid systems
operating on common military fuels would be needed.
Other devices designed to enhance soldiers' performance on the
battlefield use even more power, requiring between 1 and 5 kilowatts.
For example, the "exoskeleton," which consists of a pair of mechanical
metal leg braces and a backpack-like frame, literally takes the load off
a soldier's back, allowing him or her to carry large or heavy packs
without losing agility. To power such energy-intensive equipment, the
Army should consider use of lightweight engine generators, the report says.
Among all possible energy sources, hybrid systems provide the most
versatile solutions for meeting the diverse needs of the Future Force
Warrior, the committee said. The key advantage of hybrid systems is
their ability to provide power over varying levels of energy use, by
combining two power sources.
"Products historically have evolved to become more portable, mobile, and
wearable," Flynn said. "By integrating components and minimizing the
energy they consume, tomorrow's military equipment will help soldiers
operate in various conditions, extend the range and duration of their
operations, and minimize their vulnerability."
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The study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Army. The National
Research Council is the principal operating arm of the National Academy
of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. It is a private,
nonprofit institution that provide science and technology advice under a
congressional charter.