Advanced Portable Power

Advancements in telecommunications and electronic weaponry are key to a dismounted Soldier’s ability to leverage portable electronic equipment during combat. Laptops, GPS, night vision goggles, cellular phones, two way-radios, laser-designators, chemical-biological sensors, and other portable electronic devices require equally portable and sustainable DC power sources to maintain the Soldier’s technological advantage. Currently, primary batteries provide the majority of portable DC power for the dismounted Soldier; however, major drawbacks are added weight and low power density. For example, in a typical 72-hour mission, up to half of the rucksack weight for a dismounted Soldier outfitted with standard electronic gear is in primary batteries. This creates a logistical problem for Soldiers who must prioritize either extra batteries or adequate ammunition and supplies. The ever-growing power demands for the Soldier’s electronic gear exacerbates this dilemma. As this power gap widens and today’s Soldier becomes increasingly networked on the battlefield, portable DC power sources must provide much higher energy density than current state of the art can supply.