Back to news

July 27, 2018 | International, C4ISR

How Army researchers are using software and analytics to maximize battlefield power

By:

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — As soldiers at every level become more connected and devices proliferate, the strain on the field-level power grid increases.

Staff at the Army's Research, Development and Engineering Command dove into the finer details of power management, auto tuning and analytics to drive how soldiers use power in the field.

Most of that work is focused around the tactical microgrid, basically the network of power that runs tactical operations.

Think thick cables, generators and all the power that lets the computers, radios and networks run to digest the vast amounts of information, communication and other electrical needs consumed by a modern military.

In the not-too-distant past, generator operators and technicians played a sophisticated guessing game that involved a clock, multimeter, flashlight and notepad to measure and mark which power supplies were running, at what level, and where they were on fuel.

But by adding digital capabilities and software-driven devices into the guts of what were simple analog generators and boxes full of copper wiring and switches, they have created a type of brain for what was formerly a mindless system.

That's resulted in the new Advanced Medium Mobile Power Source, the first new generator for the service in years.

The combination of that device, controllers within the system, and advanced software gives the soldier a centralized place to monitor and manipulate the different devices in the microgrid that will help the flow of power move to where its needed.

“I can tell you if you're using too many lights or computers on one of those three phase lines and if you're out of balance,” said Bradley Stanley, an RDECOM computer scientist.

By using software to make those readings, the end user can then shift the strain to other parts of the system, maximizing power output and fuel use for what can be 24-hour, days long operations.

Another software improvement in “autotuning” is helping make what can be a multi-person with expert training four-hour job into an automated procedure handled by the computer.

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/07/26/how-army-researchers-are-using-software-and-analytics-to-maximize-battlefield-power

On the same subject

  • U.S. Army issues full-material release for new M17, M18 handguns

    July 11, 2019 | International, Other Defence

    U.S. Army issues full-material release for new M17, M18 handguns

    By Ed Adamczyk July 10 (UPI) -- The new M17 and M18 handguns of Sig Sauer Inc. received full-material release notification from the U.S. Army, the company said, the final stamp of approval for military use. "Full-material release is a significant milestone for the MHS [Modular Handgun System] program and is the official determination that the U.S. Army has rigorously tested and evaluated the M17 and M18 handguns, and associated ammunition, to determine it as safe for use when operated within its stated parameters," a statement from the New Hampshire-based company said on Tuesday. The official approval came from the U.S. Army's Pitcatinny Arsenal in Rockaway Township, N.J. The U.S. Marine Corps adopted the new standard-issue pistol in June, a change in armament for the first time in 30 years. The M18 will replace the Beretta M9 starting in 2020. All branches of the U.S. military have now approved the new handgun. The M18 is a 9mm, striker-fired pistol, tan in color, with a stainless steel slide. It is equipped with front night sights and removable night sight rear plate, as well as a manual safety. It was developed my Sig Sauer in conjunction with Winchester Ammunition. The M17 offers the similar features but its barrel is about one inch shorter. The contract announced last week includes a stipulation that Army generals will receive specially-built pistols, referred to as GO handguns. GO handguns are "essentially an M18 with a distinguished serial number," Samantha Piatt of Sig Sauer said. "Additionally, each GO handgun is supplied with a large and small grip module in addition to the medium grip module it is configured with upon delivery." https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/07/10/US-Army-issues-full-material-release-for-new-M17-M18-handguns/7701562779567/

  • US Navy teams with Qualcomm to research 5G, artificial intelligence

    February 13, 2023 | International, C4ISR

    US Navy teams with Qualcomm to research 5G, artificial intelligence

    The new collaboration reflects the U.S. military's ambitions to invest in seamless connectivity and computer-augmented decision-making.

  • Heavy polar icebreaker questions mount for Coast Guard

    July 27, 2018 | International, Naval

    Heavy polar icebreaker questions mount for Coast Guard

    By: Andrew C. Jarocki WASHINGTON ― Potential funding woes and questions about the aggressive proposed timelines have cast doubts about the future of the Coast Guard's new heavy polar ice breaker. The Government Accountability Office is dubious the service's lone heavy polar icebreaker can make it to its proposed 2023 retirement date and questioned whether the Coast Guard's construction schedule was too optimistic. The Coast Guard is planing to replace the Polar Star with the new heavy icebreaker the same year, something GAO said may not be “realistic and feasible.” The watchdog noted the aging Polar Star could reach the end of its service life as soon as 2020, and the “highly optimistic” delivery date of the new vessel could be delayed and leave the service without a heavy polar icebreaker to defend strategic Arctic interests for several years. Vice Adm. Daniel Abel, deputy commandant for operations, recently told the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee at a hearing that the Polar Star is “limping along, and nothing with a US flag could rescue her [in the Arctic] if something happened, putting our polar capabilities at risk." To further complicate matters, House appropriators are currently debating cutting $750 million in funding for the Coast Guard. Vice Adm. Michael McAllister, deputy commandant for mission support, said at the hearing that the entire program schedule is at risk if the appropriations cut is finalized but that he remained confident that the Coast Guard is “well-poised to award the detailed construction contract in fiscal year 2019” for the heavy polar ice breaker. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2018/07/26/heavy-polar-icebreaker-questions-mount-for-coast-guard

All news