In an increasingly high tech, electronic battlespace even in remote areas, power is always the limiting factor in many man-packable electronic force-multipliers and enablers. LLVI and LRS-D element mission times are generally constrained by how many batteries the troops can hump, not by Class I constraints. 125 lb mission rucks for a 72 hour mission by Soldiers carrying only basic loads and bare minimum food, water, and third line gear is not unusual. Hungry, cold, dehydrated, and fatigued at the start of the mission are normal for LLVI personnel.
The Orange Rock MicroGrid utilizes rechargeable Lithium-Iron-Phosphate batteries and has fantastic energy density relative to Its size, weight, and potential cost. It can be “juiced up” from almost any AC generator, shore power, vehicle power, or solar array. Combined with portable solar arrays, remote COPs, OPs, or relay sites could have man-portable 24/7 power. An alternative would be swapout of units during LOGPACs of supported sites. Toss a case of MREs, water, and a freshly juiced OrangeRock and a team could continue mission for another three days.
Initial hands-on revealed a sturdy, ruckable load that could be strapped to ALICE, MOLLE, or Mystery Ranch NICE frames or enveloped by the Mystery Ranch Crew Cab pack. Additionally, the form factor is airline checkable from both weight and size constraints.
Ongoing improvements include a prop-rod and “rain cape” that would keep off precipitation and allow the lid to be half closed in operation.
Submitted by Fly On The Wall
Tags: AFCEA TechNet, Orange Rock