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MDM 24 – Forged Authority Off-Grid

Thursday, May 2nd, 2024

Forged Authority is a small business based in Iowa which got its start in the overland community.

They build portable wind generators which are deployable within five minutes either on a vehicle mounted mast or a static, ground-based configuration. These weigh in at between 45 and 65 pounds.

At Modern Day Marine they are dipping their toe in the military market. With the Marine Corps’ new Operating Concept calling for harvesting of energy, this might well be a good answer for remote island operations.

Posted in MDM, Power | 1 Comment »

MATBOCK Monday: It’s Alive!

Monday, April 22nd, 2024

In March of 2022, MATBOCK secured a contract to develop and deliver this revolutionary Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or “JLTV HEV”. The JLTV HEV not only elevates our military’s silent watch capability but produces massive amounts of power on the battlefield. Above, you will find a video of it driving out of the garage for the first time. Please stay connected with us for future updates and releases as we make monumental paradigm shifts in this technology space.

Learn more about our R&D Programs here: www.matbock.com/pages/hybrid-electric-vehicle-programs

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Mobility, Power, Research | 5 Comments »

Harnessing Hybrid Vehicles for Superior US Army Operations

Saturday, April 13th, 2024

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — In February 2024, the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office demonstrated the operational advantages of hybridization to several distinguished guests. The demonstration centered on highlighting the vehicle’s impressive features, which include an extended silent watch, silent mobility, increased on-board power generation and off-board power export.

The RCCTO’s Tactical Hybrid Electric Vehicle program demonstrates the operational effectiveness and automotive performance of standard tactical vehicles while validating the operational benefits of hybridization. Integrating hybrid electric technology will enable the vehicles to operate silently at greater range and more available power for weapon systems and power grids on and off the vehicle. All of these remarkable features provide greater capabilities for our Soldiers.

“The work that the government team and the DoD contractors have completed is a game changer for the Soldiers in the field. We have added silent mobility capability, exportable power, and increased the vehicle range with batteries while reducing heat signature and sound,” said Michael E. Foster, Sr., Director of the Rapid Acquisition Prototyping Project Office within the RCCTO.

“Today’s demonstration underscores the importance of continuing to invest in and develop these technologies. By evaluating innovations, bridging gaps, and collaborating with industry, we strengthen our ability to provide the best tools and resources for our Soldiers, enhancing their safety and capabilities on the frontlines,” said Lt. Gen. Robert A. Rasch, Jr., Director of the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office.

The ongoing prototyping efforts for the Stryker and High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle continue to give Soldiers the opportunity to validate hybrid electric technologies in operational environments. These vehicles are being tested in real-world military settings to assess their performance and efficiency, ultimately shaping the future of hybrid electric vehicles in military applications.

By Venetia Gonzales

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Mobility, Power | 12 Comments »

Gentex Corporation Announces Additional Order for Ops-Core RAILINK Power and Data ARC Rail System

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024

Integrated Headborne Platform receives second USSOCOM order.

CARBONDALE, PA, March 5th, 2024 – Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel, announced today that they have received a second-round order for the Ops-Core RAILINK power and data system from US Special Operations Command.

“When operating within the unique SOF environment, there is no margin for error. With a second delivery order coming immediately after completion of the first delivery order, it is clear that our nation’s elite SOF operators see that RAILINK delivers on the features and benefits they specified at the beginning of the RAILINK development program” said Tom Short, Vice President of Ground Systems at Gentex Corporation.”

The RAILINK platform facilitates integration of a broad range of unique functionality on the headborne system. Powered by a central helmet power center, feeding power to, and sharing data between, an array of smart nodes and a VAS/NVG interface RAILINK improves protection and lethality by increasing the effectiveness of the user and reducing their burden.

To learn more about RAILINK, visit: www.gentexcorp.com/introducing-railink

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, Helmets, Power, Press Release, SOF | Comments Off on Gentex Corporation Announces Additional Order for Ops-Core RAILINK Power and Data ARC Rail System

Thales Defense & Security Inc. (TDSI) Awarded DIU Contract for Family of Advanced Standard Batteries (FAStBat)

Monday, February 19th, 2024

The U.S Defense Department’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) awarded Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) a contract to develop and deliver a prototype family of Small Tactical Universal Batteries (STUB). The delivery of the STUB prototype is part of the DIU Family of Advanced Standard Batteries (FAStBat) initiative, one of the Army’s latest approaches to develop a standard family of batteries.

A standard family of batteries is needed to help reduce the service’s logistical burden and simplify the number of batteries that operational units must carry to power network and other systems. The STUB batteries have an innovative common USB-C Power Delivery (PD) interface and higher capacity NanoGraf cells, which facilitates battery charging by leveraging COTS chargers and reduces battery type inventories required throughout the Joint Services. TDSI’s focus will be on making the STUB batteries a successful program by focusing on key performance areas of thermal, power conversion efficiency, and ultra-low electromagnetic emissions, in order to meet stringent and demanding radio receive and transmit requirements.

The contract, awarded by Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), is one of the many efforts aiming to accelerate the adoption of leading commercial technology throughout the military. DIU’s FAStBat initiative helps meet the National Blueprint for Lithium Batteries 2021-2030 objective to develop form-fit-function battery standards for defense, electric vehicles, and grid applications as well as a 2030 objective to meet critical defense battery demand.

As part of the DIU contract order, TDSI will build hundreds of prototype batteries by 2025, using design, manufacturing and test processes already employed to support the AN/PRC-148 radio family of batteries.

“With expertise spanning more than 60 years, Thales Defense & Security, Inc. is a global leader in the development and manufacture of combat-proven, tactical communications equipment including batteries and chargers. We have successfully delivered over 300,000 integrated handheld radios and over 1,000,000 batteries to the Department of Defense (DOD). We are proud to have been awarded this contract by DIU and are certain this strong partnership will continue.”

MIKE SHEEHAN, PRESIDENT & CEO, THALES DEFENSE & SECURITY, INC.

TDSI’s extensive experience and knowledge in radio and battery design throughout decades gives the company a strong advantage in STUB battery design and delivery. The TDSI effort will pave the way for STUB batteries to benefit soldiers, the acquisition community, and the personal logistics community, allowing them to focus on their missions.

www.thalesdsi.com

Posted in Contracts, Power, Press Release | Comments Off on Thales Defense & Security Inc. (TDSI) Awarded DIU Contract for Family of Advanced Standard Batteries (FAStBat)

Galvion Invests in Quaze Technologies to Further Enable Wireless Charging as a Global Defence Capability

Monday, January 15th, 2024

Galvion, a world leader in the design and manufacture of intelligent power and data management systems and tactical head solutions, has announced the establishment of a strategic investment partnership with Quaze Technologies. Quaze Technologies, a Canada-based innovative technology company provides wireless power solutions that enhance the performance and functionality of unmanned systems. This newly announced strategic partnership combines the relative strengths of the technological innovation of both companies in providing future integration of wireless and autonomous charging capabilities to the dismounted warfighter.

Philippe Boulanger, CTO of Quaze, Jonathan Blanshay, Founder and Executive Chairman of Galvion, and Xavier Bidaut, CEO of Quaze, in Galvion’s Montreal office.

A commitment to providing leading-edge power and data solutions and protective equipment that enhance the overall agility and survivability of the warfighter was central to Galvion’s decision to invest in Quaze. The development and rapid-fielding of advanced concepts and integrated systems is critical to meeting the challenges of tomorrow’s battlefield, and drives Galvion’s forward-thinking growth strategy.

The Quaze wireless charging technology has applicability across a wide spectrum of land, air and sea domains, with intelligent solutions that can provide opportunities for the warfighter to quickly and easily charge systems before, during and after missions.

As well as receiving investment, Quaze Technologies has appointed Galvion’s Founder and Executive Chairman, Jonathan Blanshay, to their board of directors. Said Blanshay: “We have spent the past 22 years driving innovations in soldier systems in order to provide integrated solutions that can adapt to the ever-changing operational needs of the modern warfighter. We understand the challenges faced, and the speed with which things are changing, and we have identified some really interesting opportunities in the groundbreaking wireless charging technologies being developed by Quaze.”

Blanshay added: “Lessening the burden on the individual operator and unit, whether physical, cognitive, or logistic, drives everything that we do at Galvion, and we are excited to be collaborating with Quaze’s innovative team to deliver industry advancements that will give battlefield edge to our military and tactical teams.”

Xavier Bidaut, CEO at Quaze Technologies said: “This strategic partnership is an exciting milestone for Quaze. We are focused on providing innovative wireless power solutions that liberate unmanned systems from traditional power constraints, enabling seamless operations across diverse sectors.

Galvion is a market-leading soldier systems company with an outstanding track record of delivering innovative technologies into defence and security sectors, worldwide. There is unlimited potential for synergy and development here, and Jonathan’s considerable industry expertise is a welcome addition to our board, and a clear demonstration of his commitment to supporting and promoting pioneering technologies that serve the industry.”

Posted in Advertiser, International, Power, Press Release | Comments Off on Galvion Invests in Quaze Technologies to Further Enable Wireless Charging as a Global Defence Capability

Fischer KEYSTONE Tactical Hub: Expanded Cable Assembly Portfolio Connects More Soldier Digital Gear

Wednesday, October 25th, 2023

Saint-Prex, Switzerland | October 25, 2023 – Fischer Connectors released an expanded set of cable assemblies for the KEYSTONE tactical hub, including three cables for L3 Harris, Silvus and Bittium tactical radios and two device cables for Safran Vectronix’s MOSKITO TI target locator and STERNA True North Finder.

Designed to US Army Next Generation Hub (NGH) standards, Fischer KEYSTONE™ gives dismounted soldiers an easy way to manage the flows of data (USB 2.0 and SMBus) and power (100 W – 5 A max) between sights, sensors, night vision devices, radios and digital equipment.

“Reliable, simple, does what it’s expected to do: that’s the feedback we receive from customers who have field-tested Fischer KEYSTONE,” explains Olivier Thormann, Product Manager for Fischer KEYSTONE. “Soldiers already know how to use it – they clip it on, plug it in, and it just works.”

More extensions to the Fischer KEYSTONE tactical connectivity solution are coming in 2024. The next KEYSTONE hub – Fischer KEYSTONE™ 4 – is a 4-port hub designed for soldiers who need only basic power and data connections. KEYSTONE 4 will be showcased on Fischer Connectors stand 5 L 085 at Milipol in Paris, France, from 14 to 17 November 2023.

>> Full technical specifications in Fischer KEYSTONE™ Tactical Connectivity Solution

Posted in Comms, International, Power, Press Release | Comments Off on Fischer KEYSTONE Tactical Hub: Expanded Cable Assembly Portfolio Connects More Soldier Digital Gear

AUSA 23 – AZAK

Tuesday, October 10th, 2023

Every trade show I see something extraordinary and for AUSA, AZAK is it. This small company has developed an electric drive train which is contained within the wheel. The wheels can be combined with simple frame systems to create vehicles like this self propelled trailer or a bike.

Each wheel weights about 50 lbs with most of the weight below the hub. The next generation will add about 8 lbs to that. That offers a great deal of torque with independant power to each wheel. There’s also room at the top of the inside of the wheel to double the size of the battery. Additionally, they are considering ways to armor the wheel assembly.

It currently uses the Tomahawk Robotics controller for steering inputs and changes the speed of different wheels to facilitate actual steering. Finally, the range is currently about 60 miles at a top speed of 11 mph.

Posted in AUSA, Mobility, Power | 2 Comments »