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Archive for the ‘Power’ Category

Exo Charge To Exhibit At Ft Benning Maneuver Warfighter Conference

Wednesday, February 9th, 2022

The EXO Charge division was established by Xentris Wireless to deliver next generation, rugged, high-performance power solutions for the modern Warfighter. EXO Charge will be showcasing several of its solutions as a premiere exhibitor at the Maneuver Warfighter Conference, McGinnis-Wickham Hall, Fort Benning, Feb 15-17 booth # EE.

“The EXO Charge team is on a mission to reduce the battery burden and deliver power solutions with higher performance and greater interoperability for the modern Warrior.” – said Mike Stein, V.P. of Military and Government Services.

The EXO Charge team is comprised of industry and military veterans with expertise in commercial mobile and military power programs.  This includes previous experience with the Conformal Wearable Battery (CWB), Soldier Worn Integrated Power Equipment System (SWIPES), the Squad Power Manager (SPM), the Vest Power Manager (VPM), the Advanced Battery Charger (ABC), and more.

“Enabling the Warfighter is our #1 priority. Through our expertise, we aim to help Warfighter operate lighter, faster, and more effectively – and with greater system interoperability and performance.” – said Jeff Jubin, Director of Business Development.

EXO Charge will be showcasing the following products from the company’s ever-expanding range of power solutions and accessories:

Small Tactical Universal Battery (STUB) – The STUB is a new family of standardized, rugged, rechargeable batteries for military applications. They feature a common mechanical and electrical interface, and the latest USB Power Delivery (USB PD) and Programmable Power Supply (PPS) fast charging technology. Created as a family of 8 different capacities/sizes ranging from 15-80W, the STUB enables leaders to adapt their troops’ battery load to meet their mission-specific power needs. Built for rugged, dependability in operational environments, the STUB series provides a common power source that can be shared across different electronic systems and devices – helping to make every ounce count.

Augmented Power Pack (APP) – The APP is a fully ruggedized 300Wh power bank designed for operational use in austere environments that can charge several devices simultaneously using USB Power Delivery (USB PD) and Programmable Power Supply (PPS) fast charging technology. Featuring two USB Type C ports and a Nett Warrior connector, the APP delivers multi-voltage support (5V-20V) for exceptional power flexibility and system interoperability. Built to be tough, reliable, and easy to use, the APP features an NVG-compatible display screen and a form factor optimized for tactical carriage and use.

Rugged Auxiliary Charger (RAC) – Small, light and rugged, the RAC utilizes USB Power Delivery (USB PD) and Programmable Power Supply (PPS) fast charging technology to charge several devices simultaneously. Supporting up to 300W of total power and equipped with an SAE and a Nett Warrior connector, the RAC is compatible with the UBC standard military bulk charger, as well as working as a stand-alone charger for standard batteries such as the 2590 and CWB. The RAC also features two USB-C ports for fast charging the latest generation of COTS devices and the new STUB series of batteries.

Building on the company’s 30+ year track record in the commercial mobile technology industry, Xentris Wireless created the EXO Charge division specifically to address the needs of next-generation portable power solutions for military applications. Incorporating globally proven, and industry standard, technologies such as USB help improve the operational capabilities of electronics at the tactical edge – as well as helping to reduce the battery weight and logistical burden borne by the Warfighter.

Visit the EXO Charge booth at the Fort Benning Maneuver Warfighter Conference to find out more, and also follow EXO Charge online and on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up to date on the latest news, views, and developments.

Army Applications Laboratory Names Four Companies to Soldier Power Cohort

Tuesday, February 1st, 2022

Cohort Aims to Help the US Army Power Soldiers on the Move
AUSTIN, TX – Four companies have been selected for the Soldier Power Cohort with the Army Applications Laboratory (AAL) through a program managed by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). Sourced from across the country, the selected companies are developing innovative power generation and power conversion, high-density energy storage, and intelligent management and distribution technologies that can support self-sufficiency, reduce burdens, and lessen dependence on resupply.

“Technology is a force multiplier for the Army, but with more technology comes more weight and the need for more power. We need to find a smart way to lighten that load for Soldiers who work in expeditionary environments for days at a time,” said Col. Jay Wisham, director of AAL. “While the commercial market for these technologies is relatively niche, both the Army and industry are facing similar challenges in how to maintain power for devices when away from the grid. This Cohort offers a way to join forces and move the field forward while keeping our Soldiers safe and effective in the harshest environments.”

Dramatic improvements in energy and power density for low-power commercial applications have increased the amount of output achievable while reducing size and weight. Intelligent power management and distribution solutions have also been instrumental in enhancing overall efficiency (as well as convenience) for consumers. As part of the Soldier Power Cohort, companies will earn $100,000 to develop conceptual designs that translate these existing solutions to address the Army’s specific problem. Cohort participants will learn about the Soldier Power problem set directly from key stakeholders, including Army Futures Command’s Soldier Lethality Cross-Functional Team; the Network Cross-Functional Team; and Combat Capability and Development Center Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Center.

The 8-week Soldier Power Cohort began on January 24, 2022, with concept design presentations planned for March 17, 2022.

The following companies will participate in the cohort:

Epirus, Inc.

Hawthorne, CA

Epirus is a high-growth technology company that develops directed energy systems and power management solutions for broad applications across industries. The nucleus of Epirus’ innovation is the company’s machine intelligent SmartPower technology platform, a multi-layered management solution that delivers precision control, unprecedented power density, and high-power efficiency to various devices.

Resonant Link, Inc.

Shelburne, VT

Resonant Link powers fleets and devices while they work by wirelessly charging medical devices, consumer electronics, and electric vehicles. Through a breakthrough wireless charging technology called the Multi-layer Self-Resonant Structure (MSRS), Resonant Link provides wireless power for multiple Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.

Spark Thermionics, Inc.

Emeryville, CA

Spark Thermionics is an early-stage energy startup developing a “powerplant on a chip” — lightweight and fuel-flexible electricity generation based on a thermionic energy conversion. Spark is led by world leaders in thermionic technology and has received recognition in Physics Today, Fortune, the Official White House blog, and elsewhere.

Xerion Advanced Battery Corp.

Kettering, OH

Founded in 2010, Xerion Advanced Battery Corporation is a fast-growing battery company located in Dayton, OH, that works with Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries. Through its patented battery technologies, the company aims to revolutionize the energy industry by introducing a step change in innovation in Li-ion batteries for portable electronics, power tools, and unmanned aerial systems (UASs).

USB Technology for Tactical Electronics Applications

Monday, January 10th, 2022

If you gave, or received a new cell phone, tablet, or notebook computer over the holidays, chances are that it included a USB Type-C® port and cable – even if you didn’t know it.

The first major, and obvious, advantage of USB-C® to the end-user is the fact that it’s a common standard physical interface that works across a wide range of different devices and manufacturers. This is a huge improvement in convenience and interoperability over how things were just a few years ago. It’s made even better by the fact that the connectors are omnidirectional – no more fumbling around or needing to visually check that you’ve got the cable / connector the right way around.

But while the Type-C connector is the visible front-end of the latest USB innovations, the real magic is what has been happening inside…

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard was first released in 1996 to standardize the connection of peripherals to personal computers – for low-speed devices such as a keyboard or a mouse with data speeds of 1.5Mbps. With the USB4 specification released in 2019, data speeds can reach up to 40Gbps (allowing you to transfer an entire movie from your phone to a computer in less than 1 minute) and is backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.

Along with these increases in power and data capabilities – and a connector that can conveniently handle them – has come a desire for shorter charging times for device batteries, as well as more efficient use of power. USB Power Delivery (PD) is a specification for handling higher power and allows a range of devices to fast-charge over a USB connection. The latest release of USB PD enables up to 240W of power with a full featured USB Type-C cable and port – providing one of the fastest charging protocols available on the market.

Programmable Power Supply (PPS) allows for stepwise changes in current and voltage – decreasing the conversion loss during charging, and thereby ensuring that charging is more efficient. Due to more efficient charging less heat is produced, which increases a battery’s lifespan, and decreases a device’s (and operator’s) heat signature.

USB PD now has become the de-facto charging protocol in the consumer market, and USB-C is becoming the universal cable / connector standard, due to its ability to supplying continuous high power plus blazing fast data transfer speeds. The end-user benefits of convenience, ease-of-use, and commonality are nothing to be underrated either.

The US military has issued USB-enabled tactical electronic devices through such programs as Nett Warrior, IVAS, and the upcoming Small Tactical Universal Battery (STUB) series. This trend is likely to increase as the US Army, US Marine Corps, USSOCOM and other government agencies look to modernize and upgrade their tactical electronics systems – while also looking to increase standardization and interoperability, while shortening development cycles and reducing overall program cost. Incorporating globally proven and industry standard technologies such as the USB specifications helps achieve these goals – as well as reducing the battery burden borne by the Warfighter.

Commercial mobile technology industry-leader Xentris Wireless created the EXO Charge division specifically to support such modernization efforts by developing rugged, lightweight, intuitive power solutions for the modern Warfighter. Learn more about EXO Charge at EXOcharge.com.

AFC VERTEX | Energy Event Will Examine New, Advanced Energy Technologies

Monday, January 10th, 2022

Austin, Texas — On February 8-10, 2022, a group of founders, technologists, investors, and market experts will converge at VERTEX | Energy in Austin, Texas, to examine new and novel energy technologies that are attracting private and public sector investment. This three-day symposium, hosted by Army Futures Command (AFC), aims to shed light on cutting-edge commercial energy advancements that can also support U.S. Army modernization goals.

“As part of the FY22 budget, the DOD requested billions to invest in next-gen installation and operational energy technologies,” said Lt. Gen. Thomas Todd, Army Futures Command. “The Army is interested in the same energy technology that’s gaining traction in the commercial market and among private investors. It’s the only way we can stay ahead. So concentrating our market intelligence through this event will allow us — and allow participants from private industry — to get a look at these technologies firsthand.”

According to industry reports, in the past five years, “gov tech” companies raised nearly $2B in private investment, indicating major growth — and major opportunities — in the government market. In November 2021 alone, the federal System for Award Management listed more than 450 energy-related contract opportunities open with the US Army. The Army VERTEX | Energy event will help to inform future investments while also providing attendees with insight into the Army’s funding roadmap directly from the 4-Star Command that determines how and where the Army invests.

This approach is part of a critical AFC effort to ensure Army modernization efforts extend beyond materiel improvements. As part of its modernization plan, the Army wants to diversify and bring more startups and small companies into its portfolio of partners. Doing so at the speed of business will require modernization of formal acquisition processes as well as improvements to the business processes through which those organizations or technologies are discovered.

“The Army is great at gathering operational intelligence to support our missions, but we are less adept at capturing critical intelligence on what new technologies or companies are developing in the commercial market,” said Todd. “VERTEX | Energy is a way to up our game in that area — going beyond what we can discover online and really diving into the technology and how it can help to address some of our most pressing problems.”

Army VERTEX attendees will include personnel from across AFC as well as Army Program Executive Offices (PEOs) with a vested interest in these technologies. It will also include commercial technologists, founders, and market experts who can contribute to a meaningful dialogue on next-generation energy technologies.

While anyone can watch VERTEX sessions virtually via the AFC YouTube livestream, in-person participation will be limited to 150 industry participants per day. In-person attendees will be selected based on alignment between their expertise and critical Army energy use cases.

To learn more about the event or the technology areas that will be discussed, visit armyvertex.com.

By Army Futures Command, Acquisition & Systems

2021 … Another Crazy Year

Wednesday, December 29th, 2021

          MIAMI, OKLA. – After the inaugural pandemic year of 2020, who would have imagined 2021 could have gotten any crazier? But it did. A riot on the nation’s capital. A gas pipeline held for ransom. Tornados that flattened towns in Kentucky and hurricanes that traveled from the Gulf Coast all the way up to New England. And then, ending where we started … with another version of COVID stressing out and sickening people around the world.

           Through all the ups and downs of 2021, including massive supply and demand challenges, companies have pulled together to keep products flowing and their people employed.

          In response to severe weather events and natural disasters, the portable fuel containers industry worked hard to meet staggering demand this year for 21 million portable fuel containers.

        “In today’s marketplace, where there are extreme situational challenges, along with staffing and COVID-19 health concerns, it’s very significant that our company was able to successfully unite to fulfill accelerated fuel container demands in 2021,” says Daniel Marshall, vice president of marketing and business development with Scepter.

Demanding Year Right from the Start

           Marshall relates that product demand started early in 2021 when January ice storms and the 2021 Ground Hog Day Nor’easter impacted the East Coast. Immediately following those events, there were power outages in February in Texas due to a deep freeze. Every situation had consumers scrambling for fuel containers to operate generators and equipment. 

           “While we can sometimes foresee bad weather circumstances and ramp up in advance for them, there was no way to plan for the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in May,” says Marshall. “Gasoline shortages were immediate, which meant people were reacting by wanting to fill fuel containers. This was happening right about the time of National Hurricane Preparedness Week in May when people are starting to think about hurricane prep. The amount of fuel containers required during this month skyrocketed.”

Second Half of Year Push

           As the summer of 2021 progressed, so did the 2021 Hurricane Season. In late August/early September, Category 4 Hurricane Ida brought strong weather from the Gulf Coast all the way up throughout the Northeast. In total, there were 21 named storms in the season, with seven hurricanes and four major hurricanes — all good reasons for people to prepare their homes and businesses to handle wicked weather. 

            “While many people always keep fuel and water containers filled and ready to go, there are greater numbers of people who purchase containers reactively, based on severe weather forecasts,” says Marshall. “They may never have been in a location impacted by bad weather before. Then along comes a mega storm and they need to prepare. That’s when people seek out reliable containers. And, that’s why our team works so hard to create those containers and keep the inventory available.”

          The various “unplanned events” impacting container sales during 2021 occurred over just 25 to 30 specific days — or seven percent of the year. According to industry reports, on those specific days, consumer purchasing hit its peak for fuel container sales. Almost five million fuel containers were sold during a total of those days online and in stores such as Walmart®, Lowe’s® and The Home Depot®. When totaled, that’s close to 25 percent of all the containers purchased by consumers from all manufacturers for the entire year. On those extreme, high sales days, an average of 200,000 fuel containers were purchased every day. That’s enough to fill between 75 and 100 semi truckloads each day!

A Year for the Books

           “This is the second record year of high demand for fuel containers for our industry,” says Marshall. “It’s actually a bit surprising. We see many items in the world transitioning to battery operation — like lawn equipment, generators and even some cars. That would make you think that demand for fuel containers would be down. However, it’s just the opposite. Consumers are purchasing more gas, diesel and kerosene containers than ever before.

            “We’re proud that Scepter sold more fuel containers than any other company in 2021. And, we are exceptionally proud that we accomplished this milestone without any business interruptions, and while doing this under continued COVID restrictions.”

           Scepter fuel and water containers can be found throughout the U.S. in Walmart®, The Home Depot®, Lowe’s®, AutoZone®, Pep Boys, Amazon and Northern® Tool + Equipment stores. Visit www.scepter.com for more information.

Stryten Energy Expands Lithium Battery Capabilities with Acquisition of the Assets of Galvion’s Vehicle Power Division

Tuesday, November 16th, 2021

Galvion’s advanced lithium-ion battery technology strengthens Stryten’s Military and Government energy storage portfolio.

Alpharetta, Georgia
Stryten Energy LLC, a U.S.-based energy storage solutions provider, today announced it has acquired the assets of Galvion Vehicle Power, a division of Galvion Inc., a developer of advanced protective equipment, power management and data solutions for military and tactical clients worldwide.

The acquisition comes as the Biden administration, and notably the U.S. Department of Defense, are redoubling the commitment to boost U.S. manufacturing capabilities of highly specialized lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are vital to U.S. military preparedness, energy security and the advancement of clean energy goals.  

Galvion has developed groundbreaking, safe and reliable lithium-ion energy storage solutions to meet demanding military requirements. Galvion’s Symbasys SWitchPack™ and SWATPACK™ lithium battery products will join Stryten’s newly formed Military and Government Division’s suite of power solutions that serves the public sector market. Solutions will include advanced lead and lithium battery technologies for submarines, combat vehicles, microgrids and ground logistics applications.

The SWitchPack i6T Li-ion vehicle battery is at the forefront of battery technology, powering the increasing number of electronic subsystems in current and future military vehicles. The i6T meets demanding military standards, including MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-810 and MIL-PRF-32565B when subjected to extensive ballistic and non-ballistic penetration, as well as UN 38.3 commercial safety standards. 

The SWATPACK Li-ion battery allows modular and scalable energy systems for Silent Watch on tactical vehicles. Able to withstand the most challenging battlefield environments with a balance of lifecycle and energy density, this flexible system adapts to a wide variety of vehicle platforms requiring scalable energy from 4kWhr to over 100kWhr. The SWATPACK meets industry safety requirements (UL 2580 and UN38.3) and military standards (MIL-STD 1275D, MIL-STD 810).

“Energy storage solution companies like Stryten Energy are critical to strengthening America’s supply chain and ensuring access to advanced lead and lithium battery technologies,” said Tim Vargo, Chief Executive Officer of Stryten Energy. “We are excited to welcome Galvion’s experienced Vehicle Power team to Stryten Energy. The addition of their extensive lithium battery knowledge to our Research and Development group, as well as Galvion’s Vehicle Power Division assets, will provide our customers with next-generation lithium battery technology. This acquisition further solidifies our ability to help lead the transition to a clean energy economy.”

“Stryten Energy’s commitment to supplying Military and Government customers with premium energy storage solutions, combined with their manufacturing and distribution capabilities, makes them the ideal partner to acquire Galvion’s Vehicle Power division,” said Galvion CEO, Jonathan Blanshay. “This divestiture further supports our strategy to sharpen our focus and drive expanded capability, innovation and growth initiatives to deliver enhanced warfighter survivability and lethality.” 

US Army R&D Energizes Battery Charging for Soldiers

Monday, November 8th, 2021

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Army researchers are exploring new ways to keep Soldiers’ electronic devices powered during extended missions by using wearable fuel cells for on-the-move battery charging.

As the Army continues to modernize the force with high-tech Soldier-worn and handheld equipment like radios, GPS, night-vision devices and weapons, the energy demand is continually increasing.

Engineers are working on optimizing the power density and efficiency of emerging fuel-cell based power generation technology when operated with packaged fuels as well as commonly available substitutes such as windshield washer fluid.

Army Futures Command (AFC) is leading work on the Soldier Wearable Power Generator (SWPG) that enables on-the-move charging, thus reducing the number of batteries required to be carried.

“We’re aiming to deliver a simple, easy-to-use way for Soldiers to extend battery life and keep moving in the field by developing wearable fuel cells,” said Shailesh Shah, a chemical engineer with the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center — a component of AFC’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM). “Enabling fuel cell operation on windshield washer fluid already in the Army’s supply chain avoids the need to set up a logistics re-supply of custom fuels. The SWPG simultaneously reduces dependence on logistics for battery re-supply.”

The C5ISR Center’s research aligns with the Army’s renewed emphasis and interest in fuel-cell power generation for supplying power to dismounted Soldiers, according to Shah. Technology in the industry has improved significantly in the past 10 years in terms of size, weight, noise, thermal signature reduction, improved modularity and mounting systems.

Adding wearable fuel cells to the Soldier system enables users to charge the currently fielded thin, flexible Conformal Wearable Battery (CWB) worn on vests as a central power source for electronic devices. The fuel-cell research complements the C5ISR Center’s concurrent work to modernize the CWB with advanced materials.

Researchers are continuing SWPG design modifications to improve performance of the prototypes with an emphasis on size and weight reductions, according to Christopher Hurley, chief of the Center’s Tactical Power Branch. Soldiers on 72-hour missions could save 12 pounds in battery weight under normal power draws with current prototypes.

Additional organizations providing support are the Army’s Project Manager Integrated Visual Augmentation System, DEVCOM Soldier Center, the FBI and the National Defense Center for Energy and Environment.

“A key to enhancing our fuel-cell development is placing different prototypes in the hands of Soldiers during field exercises,” Hurley said. “C5ISR Center engineers have been side-by-side with Soldiers to gain feedback during the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment in 2020 and 2021 with plans for 2022. The Soldier touch points are an invaluable resource in our development process so we can immediately turn around and incorporate their evaluations into our hardware systems.”

By Dan Lafontaine, DEVCOM C5ISR Center Public Affairs

The Air Force Partners with Twelve, Proves it’s Possible to Make Jet Fuel Out of Thin Air

Wednesday, October 27th, 2021

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

What if you could access fuel from anywhere on the planet, at any time, no tanker required? The Air Force thinks it’s possible with ground-breaking carbon transformation technology.

Separate from carbon capture and storage or carbon utilization, carbon transformation can turn carbon dioxide from the air into nearly any chemical, material, or fuel, including jet fuel.

In 2020, Air Force Operational Energy endorsed the carbon transformation company, Twelve, to launch a pilot program to demonstrate that their proprietary technology could convert CO2 into operationally viable aviation fuel called E-Jet.

The project hit a major milestone in August of this year when Twelve successfully produced jet fuel from CO2, proving the process worked and setting up the conditions to create the synthetic carbon-neutral fuel in larger quantities. The first phase of the project is scheduled to conclude in December with a report detailing the process and findings.

For the Air Force, the implications of this innovation could be profound. Initial testing shows that the system is highly deployable and scalable, enabling the warfighter to access synthetic fuel from anywhere in the world. Reliable access to energy and fuel is paramount to military operations. Recent joint wargaming and operational exercises have underlined the significant risk that transporting, storing, and delivering fuel poses to troops – both at home and abroad.

At the height of the war in Afghanistan, attacks on fuel and water convoys accounted for more than 30% of casualties. Yet, fuel demand is only expected to increase as advanced weapon systems and operations require increasing levels of power.

“History has taught us that our logistics supply chains are one of the first things the enemy attacks. As peer-adversaries pose more and more of a threat, what we do to reduce our fuel and logistics demand will be critical to avoid risk and win any potential war,” said Roberto Guerrero, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for operational energy.

Currently, the Department of the Air Force relies on commercial fuel to operate, both domestically and abroad. The Air Force must use a combination of trucks, aircraft, and ships to ensure fuel is delivered to meet warfighter demand. However, many areas of operation cannot always easily reach traditional access points of the supply chain, particularly during conflict.

Twelve’s carbon transformation platform could allow deployed units to create fuel on demand, without the need for highly skilled fuel experts on site. The Air Force sees the opportunity for the technology to provide a supplemental source to petroleum-based fuels to decrease demand in areas that are typically difficult to deliver fuel to.

“With carbon transformation, we are untethering aviation from petroleum supply chains. The Air Force has been a strong partner in our work to advance innovative new sources of aviation fuel,” said Nicholas Flanders, Twelve co-founder and CEO.

Most synthetic fuels, which are created by a mix of carbon monoxide and hydrogen known as syngas, are produced through burning biomass, coal, or natural gas. Twelve’s technology eliminates the need for fossil fuels, producing syngas by recycling CO2 captured from the air and – using only water and renewable power as inputs – transforming the CO2.

The process of converting syngas into liquid hydrocarbon fuels is not new. Known as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the multistep method was created in the 1920s by German scientists and aided the German war effort during World War II.

Today, it is widely used to produce liquid fuels for transportation. Fischer-Tropsch certified synthetic fuels are approved as a ‘drop-in’ fuel for each specific aircraft, first commercially, and then by the U.S. military and the aircraft’s associated system program office. The highest blend currently certified is a 50/50 blend of FT synthetic fuel and petroleum fuel. Twelve’s system produced FT-Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene, which can be blended with petroleum – up to a maximum blend of 50%.

Once the first phase of the program concludes at the end of 2021, the Air Force Operational Energy office will look to the next phase of scaling the technology to produce synthetic fuel in larger quantities. If brought to scale, the platform would enable more agile operations and decrease dependence on foreign oil, while having the added benefit of mitigating carbon emissions – a Department of Defense key priority under Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III.

While there remain a number of unanswered questions to make this technology operational, such as how to power the production of the syngas in remote areas and where water sources for the necessary hydrogen will come from (Twelve notes that water for the process can also be captured from the air), the team sees this is a positive first step in a truly innovative program.

“My office is looking at a number of initiatives to not only optimize aviation fuel use for improved combat capability, but to reduce the logistics burden as well,” Guerrero said. “We’re excited about the potential of carbon transformation to support this effort and Twelve’s technology – as one of the tools in our toolbox – could help us get there.”

By Corrie Poland, Air Force Operational Energy