The Vulnerability of Energy Supply Chains
As modernization pressures drive rising levels of digitization on the battlefield, energy requirements have become a major challenge for military strategists and the defense industry. The increased deployment of capabilities such as unmanned platforms, digital command-and-control networks, direct energy weapons, and electronic warfare systems has led to the need for delivering energy to dispersed assets in challenging or remote environments. This has made energy supply chains a critical vulnerability for expeditionary forces. In low-intensity conflicts, attacks on fuel convoys have created operational bottlenecks, forcing commanders to divert assets to sustain the flow of energy supplies. The conflict in Ukraine has further accentuated this risk, as the proliferation of commercial-off-the-shelf drone technology has made energy supplies a uniquely vulnerable target. To address this challenge, one technology with great potential is Off-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP).
US Military Were Early to the Party
The US military was the first to explore the concept of OBVP in the early 2000s. Research was conducted on installing power conversion units in High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs). However, limitations in the platform’s vehicle electronics design hindered the viability of the concept. Despite this setback, the growth of the civilian electric vehicle market has sparked innovation in dual-use technologies, such as battery systems and power-control units. This has revived interest in OBVP technology. Additionally, emissions reduction initiatives and concerns over volatility in global energy markets are driving the industry-wide push towards platform electrification, further strengthening the strategic viability of OBVP systems.
OBVP Solutions and Rechargeable Energy Sources
The defense industry has taken a proactive stance in the development of OBVP solutions. Although there is hesitance in military circles regarding the adoption of electrified vehicles, the long-term economic potential of these technologies has attracted commercial interest. Some companies are developing trailer-towed OBVP solutions that provide flexibility to commanders, allowing these assets to be moved between motorized and mechanized forces. An interesting example is the All-Terrain Electric Mission Module (ATeMM) by Plasan, which combines a trailer-towed power system with a remotely operated unmanned ground vehicle. The ATeMM can function as a mobile energy storage system integrated with electrical microgrids to provide ‘Off-Board Vehicle Power’ to static installations or as a rechargeable energy source when hitched to a manned vehicle. Other companies focus on integrating OBVP technology within existing platform vetronics architecture to enhance platform versatility.
Energy Savings and ESG
A 2016 study conducted by the US Army TARDEC division found that OBVP technology can provide a 23% efficiency saving in fuel consumption compared to the existing Quiet Tactical Generator. This highlights the practical advantages of adopting OBVP technology. As military forces worldwide balance emerging Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives with strategic challenges, OBVP technology is expected to see widespread adoption in the coming decades.
The Future of Vehicle Electrification in Defense
With increasing global concerns around energy usage and environmental sustainability, the defense industry is witnessing growing investment in solutions and capabilities linked to the wider trend of vehicular electrification. OBVP technology is playing a crucial role in addressing the energy requirements of modernized battlefields. As the development of dual-use technologies continues to accelerate and the benefits of OBVP become more apparent, it is expected that the integration of electrified vehicles and OBVP systems will become more prevalent in defense operations. The future of vehicle electrification in defense looks promising, offering energy savings, increased operational flexibility, and heightened resilience against attacks on energy supply chains.
Analyst comment
Positive news.
As OBVP technology continues to develop and become more apparent, the integration of electrified vehicles and OBVP systems is expected to become more prevalent in defense operations. This will lead to energy savings, increased operational flexibility, and heightened resilience against attacks on energy supply chains. The future of vehicle electrification in defense looks promising, with widespread adoption expected in the coming decades.
