Operational Energy Capability Improvement (OECI)

Abstract

Operational Energy underpins the future force requirements for increased mobility, extended range, greater integration across services and coalition partners, and increased resiliency to fight and win in contested environments. OECI’s mission is to increase the effectiveness of Joint, DOD-wide, operational energy programs, avoid duplication, identify and close technology gaps, and maximize success in research efforts. OECI leads the community to common, interoperable technology advances that support warfighting overmatch through extended reach, extended range, deliberate implementation of silent operations, silent watch, signature management (thermal and acoustic), power and thermal management innovations to enable next generation weapons advances (directed energy weapons), and reduced exposure to warfighter attacks in contested logistics. The Operational Energy Capability Improvement (OECI) program is the Department’s dedicated investment in Operational Energy Advanced Technology Development addressing joint operational energy requirements. The OECI program matures and demonstrates first-of-its-kind advanced operational energy technologies across warfighting platforms and domains. Technology innovations are focused on four key areas: (1) OECIF; (2) ES and Tactical Micro-Grids; (3) Power Beaming and Space Solar; and (4) Nuclear. The OECI’s execution approach of competitive selection to Defense Department laboratories strengthens technical depth within the DoD and fosters broad industry engagement, allowing for implementation of other transaction authorities where appropriate for expediting technology development of warfighter solutions. Operational Energy technology is a critical enabler for next generation weapon systems, platforms, and the agile and integrated operations required for all four 2022 National Defense Strategy (NDS) priorities. In addition, this PE directly supports the NDS priority of building a resilient Joint Force and defense ecosystem through modernization of key capabilities for operational reach in contested environments providing a sustainable and long-term advantage against adversaries. This Program Element supports the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment’s (OUSD(A&S)) Operational Energy Strategy. The four lines of effort defined in Department’s OE Strategy include: Energy Demand Reduction; Energy Substitution and Diversification; Supply Chain Resilience; and Enterprise-wide Energy Visibility. The OECI Program matures first-of-its-kind technology that will ensure that Joint Forces have the energy needed to fight and win in contested environments. Per the 2021 NDAA section 324, this PE activity is being led by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2025
Source ID
0604055D8Z_3_0400_PB_2025
Change Summary Explanation
The OECI program received an $18 million reduction for excessive growth. As a result, OECI was not able to advance innovations related to: Hydrogen technology for maritime lift and tactical vehicle fuel cells; additional technical pathways associated with waste-to-energy conversion; or study the radioisotope supply chain in depth. Congressional additions to the program included: (1) $8 million program increase which enabled investment in contested logistics capabilities for arctic operations, and additional projects in nuclear fuels; $2 million addition for distributed maritime energy research to project 455; $5 million addition for laser wireless power transfer to project 457; and $10 million addition for TRISO advanced fuels to project 458. OECI appreciates congressional trust for execution of unplanned targeted funds, and would appreciate congressional patience for financial performance as we seek to execute congressional direction. The program received two congressionally requested reprogrammings: (1) $7 million Power and thermal management subsystem technologies for high energy laser activities (to Navy – in process); and (2) $5 million Adaptive aerodynamic surfaces technology (to USAF - complete). FY 2023 resulted in a total increase of $7 million across the OECI projects. FY 2024 planned program decrease reflects maturation of TRISO advanced fuel production. OECI remains supportive and is positioned to execute targeted investments from congress. FY 2025 program increase enables rapid response to emerging operational energy technology insights derived from ongoing operations and keep pace with adversary advancements . Additional investments will focus on operational energy computing capabilities to the tactical edge, power and thermal management advancements to enable next generation high power weapon systems, space qualifications of low-cost high efficiencies solar array diversified energy sources, and support rapid spaceflight demonstrations of Stirling energy conversion systems.
Service Agency Name
Office of the Secretary Of Defense

Entities

Organizations

  • Office of the Secretary of Defense

Tags

Readers

  • Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Engineering.
  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space

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