Ubiquitous Power; Opportunities and Benefits of the Photo-Voltaic Power Converter for the Individual Fighter
Abstract
The success of every military throughout history has been its ability to move, shoot, and communicate, all of which require power. In the modern era, technology has afforded soldiers with equipment that greatly enhances maneuverability through state-of-the-art communications equipment. Such equipment creates significant power needs that are currently met through the use of expensive and heavy-to-carry disposable and rechargeable batteries. The limitation for improved complex communications, as well as weapon systems, is the ability to power such systems. The problem with alternative power sources has been the inefficiency, unreliability, and inconvenience of such systems. This project provides an analysis of a new ubiquitous power source (Photo-Voltaic Power Converter) and the opportunities it affords to individual soldiers in meeting existing power requirements. This paper calculates the savings and reports on critical user needs of the individual war fighter. The first group of equipment that is used to determine an individual soldier's power requirements includes night vision goggles, infrared aiming lights, and global positioning devices (BA-3058 battery). The second piece of equipment common to the soldier is the tactical light, which requires a BA-5123 battery. The next type of equipment common among platoon leaders, platoon sergeants, and automatic rifleman are thermal sights, which require the BA-5347 battery. The BA-5590 family of batteries are the go-to power source for radios and other equipment, such as the AN/PRC-119A, D, and F; AN/PSC-5; AN/PRC-117F(C)-HQ Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS); AN/PRC-150; M22 Chemical Agent Detector and Alarm; AN/PEQ-1 SOF Laser Marker (SOFLAM); and Ground Laser Target Designator (GLTD) II. The final section of the paper provides user feedback from soldiers on the PVPC's functionality, usability, look and feel, durability, compatibility, and performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA429393
Entities
People
- John D. Stout
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School