Electric Propulsion: a Game Changer

Winter 2021 Electric Propulsion: a Game Changer by MAJ Ryan Ressler, MAJ Brian Ottestad and Mike Smith America’s adversaries have closely studied our recent operations. They know the American way of war well. Simultaneously, emerging technolo gies – including artificial intelligence, machine learning, nanotechnology and robotics – are driving a fundamen tal change in the character of war. Strategic competitors such as China and Russia are deploying capabilities to fight the United States through mul tiple layers of stand-off in all domains: space, cyber, air, sea and land. In an era of great-power struggle, the American way of war must evolve and adapt. As the world changes, so must the Army change how it fights. Electric-powered vehicles offer the potential to double the ground forces’ operational reach; increase lethality and survivability at the tactical and op erational levels; and reduce the Ar my’s logistics burden by half. The rap id and widespread adaptation of vehi cle electrification, from hybrids to ful ly electric vehicles, has begun to alter the full spectrum of the automobile industry and will dramatically revolu tionize the way we maintain and sus tain vehicles. A significant vulnerability of forward-deployed ground combat forces is their dependence on bulk-petroleum fuels. These traditional fuels are es sential for maneuver forces; they pow er weapon-systems and command-and-control systems, and aid in gath ering information and decision-mak ing. Maneuver-force endurance and operational reach is determined by the ability to ensure open lines of communication, with a supply of bulk petroleum readily available. Nearly “half of American deaths in Iraq and almost 40 percent of deaths in Af ghanistan”1 are attributed to roadside-bomb attacks. Fuel convoys are soft targets, yet they are a major line of ef fort during large-scale combat opera tions (LSCO). Throughout modern history, there are many examples of military operations losing tempo due to disrupted and de graded supply lines. For example, dur ing World War II, both the Allies and Axis powers were impacted by fuel shortfalls during their campaigns across North Africa. Also, GEN George

S. Patton’s Third Army’s drive into Ger many was at the mercy of bulk-petro leum requirements. In today’s Army, multi-domain opera tions (MDO) will further increase the time and space between units and drive increased power demands, caus ing strain on sustainment capabilities and highlighting the need for a more efficient vehicle fleet. Sustainment advantages of electrification The U.S. Army must focus more effort and resources on increasing the en durance and ability of ground forces to operate semi-independently. Elec tric-powered combat vehicles will do this by overcoming the energy logistics challenges of future battlefields while providing increased reliability, surviv ability, lethality and cost-effective ness. Electrification can double the operational range of vehicles and po tentially reduce the logistical Figure 1. A Heavy Expanded-Mobility Tactical Truck fueler prepares to con duct refuel operations in an austere environment. (U.S. Army photo)

Winter 2021 requirements of our current fleet by up to 45 percent. Electric propulsion provides a means to address two of the most pressing challenges on the future battlefield: energy logistics and unit endurance. Fielding an electric-propulsion capa bility in combination with organic per sistent-power-generation capabilities provides several distinct advantages over existing drivetrains. The most prominent of these advantages is the dramatic increase in the amount of time units can sustain operations with out external logistical support. Elec tric-powered tactical and combat ve hicles have significantly fewer moving parts and will be inherently more reli able than those with traditional drive trains powered by internal-combus tion engines. Increased reliability directly translates into fewer maintenance manhours, a reduction in cargo space required to carry spare and repair parts, smaller logistic-support areas and an in creased operational-readiness rate. These benefits allow our formations to operate longer and can better control tempo, providing commanders a com petitive advantage over our adversar ies. Electric vehicles’ tactical advantages Introducing electric propulsion to the tactical and combat vehicle fleet en ables the Army to integrate capabili ties that were once thought of as only science fiction. Many of these advan tages ascend from electric-drive mo tors and embedded electric-energy storage and internal-distribution sys tems. Electrification enhances the tac tical aspect of maneuver platforms in three distinct ways:

• First, it enables silent mobility. Silent mobility, a long-desired attribute, will increase lethality and survivability in all formations. Imagine a motorized-cavalry troop fitted with a light reconnaissance vehicle that can conduct its mission set virtually undetected. This – combined with extended range and duration – has a dramatic impact on the overall effectiveness of the future cavalry squadron.

• Second, electrification will extend the duration of silent watch, or the ability to sit in a hide position with all critical systems powered and the engine off. Through increased battery density, power-sharing and the ability to produce and prioritize onboard power, electrified vehicles will far outperform the current fleet in terms of power management.

• Third, electric-powered vehicles will dramatically reduce the thermal signature produced by vehicles, degrading adversarial detection capabilities. Reductions in both visible and acoustic detection will dramatically increase the element of surprise. Further, platform electrification ad dresses the inevitable increase in high-demand future power requirements. Future ground-combat systems will be required to support a litany of high-energy systems such as advanced communications systems, directed-en ergy weapons and active/passive pro tection systems. In addition, platform electrification will enable the concept of formation power. Formation power is defined as the ability to power all organic or ha bitually attached systems through the vehicle platform. This capability will allow Soldiers to ensure their mission-essential power demands are met. As robotics and artificial-intelligence technology advances, electrification will facilitate adaptation of smart-power capabilities. Smart power opti mizes power conversation and power sensing to ensure both the platform and Soldiers maximize their use of power resources. Finally, electric-powered vehicles are well known for their ability to instant ly deliver high torque and rapid accel eration. A commercial example is the Tesla S P90D, a mass-produced and mass-marketed four-door all-wheel-drive sedan, delivering 762 horsepow er and 713 pounds-per-foot of torque, able to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in an astonishing 2.4 sec onds.2 Before the development of modern electric vehicles, this type of performance was found only in exotic high-performance vehicles, not pro duction sedans. The Army must leverage capabilities such as these to save lives and provide decisive lethality. In addition to these performance ad vantages, electric-powered vehicles offer other benefits beyond tradition al drivetrains. As the employment of electric-powered vehicles continues to expand, it is likely that their design and configuration will evolve. The use of conformable batteries will dramati cally affect design considerations. By no longer designing a vehicle around heavy, bulky engines and transmis sions, electric-powered vehicles can alter their shape and profile. This fa cilitates the ability to better design platforms and meet the ever-growing roles of the future ground fleet. Challenges Compared to commercial industry, the Army has unique design challenges when adapting tactical and combat Figure 2. A Joint Light Tactical Vehicle convoy performs mounted-movement techniques in a desert environment. (U.S. Army photo)

Winter 2021 platforms to electrification. The technology required for all-elec tric propulsion for light tactical vehi cles exists today. However, the tech nology required to sustain these vehi cles in an austere environment does not. In the future operational environ ment, formations employing MDO will be widely dispersed and may not have the ability for a daily logistics package to rearm/refit every unit. Semi-inde pendent operations may last for days without external support. Specific challenges lie in battery den sity or the ability to store power for heavier platforms; the ability to pro duce and transport power on the bat tlefield; and rapid recharging. The Army has invested in a significant number of propulsion, power and bat tery initiatives to address these chal lenges. The Army must continue to le verage industry investments and ex pertise to help us solve these complex, but not insurmountable, challenges. Path to platform electrification Based on current technology, the most viable path to electrification is through the light-tactical-vehicle fleet as the Army’s entry point into electric pro pulsion. The near-term strategy should be centered on hybrid drivetrains. It’s been estimated that hybrid tech nology can produce up to a 45-percent reduction in Class III bulk petroleum. Applying this theory to an armored brigade combat team’s (ABCT) light-tactical-wheeled fleet, the ABCT could save 36,000 gallons a day in LSCO. The mid-term goal is to advance hy brid-electric-drive technologies to heavier platforms. Applying this theo ry to the entire ABCT fleet, the ABCT can save up to 133,000 gallons of Class III per day in LSCO. The far-term goal is to transition the Army to an all-electric-capable ground force. As power and battery technolo gies mature, a transition to an all-elec tric force will dramatically enhance the effectiveness of our combat and tactical vehicles. Conclusion The future is now. Traditional fuel is a high-demand commodity that is diffi cult to move and distribute on the bat tlefield. Limitations of fuel-capacity drive operational reach and will im pact our influence in future contested environments. Adopting electric-pro pulsion alternatives while increasing power generation, storage and distri bution capabilities will reduce our de pendence on traditional fuels; in crease the lethality and survivability of units; and enhance the overall ef fectiveness of the force. The Army must be an electric-propul sion innovator and continue to strengthen ties with industry regard ing propulsion, power and battery technologies. Through the right invest ments, programs, initiatives and re sources, the Army can push these technologies and drive innovation that facilitates continued dominance in the ground domain. MAJ Ryan Ressler is a capability devel oper for the Maneuver Requirements Division (MRD), Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Director ate (MCDID), Maneuver Center of Ex cellence, Fort Benning, GA. Previous assignments included operational test officer, mission-command systems, U.S. Army Operational Test Command, Fort Hood, TX; assistant product man ager, tactical programs, Product Man ager Force Protection Systems, Fort Belvoir, VA; commander, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry, 4th Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 101st Airborne Figure 3. Soldiers finalize camouflage in preparation for a mounted recon naissance mission. (U.S. Army photo) Figure 4. A fuel convoy moves to provide fuel to combat forces in support of sustainment operations. (U.S. Army photo)

Winter 2021 Division, Fort Campbell, KY; and pla toon leader/executive officer, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry, 4th BCT, 3rd In fantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA. His military schooling includes Command and General Staff College (CGSC); De fense Acquisition Workforce Improve ment Act Program Management Level III; Maneuver Captain’s Career Course (MCCC); Ranger, Airborne and Air-As sault schools; Mortar Leader’s Course and Army Acquisition Basic Course/ Army Intermediate Program Manage ment Course. MAJ Ressler has a bach elor’s of specialized studies degree in foreign affairs from Ohio University and a master’s of science degree in business from the University of Kan sas. MAJ Brian Ottestad is the battalion op erations officer (S-3) for 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 1st BCT, 25th Infantry Divi sion, Fort Wainwright, AK. Previous as signments include capabilities devel oper, MRD, MCDID, Fort Benning; task force S-3, Task Force II, Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Polk, LA; weapons-company team senior ob server/coach/trainer, Task Force II, JRTC, Fort Polk; commander, heavy-weapons company, Company D, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry, 4th Infantry Bri gade Combat Team (IBCT), 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart; and plans offi cer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-7 Infantry, 4th IBCT, 3rd In fantry Division, Fort Stewart. His mili tary schooling includes CGSC, MCCC, Ranger School and Airborne School. MAJ Ossestad holds a bachelor’s of sci ence degree in history from the Uni versity of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Mike Smith is a contractor serving as a capability developer at MRD, MCDID. Previous assignments include training developer, Directorate of Training and Doctrine, Fort Benning; senior drill ser geant, Fort Benning; platoon sergeant, Fort Hood; platoon sergeant, Fort Hood; and Bradley master gunner, “various assignments.” Mr. Smith’s military schooling includes Bradley Master Gunner School, Drill Sergeant School and Advanced Noncommis sioned Officer School. His awards and honors include the Meritorious Service Medal. Notes 1 Christopher Helman, “For U.S. Military, More Oil Means More Death,” Forbes, Nov. 12, 2009, https://www.forbes. com/2009/11/12/fuel-military-afghani stan-iraq-business-energy-military. html#6e24e6064562. 2 Tesla, “Model S Performance,” https:// www.tesla.com/models. Acronym Quick-Scan ABCT – armored brigade combat team BCT – brigade combat team CGSC – Command and General Staff College IBCT – infantry brigade combat team JRTC – Joint Readiness Training Center LSCO – large-scale combat operations MCCC – Maneuver Captain’s Career Course MCDID – Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate MDO – multi-domain operations MRD – Maneuver Requirements Division Figure 5. Possible path to tactical- and combat-vehicle electrification.