Powering the Digitized Battlefield

Download the full release here: No.26-1221, Powering the Digitized Battlefield (Aug 26).pdf [PDF - 3.7 MB]

The proliferation of digital systems - from drones and sensors to mission command platforms - has made electrical power a decisive fifth commodity of military logistics, as critical as fuel, ammunition, food, and water. Observations from the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) reveal that while Army units are equipped with advanced technology, they often lack a corresponding energy sustainment plan, leading to a gradual loss of digital capabilities and a diminished decision advantage over time. This challenge is compounded by a lack of battery standardization, inadequate charging infrastructure, and significant safety risks, such as the increasing frequency of catastrophic lithium-ion battery fires due to improper handling and environmental exposure.

To address this critical vulnerability, the author argues that the Army must institutionalize energy management by treating power as a planned sustainment resource, not an afterthought. Key recommendations include standardizing battery and charging architectures, accelerating the adoption of safer, more efficient next-generation power technologies, and implementing disciplined sustainment models like the "round-robin" charging network pioneered by JRTC's Opposing Force. Ultimately, the paper concludes that the force that masters energy sustainment - integrating it into every level of logistics planning and execution - will be the one that maintains information dominance on the future battlefield.