Soldier Power Operational Benefit Analysis

An operational benefit analysis of military small unit power (SUP) equipment is presented in detail.  SUP equipment is designed to improve power generation, conservation, and overall power management strategies for dismounted military units.  The operational benefit analysis examines four tactical scenarios and considers a naïve power management strategy and a SUP enabled power management strategy.  The major findings and conclusions discussed in this paper include: specific conservation and generation strategies for select dismounted tactical scenarios; the importance of proper solar blanket employment; identification of a capability gap between 100W and 1000W in the power generation spectrum; the benefits of using conformal batteries; and the impact of inefficient PRC 154 battery swaps in the naïve case