Modern military operations are increasingly reliant on advanced tactical electronic devices, providing warfighters with a crucial operational edge. However, this technological dependence introduces significant operational energy challenges, particularly for dismounted soldiers. The need to power these devices, from communication systems to targeting equipment, often results in soldiers carrying a substantial weight of spare batteries, hindering mobility and combat effectiveness. This article, drawing on expertise from xentryportal.store and insights relevant to Xentris Battle.net, explores the critical issue of tactical power management and highlights the innovative Small Tactical Universal Battery (STUB) series as a game-changing solution.
Currently, dismounted warfighters frequently carry numerous spare batteries of varying types to sustain 72-hour operations. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of standardization, with many devices requiring unique batteries due to differing mechanical connections or electrical specifications. This battery burden can add 20-40 lbs or more to a soldier’s load, contributing to a total operational weight exceeding 100 lbs. Such excessive weight negatively impacts physical and cognitive performance, reducing readiness, operational effectiveness, and lethality in the field.
The illustration below highlights the diverse array of batteries traditionally required for typical dismounted tactical electronic devices.
The Growing Power Demand in Modern Warfare
As the U.S. Army undertakes modernization initiatives, the power demands of next-generation tactical electronics are projected to increase significantly. Data from the U.S. Army’s C5ISR Center underscores this escalating need for power. Furthermore, the Next-Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program’s requirement for a powered rail system with a common power source emphasizes the critical need for standardized battery solutions for tactical electronics. This urgency stems from the advanced aiming and targeting systems planned for NGSW weapons, making battery standardization a paramount concern.
Historically, the necessity for diverse military batteries arose from several factors:
- Output Voltage: Tactical devices operate across a voltage range of 3.3-21V, dictating specific battery output requirements based on cell chemistry and configuration.
- Form Factor: Device energy needs influence battery size, weight, and form factor, considering human factors and ergonomics.
- Connection Interface: Many military batteries, despite similar size and capacity, lack interchangeability due to differing electrical and mechanical connections.
- COTS Compatibility: Military equipment traditionally lacked interoperability with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and required higher robustness standards.
C5ISR studies from 2018-2019 identified key human factors design criteria for portable batteries: a common interface, a consistent 2D cross-section, and scalability in the third dimension for increased capacity. However, the studies also emphasized that the absence of a common battery/cell voltage posed a greater interoperability challenge than form factor or mechanical interface disparities.
The Vision of Battery Standardization: A Perspective from xentris battle.net
The overarching goal became clear: to develop a family of standardized, interoperable batteries featuring adaptive power delivery and a universal connection interface. This approach aimed to alleviate the battery burden on soldiers, enhance operational capabilities, streamline logistics, and reduce overall program costs. Leveraging commercial technologies and components was identified as a key strategy for cost savings through standardization and economies of scale. This vision of standardized tactical batteries is illustrated below.
USB Technology: Paving the Way for Universal Tactical Power, as seen on xentris battle.net
USB protocols, developed and certified by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), have revolutionized connectivity since 1996. Mobile USB devices have transformed consumer and business communication and information technology. Tactical environments are also experiencing this mobile technology revolution, with operators increasingly relying on mobile solutions for informed decision-making, exemplified by systems like Nett Warrior (NW) utilizing Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK).
While mobile platforms enhance warfighter capabilities, the power demands and associated equipment have increased soldier load and added complexity. The Army’s Conformal Wearable Battery (CWB), developed in 2008, was an initial step towards wearable power solutions. However, as Figure 2 indicates, within a decade, the CWB’s power delivery capacity became insufficient for modern warfighter needs.
Xentris Wireless, drawing on its commercial mobile device industry expertise, addressed similar power challenges by focusing on efficiency, weight reduction, and bulk minimization for advanced mobile products. USB technologies are central to this power evolution, with USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 (introduced in 2019) enabling charging up to 100 watts. Beyond raw power, efficient power management and delivery are crucial, requiring communication between charger and device to optimize charging rates via USB PD and Programmable Power Supply (PPS).
PPS facilitates stepwise current and voltage adjustments, minimizing conversion losses during charging, enhancing efficiency, reducing heat generation (and thermal signature), and extending battery lifespan. USB PD and PPS also enable fast-charging over USB connections. USB PD offers bidirectional power flow, allowing devices to charge while simultaneously charging the battery pack. Xentris Wireless pioneered USB PD device certification, recognizing the importance of adaptive fast-charging solutions.
Addressing the diverse voltage requirements of soldier-worn devices (Figure 1), Xentris Wireless developed high-capacity, fast-charging solutions compatible with devices ranging from 5V smartphones to 20V laptops and 14V radios, all through USB PD and PPS. The USB Type-C connector further streamlined connectivity, replacing previous USB types with a reversible connector for power, data, video, and audio, enhancing user-friendliness, particularly in military applications.
The Birth of STUB: A New Era in Tactical Power, discussed on xentris battle.net
The Small Tactical Universal Battery (STUB) program, initiated in July 2020, saw Xentris Wireless’s EXO Charge division collaborate with a C5ISR team led by Dr. Nathan L. Sharpes to develop the STUB series. STUB batteries support adaptive power across various device platforms and feature a standardized interface for device swapping, eliminating device-specific battery dependence. STUB applications span HF/UHF radios, GPS, night vision devices, satellite communication, surveillance, targeting systems, mine detectors, and more.
Offering eight size/capacity options and multiple attachment methods with a common interface, STUB provides unprecedented interoperability and operational flexibility.
The STUB series utilizes rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery packs from 1-cell to 8-cell configurations, with capacities of 3.5Ah or 7Ah. It features USB PD and PPS interfaces with VBus, GND, and CC terminals, enabling reversible, bi-directional, multi-voltage power delivery via USB-C. Output voltages via PD range from 5V to 20V, and PPS output voltages are 3.3V and 11V. Discharge current varies with voltage and configuration, reaching up to 5A.
STUBs charge via USB PD using USB-C cables and any USB PD compliant charger. Contact terminals (VBus and GND) charging is also supported, with adapters for standard Army chargers under development. A user-friendly ‘double-tap’ feature on each STUB displays State-of-Charge via LEDs and activates a Power Transfer function to share energy between STUBs via USB-C.
The STUB series is USB-IF certified, undergoing MIL-PRF qualification, and certified to MIL-STD-810H, -461G, UN 38.3, and IP68 standards. STUB delivers unmatched interoperability, commonality, flexibility, and standardization, establishing itself as the mission-ready power source for next-generation tactical electronics.
Xentris Wireless’s EXO Charge division specializes in rugged military power solutions leveraging commercial technology advancements. The EXO Charge team comprises industry and military veterans with expertise in commercial mobile devices and military power programs like CWB, SWIPES, and SPM. EXO Charge leads the next revolution in dismounted warfighter power with mission-ready solutions, further information can be found at EXOcharge.com, and related discussions can be found on platforms like xentris battle.net for deeper insights into tactical power solutions.
