What happened
The US Army is working with American companies to develop homegrown power solutions to reduce dependence on foreign fuel. Companies such as GM Defense, Heven AeroTech, and Commando Fuels are creating innovative technologies, including batteries, hydrogen drones, and domestically-grown biomass fuel.
GM Defense has developed a prototype of its EPIQ Hybrid, a system that pairs a battery with a generator to cut heat and noise in remote areas. The system has seen fuel savings of about 50 percent and about 80 percent less generator run time.
Heven AeroTech has developed a hydrogen-powered drone and the equipment that makes hydrogen to fuel it. Commando Fuels is making fuel from domestically-grown biomass, which can be used to power military vehicles without relying on outside fuel trucks or civilian power grids.
Other companies, such as Oshkosh Defense and Cummins, are also working on developing hybrid-electric tactical vehicles and power generation systems that can reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions.
The US Army is testing these new technologies to reduce its dependence on foreign fuel and improve its energy security. The Army's goal is to have a more reliable and sustainable energy supply chain that can support its operations in the field.
