As the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) increases operational capabilities in austere and remote locations, our ability to effectively store and intelligently manage tactical energy in these environments will be critical to mission success. To effectively function in these locations, defense units will be required to operate over longer distances while using and overseeing a growing range of energy-intensive platforms that will have increasingly greater demand for reliable, efficient power.
Without energy storage, operators often run redundant “backup” systems, which leads to increases in fuel consumption, operations, and maintenance. To reduce these logistical challenges and meet the Military Services’ tactical energy management goals, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has partnered with the Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) to award contracts to Cummins Power Generation Inc. and GM Defense, LLC. These awards will fund efforts toward the STEEP (Stable Tactical Expeditionary Electric Power) Program.