Energy Optimization on the Battlefield: How Integrating Energy Efficient Technologies at the Tactical Level Can Reduce Fuel Consumption and Lessen the Burden of Fuel Logistics.

摘要

The Department of Defense organization is one of the largest consumers of fuel in the world. The military's dependence on fuel is an important factor on the tempo of operations and operational reach. Throughout the last 13 years of conflict, the military identified many significant operational and tactical challenges involving fuel logistics required to support and sustain large-scale ground and air operations. The military's dependence on fuel is so important to operations it assumes significant risk when fuel convoys are attacked, and more importantly risks the lives of the Soldiers and Marines who execute these missions. Through the implementation of an energy optimization strategy, which is the focus of this thesis, the U.S. Army and U.S. Marines can reduce battlefield fuel consumption up to 25 percent. These savings equate to millions of gallons of fuel saved. More importantly, a reduction in the frequency of fuel convoys will save lives. Energy optimization will enable the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine forces to divert resources to other missions that would otherwise be needed to sustain fuel convoys. These savings extend operational reach of ground forces in remote and austere environments, which can operate longer with less fuel sustainment.