Integrating Anti-Idle Power Systems into Military Tactical Vehicles: Use Case Development and Analysis

Military tactical vehicles are increasingly incorporating anti-idle kits as a method to reduce fuel consumption. The larger battery pack associated with the anti-idle kit has the potential to provide new capabilities to the warfighter, who can use the battery pack to power pieces of equipment. This study analyzes a set of these new capabilities derived from the U.S. Army Universal Task List, supplemented with user interviews and doctrinal analysis. These capabilities include powering dismounted soldier systems, counter-drone and surveillance equipment, mobile refrigeration for medical applications, field maintenance tools, and mobile food services. The study then uses geolocation data collected from the U.S. Army’s National Training Center to model daily fuel consumption for soldiers performing each of these activities. The model was subsequently adapted to incorporate an anti-idle kit, revealing significant reductions in fuel usage. The analysis uses the results to define common functional requirements and inform the conceptual design of a modular kit that integrates with anti-idle systems to enable new capabilities, thereby allowing vehicles to serve as mobile energy platforms in addition to their traditional role of providing mobility.