E-ligther: Powering the mission

Translated from Dutch by JK'87, original source: I. Koomen, 'E-lighter houdt militair op spanning', published in Defensiekrant edition 32 on 25 October 2012. (http://www.defensie.nl/actueel/defensiebladen/defensiekrant/2012/46200051/Defensiekrant_nr_32_2012)

(Source: http://tweakers.net/nieuws/32652/)

The armed forces protect our freedom, security and prosperity in The Netherlands and abroad. To properly and safely fulfil this important task, our people need the right and most modern systems and equipment. That’s why we invest in innovation, so we continue to be able to defend our country, support the civil services and combat terrorists and pirates. The Defensiekrant (Defence newspaper) will in accordance publish a few articles about innovative projects within the armed forces. In this third instalment we analyse the e-lighter as part of the VOSS soldier modernization program.

Improved survivability, better command and control and more freedom of movement and strength; these are the objectives of the Verbeterd Operationeel Soldaat Systeem (VOSS) (Improved Operational Soldier System). This name incorporates the set of innovations intended for the most important weapon within the armed forces: the individual serviceman. Water and food, munitions and dressings and today more important than ever: the batteries. Without these means no soldier ever leaves his base, says Luc de Beer, VOSS project leader of the Defensie Materieel Organisatie (Defence Equipment Organization). “Our soldiers will depend more and more on technology”, he explains. “Radio, GPS, night vision, illumination, directing means and so forth will only further increase the demand for energy.” As a result soldiers have to carry a considerable amount of batteries. Thereby, because each system uses a different type of battery, the variety of batteries they have to take with them is quite extensive. “Al these types of batteries take up a lot of space in the backpack”, explains De Beer. “Space you would rather use for extra food, munitions and dressings.” However, the project leader still emphasizes that batteries are just as essential as munitions. “If your batteries run out, you can practically say the mission is over.” Because without systems like: communication, GPS, night vision and the like, individual soldiers will become less operational and furthermore more vulnerable. 

(Source: http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19405)

Plain and simple

The e-lighter is designed to prevent soldiers from running out of energy. Soldiers serving in combat units will in future missions be equipped with these compact generators. This smart system, the size of a soda bottle, acts like a universal trickle charger. With it the individual soldier is able to provide all systems with enough energy. It thus eliminates the need to bring a large variety of spare batteries and also easily extends the duration of the mission, whenever necessary. During some combat actions it is just a matter of: ‘who can endure the longest’. The e-lighter provides in these situations the necessary sustainability. The e-lighter runs on ordinary diesel fuel. “This unique concept is developed by Fokker Aerostructures”, Luc de Beer emphasizes. Other portable generators use methanol for example to generate electricity. This means you have to frame a whole new logistics line, just for this one product. The e-lighter on the other hand uses ordinary diesel fuel, which is almost always available even in the most remote and challenging mission areas. The generator is furthermore very robust and reliable and can both be taken inside and attached underneath the backpack. “One liter diesel is enough for the e-lighter to work for 48-hours and provide all of the required energy”, says De Beer. In 2013 infantry, marines and Special Forces will test the prototypes. It is then that this smart device will have to prove itself as an auxiliary engine of the mission.