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)
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| (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.
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| (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.
