Army researchers pushing operational energy data to tactical edge

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (July 22, 2025) — Power and energy are foundational to tactical lethality and operational success. Soldiers require real-time energy data visibility across the battlespace to fight and win during Transformation in Contact. Army researchers are creating tools to deliver capabilities at the tactical edge.

Teams throughout the Army are combining their technical expertise in operational energy, satellite communications, tactical networks and mission-command applications to effectively deploy energy resources for Soldiers through the movement of data.

The Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center leverages technical teams across researchers, acquisition, and operational units to deliver solutions to Soldiers in the Operational Energy Data Bridge program, according to Frank W. Bohn, an electronics engineer with the Center.

“Soldiers will be able to view the battlespace through an energy lens to predict fuel and battery shortages, lower sustainment burden, as well as prioritize power to the most critical systems during limited supply. In turn, this energy data optimizes resource allocation, extends operational reach, combat endurance, and increases overall lethality. Commanders can change battlefield plans based on energy available to accomplish the mission,” Bohn said.

The Army will collect and aggregate operational energy data at points of generation and leverage Next Generation Command and Control, known as NGC2, data layer to make power data available to Soldiers across echelons for real-time situational awareness through programs such as Project Odin. This is all underpinned by the data generation capabilities of intelligent power equipment and the Tactical Microgrid Communications and Control Standard (MIL-STD 3071).

OEDB will also develop power overlays in the Tactical Assault Kit, known as TAK, which is a map-based software application that provides information feeds, analytics and visualizations of the battlefield to inform decision-making. Beyond NGC2 integration, this effort looks to inform data standardization on the Integrated Data Environment.

The Center is working with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Energy Resilience and Optimization) Operational Energy-Innovation Directorate and aligns to the energy dominance priority of the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund.

“C5ISR Center’s decades of experience and subject-matter expertise across engineering disciplines in battlefield power management systems — such as generators, energy storage, controls, and optimization — enable the Army, and uniquely C5ISR Center, to bring these capabilities to Soldiers,” said branch chief Mike Gonzalez.

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The U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center is the Army’s applied research and advanced technology development center for C5ISR capabilities. As the Army’s primary integrator of C5ISR technologies and systems, DEVCOM C5ISR Center supports our networked Warfighters by identifying, developing, maturing, and rapidly integrating innovative technologies to drive continuous transformation.

DEVCOM C5ISR Center is an asset of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. DEVCOM is Army Futures Command’s leader and integrator within a global ecosystem of scientific exploration and technological innovation. DEVCOM expertise spans eight major competency areas to provide integrated research, development, analysis and engineering support to the Army and DOD. From rockets to robots, drones to dozers, and aviation to artillery – DEVCOM innovation is at the core of the combat capabilities American Warfighters need to win on the battlefield of the future. For more information, visit c5isrcenter.devcom.army.mil.