ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (May 26, 2026) — As Army researchers develop advanced batteries for Soldiers, the new CFx battery is headed to the field to power a myriad of equipment, including radios and equipment for imaging, targeting, and counter-explosive devices.
The Army’s CFx battery – which units can procure beginning this year – provides Soldiers with a substantial increase in energy, while reducing weight, in a standardized form factor to meet the demands of the increasing network of next-generation technology.
Research and collaboration among Army's Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center; Communications-Electronics Command; and industry have led to the CFx non-rechargeable lithium battery, which is designed as a drop-in replacement for equipment that uses the xx90 series of batteries.
According to C5ISR Center Director Beth Ferry, this advancement is a critical component of the service’s broader effort to enhance Soldier lethality, improve operational readiness, and streamline logistics.
“By leveraging battery integration expertise and C5ISR relationships across Army and industry, we are expediting the adoption and fielding of standard batteries,” Ferry said. “This is leading to tangible benefits for Soldiers at all echelons.”
The battery is equipped with a System Management Bus interface that transforms it from a simple power source into a smart component of the Soldier’s networked gear, according to electronics engineer Ari Herman.
“Our efforts are not just about adding raw power; it’s also about intelligent power management,” Herman said. “This ‘smart’ capability allows the CFx battery to communicate with the equipment it is powering, providing real-time data from the battery’s internal monitoring system for an accurate, real-time display of the battery’s state of charge.”
The CFx battery follows the rollout last year of the Small Tactical Universal Battery that delivers eight sizes of batteries to provide tailorable amounts of energy depending on Soldiers’ mission needs. The STUB powers Soldier-worn or -carried equipment, such as night-vision goggles, GPS devices and weapon sights.
The Army updated the MIL-PRF-32271 specification, under which the CFx battery is defined, in 2025 to incorporate the latest technical requirements and lessons learned for non-rechargeable lithium batteries. In addition, the Army has published MIL-STD-3078 (Interoperability Standard for Batteries Utilized in Army Equipment), which defines the battery types for new system design. C5ISR Center maintains the document that is updated as new standard battery form factors are required to meet emerging needs.
“By adhering to standards like MIL-STD-3078, the Army can streamline research and development, reduce costs by leveraging existing battery platforms, and focus on the continuous improvement of these standardized batteries, ensuring they remain at the forefront of technology while maintaining backward compatibility,” said Scott Mahoney, a C5ISR Center branch chief.
The Army launched a battery website in 2024 to provide information related to Soldiers, safety, system integrators and battery developers. The goal is to better serve the Warfighter and industry by creating a central location for information on military batteries. The latest specifications, guidance and integration documents can be accessed in a tailored form.
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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 the Futures and Concepts Command’s leader and integrator within a global ecosystem of scientific exploration and technological innovation. DEVCOM expertise spans seven major competency areas to provide integrated research, development, analysis and engineering support to the Army and Department of War. 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.
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