US Army Awards $7.6M Microgrid Contract
The US Army has awarded a $7.6 million contract to startup Chariot Defense for its Amphora microgrid system, designed to capture energy from various
The US Army has awarded a $7.6 million contract to defense startup Chariot Defense for its Amphora microgrid system. The contract, issued through the Defense Innovation Unit's PRISM program, will see the system deployed this fall to power drones and electronic warfare equipment.
Chariot Defense launched in August 2024 and has raised $41 million in total funding, including a $34 million Series A round led by Andreessen Horowitz. The company's Amphora system is described as a compact, storage-enabled microgrid designed for plug-and-play mobility on the battlefield.
Replacing the Diesel Generator
Modern military equipment creates a major power demand. Drones, sensors, and electronic warfare systems need more electricity than ever. The current solution, the diesel generator, is considered a 19th-century tool ill-suited for modern needs. An article in the US Army's Military Review in 2022 detailed the operational shortcomings of diesel generators.
It stated that most U.S. Army generators run at only 30 percent of their rated capacity, leading to a problem called wet stacking. This causes poor fuel economy and increased maintenance. The journal concluded that in their present form, these grids are ill-suited to support the electrification of warfare.
Capturing Energy from the Environment
The Amphora system is designed to optimize power from a variety of resources. Chariot says it can capture energy from tactical generators, idling vehicles, wall sockets, or what it calls "the environment." This phrasing allows the discussion of renewable energy sources like solar power without using politically loaded terms, following a sharp federal policy U-turn last year.
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) stated that the current approach to battlefield power is fragmented and vulnerable. It specifically cited "strained supply lines in areas of contested logistics," suggesting a pivot to local power sources like solar. The PRISM program seeks a portable energy storage and distribution system to fill a capability gap.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Power Input/Output | 1 - 15 kW at various DC voltages up to 48V and worldwide AC voltages/frequencies |
| Energy Storage | 1 - 30 kWh of scalable modules |
| Component Weight | No more than 160 lbs per subsystem |
| Key Design Features | Modular, open architecture; minimized electromagnetic, thermal, audible, and visual signatures |
DIU, which is celebrating its 11-year anniversary, aims to speed up the acquisition of commercial technology for the military. Its goal is to cut procurement timelines to field critical operational technology faster. The focus on replacing traditional diesel generators with lightweight, portable systems is a key part of adapting to electro-centric warfare.
The US Army is not alone in exploring alternative energy. Last year, the Defense Department's Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund took steps toward adopting a space-based solar power system. The US Army Corps of Engineers also launched a demonstration project for a solar-enabled green hydrogen fuel cell microgrid.
