Army Bets $7.6 Million on Chariot Defense’s ‘Amphora’ to Solve a Growing Battlefield Energy Crisis

The U.S. Army Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has awarded $7.6 million to Chariot Defense to develop its Amphora system, a battlefield power management solution aimed at addressing the growing energy demands of modern military operations. Amphora is a physical system that integrates battery storage and power conversion hardware, with embedded software that manages energy flow, storage, and distribution. The system can connect to existing power sources, including vehicles, generators, solar panels, and shore power, and use its built-in intelligence to optimize energy use. The goal is to allow troops to operate essential equipment while minimizing the need for constant generator use, reducing fuel demand, and minimizing thermal signatures.

• Chariot Defense claims that Amphora can keep essential systems operational while reducing generator runtime and fuel consumption.
• The system allows for energy to be captured from a running engine and stored for later use.
• Amphora can be used with compatible generators or solar power depending on mission requirements.
• The system’s built-in intelligence helps manage energy flow and storage for various pieces of equipment.

The DIU award aims to validate Amphora’s performance at larger scales, including real-life scenarios where soldiers measure its power performance and fuel use. The tests will evaluate the system’s ability to support field operations across different scales, from division to corps-level. The goal is to demonstrate that units can sustain essential equipment without relying on an ever-growing power and fuel burden. Amphora is designed to help military personnel operate advanced systems without carrying excessive batteries, thus improving logistics and mission efficiency.

The system’s ability to manage energy in real-time and reduce the need for constant generator use makes it a valuable solution for modern battlefield energy challenges. By combining intelligent software with versatile hardware, Chariot Defense claims Amphora can increase the capabilities of the modern warfighter at the tactical edge. The DIU’s investment reflects confidence in the technology’s potential to address the growing energy crisis in military operations.

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