III.O.05—Reforming Diesel to Refuel Soldiers (ReformD).  Develop technology to catalytically reform diesel fuel into a versatile gaseous fuel that can be cleanly and reliably burned in high efficiency gas fired kitchen equipment and that can be safely dispensed in cartridges (bottled) to power soldier individual equipment for heating, cooling, illumination, and electric power generation devices. Specifically, by the end of FY98, demonstrate a diesel fuel reformer with an ability to convert diesel fuel into gaseous fuels (H2 and C1 to C⁴) at a rate of 3 gallons per hour, and a yield of 70% High Heat Value. By the end of FY99, demonstrate a yield of 90%. By the end of FY01, integrate the reformer in a field kitchen with gas appliances that will enable the preparation of high quality meals and that will provide a convenient source for refilling gas cartridges. Demonstrate a soldier refueling concept whereby the field kitchen is a logistical supply point that fuels both individual soldiers and their equipment.

Supports: Joint Service Food Program; Advanced Development– RJS2/63747/D610– Food Advanced Development; Engineering Development RJS2/64713/D548–Military Subsistence Systems; Army Field Feeding Equipment 2000 (MNS); Quartermaster School.

III.O.09—Lines of Communication (LOC) Construction Materials and Methods.  Provide the capability for rapid construction and repair of the in–theater transportation and facilities infrastructure to sustain a deployed force with limited engineer resources. By the end of FY95, develop methods for rapid stabilization of loose dry soils in arid regions to provide operating surfaces (paved or unpaved) for contingency military operations. By the end of FY97, provide the technologies required to reduce current equipment and materials to construct operating surfaces in soft soils and environments by 25 percent and construction time by 35 percent. By the end of FY98, develop models, methods and technology required to construct and maintain operating surfaces in cold and transitional environments using limited material and equipment resources.

Supports: Design criteria, materials specifications, and construction guidance for the criteria update cycle of TM 5–430–001/2 "Planning and Design of Roads, Airfields, and Heliports in the Theater of Operations," and TM 5–402–001/2 "Army Facilities Component System."

III.O.14p—5–Kilowatt Advanced Lightweight Portable Power System (ALPPS).  Demonstrate an efficient, portable engine–driven generator set operable on multiple fuels for tactically mobile use. The design shall be based on the integration of commercially available engines and state of the art alternator and power electronic technologies. The goal is to enhance electrical generation, storage, and conditioning capabilities required to support TOCs, communication/weapons systems, and sensors of the 21st Century Battlefield. By FY01, demonstrate a signature–suppressed, multifuel burning, electronically controlled/conditioned generator set that is capable of producing 5000 watts of continuous power at 60 Hz in all extreme, hostile environments. The target weight for this system is 350 pounds (dry weight). The basic design of this lightweight power system shall support implementation of and increase the Army’s ability to achieve its power OTM and RFPIs.

Supports: 5 kW, 60 Hz Power Requirements for Signal Corps, Tactical Force Support, Battlefield Training Support.

III.O.15p—Silent Energy Source for Tactical Applications (SIESTA).  Demonstrate silent, lightweight liquid fueled fuel cell power sources in the 50–150 watt range for various soldier applications. These power sources will offer lighter, more energetic power sources than are currently available and would extend mission time, reduce weight and decrease the logistic burden associated with batteries. This effort is essential to leverage the efforts at DARPA, ARL and JPL. By FY00, using the best available methanol/air Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Technology demonstrate a fuel cell power source providing 2000 watt–hours per Kg of fuel. By FY02, using the best available liquid fueled PEM technology demonstrate a 150 watt/5000 watt–hour fuel cell power source weighing less than 5 Kg.

Supports: Power Requirements for DBBL, SOF, CSS, Marine Corps/NSA, Soldier System, Sensors, Battery Charging.

III.O.19—Munitions Survivability.  This STO develops explosive propagation mitigation technologies to ensure the survivability of munitions at ports, air heads, and munitions storage areas. In FY97, investigate the use of microencapsulated fire retardant materials, thermal coated weaves, and low thermal conducting materials to protect vulnerable munition stacks from fire threats. Investigate microstructural shock absorbing materials, structural foams, gel–forming polymers, and kevlar spiral weaves as lightweight high performance materials to mitigate explosive propagation. Initiate laboratory testing of materials. Initiate development of heat transport computer codes and hydrocode models for treating shocks, rapid compression, and penetration in porous materials. In FY98, perform scaled experiments to calibrate computational models and define geometries necessary to prevent fire propagation and achieve optimum shock attenuating performance. In FY99, complete development of sympathetic detonation computational models. Conduct full scale experiments to verify models and demonstrate lightweight, high performance materials and designs optimized to prevent fire propagation and mitigate explosive propagation. These technologies will limit ammo loss to only 1% from a Scud missile direct hit. Ammo storage area footprint will be reduced by 60% while providing a 50% weight and construction time/labor decrease compared to current geosynthetic reinforced systems.

Supports: CSS and EELS Battle Labs.

III.O.20—Advanced Parachute and Soft Landing Technologies.  Demonstrate technologies to provide an improved cargo airdrop capability. Utilizing novel design techniques, by the end of FY97, demonstrate a small (personnel size) parachute and by the end of FY00, a full size cargo parachute that achieves a 20% reduction in weight, bulk and manufacturing costs (compared to fielded parachutes) while providing equivalent flight performance. By the end of FY98, demonstrate a parachute retraction system using clustered parachutes that provides a less than 10 ft/sec soft landing capability. This capability will allow for airdrop of critical items (such as robotics) too fragile for airdrop with conventional systems. By the end of FY00, demonstrate a less than 10 G (gravitational force) soft landing airbag system that provides an all weather, rapid roll–on/roll–off airdrop capability for the future Army.

Supports: Advanced Development–RA02/63804/D266–Airdrop; Engineering Development–RA02/64804/D279–Airdrop; Quartermaster and Engineer Schools and Maneuver Support Battle Lab.