Sec. 317 — Pilot program on off-grid tactical power

Statutory text

(a) In general. The Secretary of Defense may establish a pilot program on employing expeditionary off-grid power generation capabilities across the Joint Force.

(b) Requirements. If the Secretary carries out the pilot program authorized in subsection (a), the Secretary shall carry out the following activities under the pilot program:

(1) The exploration of the research, development, procurement, and operational integration of mobile expeditionary tactical microgrid systems to provide resilient power supply to forward-deployed formations and critical command, control, and communications elements at the tactical edge.

(2) The incorporation of novel power generation and advanced battery storage that can integrate with secure satellite communications or other mission-essential electronic systems.

(3) The conduct of operational assessments and testing of systems in conditions that simulate contested logistics and degraded infrastructure.

(c) Report. If the Secretary carries out the pilot program authorized in subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense committees, not later than one year after the commencement of the pilot program, a briefing on the status and results of the pilot program. The briefing shall include—(1)an assessment of the technologies used in the program;(2)an overview of the operational assessments and testing of the systems, including system performance; and(3)recommendations for fielding across the Joint Force, as appropriate.