AF begins phase II of innovative generator construction with contractor

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Luther Mitchell
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  

The 621st Contingency Response Wing has begun phase II of its Next Generation Mobile Power Generator Initiative in an effort to modernize their forces.

The contract was awarded to Scaled Power on June 18, with a total of $1.5 million in funding coming from the U.S. Transportation Command and AFWERX.

“We’ve made huge strides in advancing a concept which originally began as an 821st Contingency Response Group Airman’s idea,” said 1st Lt. Jack Robinson, 821st Contingency Response Support Squadron civil engineer officer. “We’ve gained momentum and with the right financial and technical support this technology has the potential to change how mobile power generation is employed in the Department of Defense.”

The mobile power generator project is a three-phase project expected to be completed in 2024 with a total estimated research, development, test and evaluation cost of $3.3 million.

Phase I began with construction of a prototype of subsystems within the generator, and phase II will conclude with a prototype of the complete generator system in an independent skid-mounted frame, Robinson said.

“At its conclusion, Scaled Power promises to deliver a lightweight 30kW powered turbine engine generator with multi-stack capabilities that take up one pallet position, improves reliability, takes multiple fuel sources, and it’s able to start, stop, and operate at sea level with no degradation of power output, among other military specifications,” said Maj. Roy Jefferson, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center logistics branch chief. 

The project has garnered the support and interest of organizations who provide contingency based solutions, including the U.S. Army’s Expeditionary Energy and Sustainment Systems office, the DOD’s lead for power generation.

“Folks are starting to realize the impact of this project expands beyond the CRW and has the potential to change how mobile power generation is employed on the battlefield,” Robinson said. “The need for reliable light and lean power generation is huge across the DOD.”

Robinson is looking forward to the test and evaluation phase and a deployable generator in the near future.

“A lot of work has gone into advocating our project for USTRANSCOM and AFWERX funding,” Robinson said. “With continued program support from our partners at the U.S. Expeditionary Center, TRANSCOM, and Air Mobility Command, I am confident we will maintain the financial support we need to produce a complete air worthy generator.”