By Debbie Gregory.

Most soldiers carry a heavy burden in the field, including an 80-pound backpack filled with essential supplies and tools.

If that’s not heavy enough, soldiers often carry an additional 20 to 30 pounds in backup batteries to power their radios and other necessary electronics.

A new mini-generator about to make its debut might allow one member of a small unit serve as a recharger for the rest of the squad or platoon to save on batteries and lighten loads, according to Veronika Stelmakh, co-founder, along with Walker Chan, of Mesodyne Inc.

Mesodyne’s high-energy-density ultra-quiet portable power generator, about the size of a soda can, reduces the battery load of dismounted warfighters by 75% so they can carry 2 extra gallons of water or 20 extra magazines of ammunition. Developed at MIT’s Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies and incubated at Argonne National Lab, the technology converts fuel to electricity in the 1-300 W range.

“It could be just one soldier, and a lot of people could recharge off him,” said Stelmakh.

The device, which weighs about one pound, would run off fuel, most likely propane or butane, to generate electricity through a conversion process using infrared radiation to drive specialized photovoltaic cells.

According to an Army release, its Research, Development and Engineering Command is experimenting with wearable solar panels that could recharge batteries and allow soldiers to carry fewer of them.

The command is also looking at backpacks that generate electricity from the soldier’s movements.

Lightning Pack—a 2017 R&D 100 Award Winner—is able to generate electricity as soldiers walk and run through the field, eliminating the need for them to carry batteries. The backpack works by harvesting kinetic energy, while also reducing the heavy load soldiers have to carry around the field. The pack is currently undergoing stringent field tests on the backpacks.

Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $57,854,366 cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitized contract action for procurement of long-lead-time material and production engineering for the expeditionary fast transport (EPF) 13. The EPF class provides high-speed, shallow-draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. Work will be performed in Novi, Michigan (30 percent); Mobile, Alabama (15 percent); Houston, Texas (9 percent); Slidell, Louisiana (8 percent); Franklin, Massachusetts (8 percent); Chesapeake, Virginia (7 percent); Rhinelander, Wisconsin (5 percent); Iron Mountain, Michigan (2 percent); and Dallas, Texas (2 percent); with other efforts performed at various locations throughout the U.S. below one percent (2 percent); and at various locations outside the U.S. below one percent (12 percent). Work on EPF 13 is expected to be completed by November 2021. Fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $43,390,775 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-2227).

By Debbie Gregory.

Microsoft is partnering with the U.S. Government in the journey to the cloud.

Microsoft officials announced that the company had achieved the required security levels to host secret U.S. military and intelligence data on its cloud computer network, Azure Government.

Azure Government was the first government-only cloud to be awarded Information Impact Level 5 DoD Provisional Authorization by the Defense Information Systems Agency. It delivers a physically isolated cloud that is DoD Impact Level 5-ready for infrastructure, platform, and productivity services serving every branch of the military and the defense agencies the greatest number L5 services in the market.

“We’re taking our public cloud Azure and sending our FedRamp moderate coverage to cover 50 of those services,” said Julia White, corporate vice president of Microsoft Azure, referring to cybersecurity framework for cloud hosting for government. “By the end of the calendar year, those 50 services will have FedRamp high certification.”

Azure Government Secret is meant to provide multi-tenant cloud infrastructure and cloud capabilities to U.S. Federal Civilian, Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and U.S. Government partners working within Secret enclaves.

The biggest cloud companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, IBM and Oracle, all have been jockeying for bidding position for the winner-take-all Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract.

Google has dropped out of the race for the Department of Defense’s $10 billion, 10-year cloud contract, citing an inability to meet the security levels required and because they could not be “assured that it would align with our AI Principles,” according to a Google spokesperson.

Whatever company they choose to fill this contract, this is about modernizing their computing infrastructure and their combat forces for a world of the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence and big data analysis, while consolidating some of their older infrastructure.

Google’s abdication leaves Amazon and Microsoft as the two most likely contenders for the JEDI contract.

This nationally televised concert raises awareness of the mental health issues, including brain health faced by those who have served our country, and raises funds for the non-profit organizations that support them.

The Veterans and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA), one of the fastest growing non-profit trade associations serving veteran military entrepreneurs (VMEs) is once again proud to announce sponsorship of the America Salutes You concert series, “Guitar Legends for Heroes II.”

On Sunday December 2nd , some of the world’s best guitarists will hit the stage at the Novo Theater in Los Angeles to thank our military, veterans and their loved ones for their sacrifices, while raising funds for the high impact charities that support them.

In addition to performing, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons will take on hosting duties The all-star event will feature special performances by Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction), Sammy Hagar, Orianthi, Joe Bonamassa, and many more.

The concert will be recorded and nationally televised for later broadcast.

Charity recipients benefiting from this music-filled evening include the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, HeadStrong, GIFT and the Independence Fund.

“We, as a nation, must recognize both the sacrifices made and the challenges faced by those who have served in our country’s military,” said Debbie Gregory, founder and CEO of VAMBOA. “If we are sincere in our gratitude for their service, we must ensure that we care for all servicemembers, past and present, and their families. We do this by providing the resources they need to live full, productive and happy lives.”

“I can’t wait until December 2nd in Los Angeles when America Salutes You presents Guitar Legends 2, starring amazing guitarists who are donating their time to raise awareness about and funds for brain and mental wellness charities, particularly for veterans and first responders,” said Bob Okun, Executive Producer.

The concert is made possible by the generous financial support of Walgreens, AT&T, KLOVE, AXS TV, Tribune Media, United Airlines and Production Glue.

About America Salutes You
America Salutes You is a 501c3 organization created to express our national gratitude to our service members, veterans and their families through an annual nationally broadcasted benefit concert that raises funds for a range of highly rated charities. One hundred percent of all money raised are granted to nonprofit organizations with programs that provide services to our troops, veterans and their families.