On July 25, 2006 Al-Anbar commander and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Richard Zilmer submitted an MNF-W priority 1 request pointing to the hazards inherent in American supply lines, and noted that the up to many of the supply convoys on Iraq's roads (up to 70%, by some studies) are carrying fuel. Much of that fuel isn't even for vehicles - it's for diesel generators used to generate power at US bases et. al. In response, the document requests alternative energy solutions to power US forward operating bases... and the US military looks like it will act on the request.
DID has covered a number of Pentagon projects to use alternative energy at various installations, but Zilmer's request is believed to be the first formal request from a front-line commander. Not to mention the first formal request that acknowledges the security dimension of alternative energy sources in response to the growth of "systempunkt" terrorism and the non-linear battlefield. This is also an issue of cost, and reports indicate that foresighted CIA venture funding has even produced a front-runner for the coming contracts.
The request reportedly calls for 183 renewable energy systems of various power capacities. More than anything else, however, Zilmer's letter is about changing assumptions.
Well, that's one way to get around the objections to satellite beamed power. Label it 'Top Secret' and point out how useful the satellite would be if you needed it to be more... offensive.
bummer on the spam, so here's a manual trackback!
i find this encouraging on two levels.
first: the commanders on scene are being proactive on reducing the risk to their troops. or at least this one is.
second: if i have a technology that i want developed in a hurry, get the military interested in it. look what Rickover did with the nuclear navy.
more at Novel Idea http://bothenook.THAT BANNED BLOG PROVIDER.com/2006/08/heres-novel-idea-fighting-war-with.html
hope i didn't screw that up.