504th PIR BCT 100% Rechargeable Battery

Use at JRTC 02-07

Major Pat Dedham, Signal Officer, 1st BDE 82nd

910-432-5180

Agenda

• The Problem

• Obtaining the Right Resources

• Issues and Concerns Prior to JRTC

• Results

• Post JRTC Concerns and Issues

BA-5590Req.

Per Sys./Per Day

1st BDEHHC

HHC5590REQ.

2-504PIR

2-5045590REQ.

3-504PIR

3-5045590REQ.

3-319AFAR

3-3195590REQ.

2-82 AVN

2-825590REQ.

307FSB

3075590REQ.

A/3-4ADA

A/3-45590REQ.

A/313MI

A/3135590REQ.

A/307ENG

A/3075590REQ.

Air Force

AF5590REQ.

Total5590Req.

PRC-119 1 11 11 44 44 44 44 70 70 5 5 20 20 28 28 17 17 20 20 16 16 275JAV CLU 4 0 0 18 72 18 72 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 144RCU 0.5 6 3 6 3 6 3 0 0 4 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12PRC-150 1 4 4 3 3 3 3 9 9 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 27PDR 75 0.25 0 0 5 1.25 5 1.25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.25 0 0 0 0 2.75M22 1 5 5 31 31 31 31 15 15 19 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 101OE-239 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 3SMS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 0 0 0 0 6PRC-113 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 14 14GRC-240 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Total 26 23 107 154.3 107 154.3 94 94 31 29 22 21 28 28 27 26.25 20 20 36 36 585.8

Estimate of JRTC BA-5590 Requirements for a Brigade Combat Team (BCT)

- Total of 586 BA-5590s required per day.

- Subtract 25% (146 BA 5590s) for equipment that may not be used everyday = 440 BA-5590s per day.

- A JRTC rotation is 11 Days. 11 x 440 = 4,840 BA-5590s for a BCT at JRTC.

- 4,840 BA 5590 = $371,155.40

- Does not include BA-5590s for OPFOR, Observer Controllers (OC), Echelons Above Division (EAD) units, and Divisional Units (i.e. LRSD).

The Problem

BB-390Req.

Per Sys.1st BDE

HHC

HHC390

REQ.1-504PIR

1-504390

REQ. 2-504PIR

2-504390

REQ. 3-504PIR

3-504390

REQ.

PRC-119 4 11 44 44 176 44 176 44 176

JAV CLU 5 0 0 18 90 18 90 18 90

RCU 2 6 12 6 12 6 12 6 12

PRC-150 4 4 16 2 8 2 8 2 8

PDR 75 2 0 0 5 10 5 10 5 10

M22 2 5 10 31 62 31 62 31 62

Total 26 82 106 358 106 358 106 358

BB-390 Requirements By Equipment for1st BDE, 504th PIR

BB-390: - 4 per PRC-119 - 4 per PRC-150 - 5 per JAV CLU - 2 per PDR-75 - 2 per RCU - 2 per M22 PP-8444 (Charger):INF BN = 24 (3 per Line Company,6 for Field Trains, 6 for TOC/Garrison) HHC BDE = 6 (5 for BDE TOC, 1 for BSA)

Multi-Chargers:INF BN = 6 (1 per Line Company, 2 for BSA)HHC BDE = 1 (BDE TOC)

J-6358 (BB 390 Adapter):INF BN = 48 (1 per 8444, 4 per Multi-Charger)HHC BDE = 10 (1 per 8444, 4 per Multi-Charger)

Dis-Charger Caps:INF BN = 24 (1 per PP-8444)HHC BDE = 6 (1 per PP-8444)

J-6362 (NATO Slave Adapter):INF BN = 12 (1 per 2 PP-8444)HHC BDE = 3 (1 per 2 PP-8444)

COTM:INF BN = 7 (1 per Line Company, 3 for BN HHC)HHC BDE = 3 (In TOC Vehicles)

Rechargeable Equipment Standard

Determining Baseline Rechargeable Equipment Requirements:

Obtaining the Right Resources

BB-390Req.

Per Sys.1st BDE

HHC

HHC390

REQ.2-504PIR

2-504390

REQ. 3-504PIR

3-504390

REQ.3-319AFAR

3-319390

REQ.2-82 AVN

2-82390

REQ.307FSB

307390

REQ.A/3-4ADA

A/3-4390

REQ.A/313

MI

A/313390

REQ.A/307ENG

A/307390

REQ.Air

Force

AF390

REQ.

Total390Req.

PRC-119 4 11 44 44 176 44 176 70 280 5 20 20 80 20 80 17 68 12 48 16 64 1036

JAV CLU 5 0 0 18 90 18 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 20 0 0 200

RCU 2 10 20 6 12 6 12 0 0 4 8 2 4 0 0 0 0 4 8 0 0 64

PRC-150 4 4 16 2 8 2 8 9 36 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 24 100

PDR 75 1 0 0 5 5 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 11

M22 1 5 5 31 31 31 31 15 15 19 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 101

OE-239 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 0 0 0 0 6

SMS 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 12 0 0 0 0 12

PRC-113 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 56 56GRC-240 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

Total 30 85 106 322 106 322 94 331 31 57 22 84 20 80 27 87 20 76 36 144 1588

JRTC BB-390 Requirements By Equipment:

JRTC BCT Rechargeable Equipment Requirements: - BB-390 = 1588 ($368,416.00) - PP-8444 = 101 ($58,277.00) - Multi-Chargers = 16 ($6,585.60) - Dis-Chargers = 123 ($3,075.00) - Adapter Cables = 50 ($5,782.00) - BB390 Adapters = 165 ($12,733.05) - COTM = 26 ($66,834.04)

Total Cost = $521,702.69

1st BCT required about $271,000.00 of rechargeable equipment for JRTC 02-07

Obtaining the Right Resources (Continued)

More Than Just a Resource Problem……• Confidence in Rechargeable Batteries

“Team- Need command emphasis on this program. Thanks” - D6

• Training

Details!

• Planning

Must have a Re-Supply and Charging Plan

• Execution

Leadership and Checking

Issues and Concerns Prior to JRTC

ResultsBottom Line Upfront = Using only rechargeable batteries to power our critical systems at JRTC (combat like conditions) was successful.

• Confidence in Rechargeable Batteries

We had no choice - BA-5590s not available for training

Command believed rechargeable batteries would work

Experience at home station was mostly positive

• Training

Equipment is easy to use

SOPs where in place and developed

Leaders and soldiers wanted to learn

TTPs were readily available

Results(Continued)

• Planning

Re-supply

Preparation of initial battery requirement - Before charging can be done

Task Organizing - All PRC-119s come with 4ea 390s etc .

• Execution - Checking at all levels - Commanders, Subordinate Leaders, Communications Specialists and SIGOs (31Us and 25As)

Geromino DZ

FOBX

TOC

II

TOC

BSA

II

TOC

Recharging Station

Recharging Station

Recharging Stations

Recharging Stations

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

IRecharging

Stations

Recharging Station

LOGPAC

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

ISB

Concerns and Issues

• Can we maintain or rechargeable program

Infantry BDE Pure BB390s = $268,192.00 x 33% = $87,618.33 per FY

• Weight

3 DOS of BA5590 for 1 ASIP Radio - 2.25 x 3 = 6.75 Pounds Vs.

3 DOS of BB-390 for 1 ASIP Radio - 4.00 x 5 = 20 Pounds

• Power is key - must be maintained

• Must have multi-meters

• ASIP battery connector PINs break more easily when using BB-390s

• Added task to already over tasks communications specialists

• Everybody must maintain their rechargeable programs - Task Organizing.

Conclusion

The use of rechargeable batteries instead of BA-5590s at JRTC 02-07 was successful. There were no reports or indications that systems failed because of a lack of batteries.