US Army Showcases Integrated Power System for Small Arms

It's a concept that has been discussed for a long time but the US Army has recently showcased a new integrated battery system for its small arms systems. The Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center has shared photos of the new Small Tactical Universal Battery or STUB.

The C5ISR Center says it “is working across industry and several DoD organizations to more rapidly integrate these batteries with Solider-worn and -carried devices”, the photos shared by the C5ISR Center show the STUB integrated with the Army’s new M7 rifle. If fielded the new STUB system would develop an integrated power system capability that was originally mooted for the Next Generation Squad Weapon when the program initially launched in 2017.

While the Army press release on the new battery system has limited specific information, the images provided show an M7 rifle with a new buttstock which incorporates a battery interface. The system appears to power numerous enablers mounted on the rifle including an XM157 Next Generation Squad Weapon – Fire Control optic (which is normally powered by a pair of CR132 batteries) and an Individual Weapon Sight - thermal clip on. While not shown the STUB system will likely also power light, laser modules and other enablers. The system appears to have a control interface, an assembly on the right side of the upper and a cable management system. There’s no publicly available information on the power outputs or weights of the batteries or the system interface.

Three DEVCOM centers — Armaments Center, Army Research Lab, and Soldier Center are working with the C5ISR Center, along with industry partners, to develop and test STUB.

According to an Army release STUB delivers different battery sizes that share a common mechanical and electrical interface which enables interoperability. Each of the battery sizes provides a different amount of power which can be selected to suit soldier and mission requirements.

“Standardizing the power type lets us achieve that long fight that we need to build the future,” Master Sgt. Arean Harbison said. “The STUB will be a better fix than what we’ve had in the past of resupplying batteries. Now we’re looking at potentially charging in the observation post and not needing resupply. To remain lethal, we need to sustain ourselves with additional power. Power becomes a form of lethality.”

The next step for C5ISR Center’s STUB system is for Project Manager Soldier Lethality, which is responsible for current and future weapon development, to explore further development and fielding.