Tactical Electric Power: Solving Military and Disaster Relief Power Needs Fast

Electrical power is essential for disaster relief and strategic military planning. These two situations are particularly vulnerable to energy shortages—whether due to hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes destroying infrastructure, or military bases operating in remote areas without access to the grid (or choosing not to rely on it.)

In these cases, a lack of dependable power affects:

• The operation of medical facilities

• Communication capabilities

• Information sharing from command and control centers

• Access to clean water and food

• Functionality of security and defense systems (e.g., cameras, microphones, infrared, radar)

Tactical electrical power bridges the gap during these emergencies, enabling critical systems to operate until mains power is restored. In military contexts, it provides operational freedom and energy independence, especially in hostile environments.

In this blog, we will take a look at the features of tactical electrical power solutions and how tactical electrical power is deployed in disaster relief and military situations.

What Are Tactical Electrical Power Solutions?

Tactical electrical power solutions come in various forms but share key features that allow them to be rapidly deployed in almost any scenario. These include:

1. Speed of Deployment: A tactical electrical power solution should be able to be set up and start producing power within a couple of hours —and just as quickly dismantled and redeployed to new locations.

2. Transportability: It must be possible to transport solutions easily, including by helicopter, truck, or by sea. This usually means that the tactical electrical power solution is entirely self-contained, eliminating the need for additional support shipments. 

3. Ruggedization: Tactical electrical power solutions must be able to withstand severe environmental conditions, including temperature extremes, shocks and vibrations, or high winds. It should also be resistant to sand, dust, and water intrusion.

4. Modular and scalable: By conforming to specific standards, such as ISO-668 for standardized containers, tactical electrical power solutions can take up minimal space while providing a scalable power source depending on the size of need.

5. Flexibility: To improve resilience, tactical electrical power solutions are increasingly designed to work with varied fuel sources, including renewables like solar and battery storage, in addition to diesel.

   
   

These shared traits ensure tactical power solutions are adaptable, reliable, and mission-ready under virtually any condition.

How Tactical Electrical Power Solves Military and Disaster Relief Needs

Electrical power is a fundamental necessity, especially in emergency scenarios where lives are at risk. The ability to deliver fast, reliable backup power can dramatically improve conditions in both sudden disasters and prolonged crises. 

One of the most immediate benefits is its support of medical operations—such as emergency care units, field hospitals, and safe shelters. Without access to power, essential systems like refrigeration, sterilization, life-support equipment, lighting, and heating cannot function. Tactical electrical power ensures that vulnerable populations—the injured, ill, or elderly—can receive timely treatment and care.

Beyond immediate medical needs, tactical power plays a vital role in supporting longer-term survival. It can generate heat, power pumps to remove contaminated water, reduce the spread of disease, and enable the production of clean drinking water. Communication is another critical component in both disaster zones and military operations. Tactical power supports command centers, satellite phones, routers, and Wi-Fi networks, ensuring links to the outside world.

The mobility and ease of deployment of these systems are also key advantages. Tactical power units—such as truck-mounted modular gensets—can be rapidly set up, relocated, and redeployed, allowing response teams to bring critical infrastructure wherever it’s needed most.

A Tactical Electrical Power Case Study: MTBR

The Mobile Tactical Battlefield Recharger (MTBR) is a JP8-fueled, modular generator system designed to provide field-based power for recharging electric tactical vehicles. Housed in a standard 20-foot container, the MTBR is engineered for easy transport by road, air, sea, or rail—ensuring it can move alongside deployed units and keep charging stations within reach.

This highly adaptable system can operate independently or connect to existing mains or microgrid infrastructure. It also integrates battery storage, enhancing energy efficiency and flexibility across various deployment scenarios.

The MTBR delivers up to 540 kW of peak power and 330 kW of continuous power, with field testing showing efficiency gains of up to 50% over conventional gensets. It is specifically designed to perform in extreme environments—withstanding high temperatures, rain, wind, snow, and sandstorms.

To ensure operational resilience, the MTBR includes HEMP/EMI shielding and CBRN protection, safeguarding the unit from electromagnetic pulses, chemical, biological, and radiological threats. These features make it a powerful and reliable solution for modern battlefield and remote tactical power needs.

Enercon's Mobile Tactical Battlefield Recharger Concept

Conclusion 

Losing access to power—whether due to natural disasters or operations in remote or hostile environments—creates serious challenges. Electricity is vital for the operation of medical facilities, refrigeration and sterilization, heating and lighting, and for maintaining communication with the outside world. In such situations, restoring reliable power becomes a top priority.

Tactical electrical power solutions offer a fast and effective response. These systems are designed to be highly mobile, rapidly deployable, and resilient in extreme environmental conditions. Their modular and scalable nature allows them to adapt to a wide range of power demands, whether supporting a field hospital, communications hub, or remote military base. Today’s tactical solutions often include renewable energy sources like solar power and integrated battery storage, alongside traditional diesel generators. Many also offer remote control and monitoring capabilities, enhancing efficiency and reliability in the field.

At Enercon, we specialize in the design and deployment of advanced tactical power systems. Our portfolio includes the Mobile Tactical Battlefield Recharger (MTBR) and the prime power unit for the Missile Defense Agency’s Thermal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD-PPU). 

To learn more about how our solutions can support your mission or emergency response, contact us today.