Why Modern War Needs Intelligent Power Systems | Chariot Defense CEO on a16z

A company building next-generation tactical power systems for the battlefield, focusing on robotic warfare.

A company where Adam Warmth previously worked in a product role, likely involved in advanced aviation technology.

A former employer of Adam Warmth, where he led engineering. The company is relevant to the development of counter drone systems.

A company whose rocket launches are observed as an example of advanced capabilities that the army can leverage, rather than developing internally for long periods.

A retail store where soldiers have been seen purchasing Chinese battery banks to fill power gaps, indicating a vulnerability in the supply chain.

A leading company in the electric vehicle sector whose advancements in batteries and power electronics have influenced other industries, including electric aircraft and military applications.

An electric aircraft company whose technological advancements in batteries and power electronics are benefiting from breakthroughs in the associated commercial sectors.

A company that benefits from high power density electronics advancements, similar to those driving electric aircraft and other innovations.

A logistics company that could benefit from optimized power systems for its fleet, implying a broader commercial application beyond military use.

A leading technology company in AI and computing, relevant to the military's increasing need for advanced processing capabilities.

The company founded by Adam Warmth, which specializes in developing advanced tactical power systems for robotic warfare and modernizing military power infrastructure.

CTO of the US Army, responsible for technology implementation and driving change within the army.

A key leader in the US Army driving technological change and modernization efforts, working alongside the CTO.

The Army Acquisition Executive and a key partner in driving change and modernization within the US Army.

Mentioned in the context of acquisition reform and driving the army's focus on outcomes rather than just processes.

Mentioned as part of the leadership driving acquisition reform for sustainment, research, and engineering within the army.

Mentioned in the context of acquisition reform for sustainment, research, and engineering within the army.

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, now Deputy C2 Portfolio Executive, who helped develop metrics for assessing science and technology investments.

Implied to be involved in budget control at the congressional level, requiring engagement to align long-term budgets with modernization efforts.

A key figure in the army's procurement process, responsible for facilitating the acquisition of new technologies and working with the CTO on modernization efforts.

A former role within the Pentagon responsible for acquisition PMs, which has been reorganized under a new portfolio structure.

A role involved in making significant investments, alongside the Department of Energy, to onshore battery cell manufacturing in the US.

The primary focus of the discussion, outlining its transition to a more electronic and distributed battlefield and the power challenges this presents.

Special Operations Command, which faced power problems with counter drone operations ahead of the conventional force.

A US Army organization that provided experimental power generation, management, and storage techniques focused on small batteries and cold weather performance.

An army entity responsible for labs and R&D, now part of the reorganized portfolio acquisition structure aimed at streamlining modernization.

A missile defense battery where soldiers were manually rebuilding generators, highlighting a critical need for reliable and modern power solutions.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, referencing a standard port on tactical and combat vehicles used for jump-starting batteries, which Chariot Defense can integrate with.

A government department making significant investments, in conjunction with the army, to onshore battery cell manufacturing and related supply chains.

Implied as a potential customer or user of similar advanced power systems, given the broad discussion of military modernization.

The primary customer for Chariot Defense's products, whose demand signals help drive the re-industrialization and reshoring of critical supply chains.

Implied as a potential customer or user of similar advanced power systems, given the broad discussion of military modernization.

Implied as a potential customer or user of similar advanced power systems, given the broad discussion of military modernization.

The unit based at Fort Campbell, whose second brigade participated in early 'Transforming in Contact' experiments to test new command and control strategies.

A command under which contracting officials previously operated, now integrated into the new portfolio acquisition executive structure.

A network of depots, arsenals, and factories across the US that serves as a strategic reserve for national defense, including capabilities for ammunition production and vehicle repair.

Mentioned as a context where counter drone operations became a significant topic, before it was widely discussed.

Home of the 101st Airborne Division, where the second brigade participated in early 'Transforming in Contact' exercises.

A country with significant advantages in battery production costs and downstream industries like EVs and drones, posing an economic challenge to the US.

A location where JMRC exercises are held, and where power issues similar to those in the arctic were observed.

Location of the 25th Infantry Division, one of the units participating in the 'Transforming in Contact' initiative, testing diverse operational approaches.

The city where Chariot Defense is presumably headquartered, mentioned as a place Adam Warmth often has to travel from to be in the field with soldiers.

A location near NTC, mentioned humorously by Alex Miller in reference to the training environment and the experiences of soldiers in the field.

The region where Chariot Defense is aiming to establish and onshore its manufacturing and supply chains for battery components.

The executive branch of the US government, where discussions about critical minerals and supply chain security for battery production take place.

The country where the army's organic industrial base is located, with a focus on re-industrialization and fostering domestic manufacturing for critical technologies like batteries.

Tropical environments where heat and humidity strain battery performance, similar to desert conditions, indicating broad challenges with temperature extremes.

The region in California where Joby and Archer Aviation are located, highlighting the concentration of electric aircraft and advanced technology companies near Tesla's headquarters.

Hot and humid environments that, like deserts, place significant demand on batteries, indicating that extreme temperatures are a universal challenge for power systems.

A location where an early prototype of Chariot Defense's system was deployed and remained in use after a demo due to its effectiveness.

A region where U.S. Army units like the 10th Mountain Division conduct training and test new doctrines and technologies.

Los Angeles, mentioned as a place where one might expect electric aircraft companies to be based, contrasting with their actual location in the Bay Area.

A region renowned for its technology sector where power reliability is often assumed, in stark contrast to the critical need for dependable power in military contexts.

Hot and dry environments that, like jungles, are demanding on batteries, highlighting that extreme temperatures are a universal challenge for power systems.

The headquarters of the US Department of Defense, often seen as insular, where decision-making can be detached from ground realities, a dynamic the army's CTO seeks to change.

The seat of US government where policy and budget decisions for the military are made, mentioned in the context of acquisition reform and budget consolidation.

Chariot Defense's first product, a 4 kilowatt system with 4 kilowatt-hours of energy storage, designed for squad to battalion level deployment.

A comparison point for the power draw of a soldier's equipment, indicating that individual soldiers can consume as much power as a constantly running laptop.

End User Device, a term encompassing soldier-worn technology like communication devices and tablets that require substantial power.

A type of battery technology that is not well-suited for energy storage and power distribution in modern expeditionary warfare environments.

Advanced battery technology that has seen significant breakthroughs, enabling new applications like electric aircraft and supporting sophisticated military power systems.

A common charging standard. Implied to be a bottleneck for some systems where batteries cannot be charged efficiently or quickly.

A vehicle that could be adapted to provide tactical micro grid compliant power, serving as a mobile power source for units.

A common type of battery, whose raw materials like lithium are being discussed in the context of supply chain security and the need for domestic production.

Traditional generators producing AC power, sometimes used ineffectively by soldiers for DC power needs, leading to risks like carbon monoxide poisoning.

A future power technology that could provide dismounted, tactical micro grid compliant power, representing a significant advancement over current battery solutions.

Devices used to detect heat signatures, allowing adversaries to spot targets based on thermal emissions from equipment.

Electric vehicles, a sector where China is leading in battery production costs and industry dominance, posing a competitive challenge to US industries.

Unmanned Aerial Systems, which are increasingly being integrated into military operations and require significant power for their batteries and operation.

A system that can be taken down by seemingly minor power draws, like plugging in a coffee pot, highlighting the fragility of current tactical power infrastructure.

Traditional power generation sources, often diesel-powered, which create detectable signatures (thermal, acoustic), are fuel-inefficient, and pose logistical challenges.

Energy storage devices, crucial for powering modern military equipment, but facing challenges with cold weather performance, supply chains, and thermal/acoustic signatures.

Devices used in electromagnetic spectrum operations, which require substantial power and are part of the load on tactical power systems.

Global Positioning System, a technology that originated in government research and was later commercialized, contrasting with the current trend of commercial technology influencing military applications.

A specific Android-based device for soldiers, contributing to the overall power demands placed on individual personnel.

Unmanned Aerial Systems, vital in modern warfare, requiring integrated and efficient power solutions for their operational use and battery charging.

A platform that is going live to allow companies to get their UAS kits to the army and scale demand purchases, leveraging lessons from 'Transforming in Contact'.

The system that controls and monitors a battery's operation. It can be a vulnerability if compromised, potentially allowing remote triggering of IEDs.

Interference produced by electronic systems, which can also serve as a detectable signature if not properly managed.

A layer that Chariot Defense is applying to manage, optimize, and convert power sources, enabling smart routing and integration of different power systems.

A modern warfare environment characterized by increased reliance on electronic systems, requiring a robust and integrated power layer to support these technologies.

The unbroken series of refrigerated production, storage and distribution activities, used here figuratively to describe the need for components to function in extreme cold.

Systems designed to detect and neutralize enemy drones, an area where initial power challenges were encountered before companies like Chariot Defense emerged.

The components that manage and control electrical power, with significant recent advancements in high-density power electronics driving innovation in commercial and military applications.

Sudden increases in electrical voltage that can damage sensitive electronic equipment if not properly managed by power conditioning systems.

The manufacturing process for battery cells themselves, a key focus for onshoring initiatives due to geopolitical concerns and the need for domestic supply chains.

Challenging operational settings where existing power solutions were insufficient, motivating the development of new tactical power systems.

A strategy employed by Chariot Defense, integrating battery power electronics and microcontrollers to work alongside existing power generation, rather than replacing it entirely.

A standard that future power systems should comply with, ensuring interfaces for serving and receiving power are standardized and easy to use, similar to software APIs.

Existing sources of power within the army, such as diesel generators, which Chariot Defense's systems aim to augment and manage more efficiently.

The network of companies and processes involved in producing batteries, a critical area of concern due to reliance on China and the need to onshore manufacturing.

The increasing use of autonomous systems in warfare, requiring reliable power to operate and execute missions.

A key technology being integrated into military systems, increasing the demand for sophisticated and reliable power solutions.

The direction and control of military forces, heavily reliant on robust communications and power infrastructure for effectiveness.

Complete loss of power, a critical failure for military operations that highlights the need for reliable and redundant power solutions.

A typical duration for field operations, used to project the significant cumulative power requirements of individual soldiers.

A previous focus of military operations where certain power-related 'bad habits' were tolerated due to less stringent requirements, which are now being challenged with the shift to large-scale combat operations.

The process of rebuilding and strengthening domestic manufacturing and industrial capabilities, a key economic and strategic goal for the US, particularly in areas like battery production.

A command and control hub for military operations, which has evolved from large, fixed sites to smaller, more distributed setups, impacting power requirements.

A program within the Army that facilitates the rapid integration of new companies and technologies into exercises, bypassing lengthy bureaucratic processes.

Direct Current power, which is often required by sensitive electronics and command systems, and needs to be reliably supplied, especially when converting from AC generators.

The current focus of military strategy, which is distributed, decentralized, and requires more robust and adaptable power solutions compared to counterinsurgency.

The practice of minimizing detectable signals (thermal, acoustic, electromagnetic) from military equipment, crucial for survivability in modern warfare.

The systems and infrastructure that enable military leadership to direct forces, critically dependent on reliable and high-quality power.

A critical concern related to the use of commercial, Wi-Fi connected devices, which could be remotely compromised or repurposed for malicious activities.

Essential components for battery production and other advanced technologies, with efforts underway to onshore the entire supply chain from mining to metalization.

Efforts to streamline and accelerate the process of acquiring new technologies for the army, focusing on outcomes and faster integration into soldiers' hands.

Electrical power supplied by local grids in foreign countries, which can be inconsistent and prone to issues like brownouts, blackouts, and voltage spikes, posing a risk to military equipment.

Heat emitted by operational equipment, detectable by adversaries for targeting purposes, and a key factor in the need for low-thermal-output power systems.

Efforts within the US Army to modernize procurement processes, moving from a rigid, long-cycle system to a more agile approach focused on outcomes and faster technology integration.

An acronym for Size, Weight, and Power (Cost), a critical consideration in military equipment design, which Chariot Defense aims to reduce through efficient power management.

Next Generation Command and Control systems, a key area of modernization for the army that benefits from streamlined infrastructure and efficient power solutions.

Aircraft powered by electricity, a sector that has significantly benefited from advances in battery technology and power electronics, an area where Chariot Defense's CEO has prior experience.

Size, Weight, and Power; critical metrics in military equipment, which Chariot Defense's solutions aim to optimize by improving power efficiency.

Noise generated by equipment that can reveal its location, necessitating quiet operation for tactical advantage.

The electric vehicle industry whose advancements in batteries and power electronics have provided breakthroughs that Chariot Defense leverages for military applications.

Communicating a clear need for specific technologies or products to the industrial base, helping to guide investment and production, particularly for reshoring efforts.

The use of autonomous and semi-autonomous systems in military operations, which requires robust and adaptable power solutions to sustain their capabilities.

The expense associated with manufacturing batteries, where China currently holds a cost advantage over the US, impacting downstream industries like EVs and drones.

Part of the electromagnetic spectrum used for communication, which can be jammed, and whose associated equipment requires power.

The capacity to store electrical energy, a key function of batteries and other systems, critical for providing power on demand in military operations.

Technology that was invented commercially and later brought to the department of defense, mirroring the trend of commercial advancements driving military tech.

Raw materials essential for battery production, such as lithium, which are a focus of national-level discussions and investments in reshoring supply chains.

Environments with extreme heat, such as jungles, that also place significant stress on batteries, similar to cold environments.

Systems that use Wi-Fi for connectivity, posing a supply chain risk if components are sourced from untrusted vendors, as they could potentially be compromised.

The establishment of common standards, like software APIs for power interfaces, to ensure interoperability and ease of use for new systems.

The ability of different military systems and components to work together seamlessly, a key goal in modernization efforts that Chariot Defense's solutions aim to support.

The process of changing electrical energy from one form to another (e.g., AC to DC, or adjusting voltage/frequency), crucial for integrating diverse power sources and protecting sensitive equipment.

Alternating Current power produced by generators, which often needs conversion to DC for electronic devices and can be inconsistent, requiring buffering and regulation.

Using materials like space blankets to maintain temperature, a simple solution employed by soldiers to keep batteries functional in extreme cold.

Application Programming Interfaces, used as an analogy for standardizing power interfaces to ensure interoperability and ease of use for new systems.

Implied through the discussion of Wi-Fi connected systems and complex networks, where power management is a critical factor for device functionality and security.

A power strategy that integrates multiple sources, such as diesel generators and batteries, to enhance efficiency, reliability, and tactical efficacy.

Advanced technology breakthroughs crucial for electric aircraft and other high-density power systems, enabling software-controlled power and compact designs.

The philosophy of command and control that empowers subordinates to exercise disciplined initiative within general guidance, requiring reliable communication and power systems.

The process of providing fuel and other necessities to military units. Inefficient generators and fuel consumption create logistical burdens and targetable signatures.

Temporary reductions in voltage or power supply, which can disrupt or damage electronic systems if they are not protected by stable power sources.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which included investments in battery cell technology, a significant push for onshore manufacturing.

Mentioned humorously in relation to the 'Big Five' legacy programs of the army.

A book that influenced Adam Warmth's thinking on re-industrialization and economic competition, particularly relevant to his views on supply chains and domestic manufacturing.