Operational Energy Capability Improvement

The Operational Energy Capability Improvement (OECI) program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative focused on advancing early-stage energy innovation to enhance military capabilities. The program's overarching goal is to ensure U.S. Joint Forces maintain energy superiority by investing in research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) of technologies that improve operational energy (OE) effectiveness, resilience, and efficiency across all domains. This includes contested and extreme environments such as the Arctic and space. OECI aims to accelerate the transition of pre-commercial, military-unique technologies to operational use, boosting lethality, readiness, and sustainability for the warfighter.

OECIF (Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund) is the primary engine for targeted science and technology investments under OECI. Its objectives include integrating OE into command and control architectures, developing real-time power and energy performance assessment tools, and enhancing mission planning with advanced analytics. OECIF supports the creation of a critical OE data layer for the Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) system, empowering data-driven decision-making and strategic investments. Notable accomplishments include precision energy management, energy data capture for logistics, and optimized UAV operations. The program also emphasizes training and education to build expertise in power and energy innovation across the DoD.

Operational Energy Resilience focuses on ensuring that U.S. forces have assured, robust, and resilient access to energy in any environment. The project invests in next-generation energy storage, power and thermal management for directed energy weapons, and innovative solutions for energy production and distribution, including hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Achievements include the development of hybrid airships for extended range, advanced thermal management for directed energy weapons, and tactical micro-gridding for interoperability. The program also supports projects that enhance energy storage, mobile power delivery, and battery management for operational effectiveness.

Operational Energy Demand Reduction aims to minimize the logistical footprint of military operations by reducing energy demand and increasing efficiency, particularly in aviation and space domains. The project invests in advanced airframe designs, electrification of aviation platforms, and power beaming technologies for wireless energy delivery. Key accomplishments include the demonstration of multipoint power beaming, validation of perovskite solar cell technology for space, and the integration of hydrogen fuel cells into UAVs. Congressional funding has supported initiatives that promise to enhance range, endurance, and operational effectiveness.

Nuclear Power is a strategic priority within OECI, driving DoD innovation in fission reactors and radioisotope power systems (RPS) to provide high-density, long-duration power for joint operations. The project seeks to make nuclear technologies safer, lighter, and more efficient, with investments in advanced materials, shielding, and energy conversion technologies such as Stirling engines and supercritical CO2 loops. Achievements include establishing domestic TRISO fuel production, supporting advanced reactor projects, and conducting studies to inform policy and technical pathways for nuclear power in defense applications. The portfolio also funds initiatives to repurpose legacy nuclear materials and strengthen the domestic supply chain for advanced fuels.

Congressional adds in FY 2024 provided targeted increases for high energy laser thermal energy storage, aviation efficiency projects, and nuclear power advancements, including advanced fuel and radioisotope systems. These investments have enabled the OECI program to address emerging capability gaps rapidly and support the DoD's strategic objectives for energy resilience, demand reduction, and technological leadership. The program maintains a strong record of transitioning completed projects to operational use, with a majority of initiatives moving into follow-on funding, exercises, or commercial markets.

Looking ahead, the OECI program's goals remain aligned with enhancing the resilience, efficiency, and effectiveness of U.S. military operations through advanced energy technologies. The transition to a new program element in FY 2026 will further refine the program's focus and ensure continued innovation in support of national security and operational readiness.