Connecticut-based LiquidPiston has embarked on an innovative project to develop an ultra-compact auxiliary power unit (APU) intended for mobile command posts used by the US Army. This initiative comes under a small business innovation contract, specifically through the CATALYST program, which is valued at up to $15 million. The program supports the military’s transition from cumbersome towed generators to much more efficient and lightweight systems that align with the increasing power demands and help mitigate risks on the battlefield.
The design of LiquidPiston’s new APU focuses on a vehicle-mounted unit capable of delivering 10 kilowatts of power. This development is based on the company’s proprietary portable generator platform and will utilize their compact, basketball-sized, 25-horsepower XTS-210 “X-Engine” rotary engine. Notably, this machine adheres to Pentagon standards for portable power, and it significantly reduces the size and weight of the Army’s current 10-kilowatt Advanced Medium Mobile Power Source generator by approximately 75 percent.
The CATALYST project is an extension of several existing contracts that LiquidPiston has received from the Department of Defense. This includes a $9 million contract awarded in November for the development of an efficient rotary engine in collaboration with the Army Research Laboratory, as well as an $8.3 million contract from the Army’s C5ISR Center focused on creating a lightweight, high-efficiency generator. Most recently, the company secured a $35 million contract from the US Air Force aimed at advancing hybrid power system technologies.
Alec Shkolnik, co-founder and CEO of LiquidPiston, expressed pride and enthusiasm regarding the project, highlighting the firm’s commitment to supporting the US Department of Defense’s efforts to provide operational energy to warfighters. He emphasized the importance of these developments for troops that need to remain mobile in challenging logistics environments.
The CATALYST program, initiated in 2022, is directed at funding small businesses working on technologies with clear pathways to practical application. Companies that successfully meet initial project milestones may be eligible for Phase II Enhancement awards, which can unlock additional matching funds from the US Army and industry partners, potentially raising the total award amount to $15 million or even more.
