AREAS OF FOCUS

RCA16 will address a wide variety of topics in the areas of interest below. Participants are encouraged to focus their pre-event preparation consistent with the following:

1. Energy Generation:
• Modular, scalable, and rapidly configurable power and energy solutions that cater to SOF-peculiar mission requirements and durations, ensuring effective logistical support.
• Mitigatable, low, or no inherent risk from direct or indirect fires.
• Non-traditional generators to ensure power production flexibility when conventional JP-8 or diesel supply lines are compromised or limited.
• Lightweight, compact, man-portable power generation kits designed for small units to sustain them during extended missions without vehicle support.
• Transportable small form factor power sources (e.g., radioisotope thermoelectric generators [RTGs], microreactors, radiovoltaics [betavoltaics]) that offer weeks or months of uninterrupted power supply.
• Innovative power generation concepts (e.g., harnessing energy from fluid movement, wind capture) with minimal mechanical complexity and/or moving parts, which are well-suited for SOF maritime mission sets.

2. Power Distribution & Advanced Energy Storage:
• Intelligent microgrid control systems that optimize power consumption levels across various devices/equipment/mission-critical systems, and automatically load balance based on operator-defined or mission-critical needs under varying logistical supply conditions.
• Next-gen battery chemistries (e.g., aluminum-air, lithium-sulfur, or solid-state batteries) that offer dramatically higher energy densities and are less volatile than current Li-ion systems.
• Energy storage systems that offer instantaneous charging and discharging, minimal degradation over cycles, and extreme miniaturization.
• Technologies that enable the efficient conversion of various energy sources into electrical power and long-distance transmission with minimal power loss.

3. Hybrid Power Solution:
• Hybrid power solutions utilizing various energy sources (e.g., hydrocarbon fuels, solar, wind, nuclear) that reduce or eliminate logistical support tails while minimizing emissive properties (e.g., noise, heat, waste).
• Environmental energy harvesting techniques (e.g., thermoelectric, kinetic) to power low-draw sensors and comms gear passively.

4. Parts at the Point of Need • Native resourcing and local procurement solutions to overcome disrupted supply chains and minimize logistical burden.
• On-demand manufacturing and assembly of task-specific capabilities with limited user intervention, empowering teams to respond to evolving requirements.
• Self-contained, field-based advanced manufacturing of power components and circuitry from locally sourced or supplied precursor materials.
• Advanced repair and refurbishment techniques that can predict maintenance needs, proactively deliver spare parts and components, and quickly restore functionality to damaged equipment.