Fuel Pods: A New Approach to Front-Line Fuel and Water Resupply

2 days ago
4 min read

Napoleon famously said that an army marches on its stomach. Today, sustainment matters as much, if not more, for modern armed forces. Provisioning warfighters near front lines with logistics, support, equipment, ordnance, supplies, fuel, and water is a key enabler of operational readiness and effectiveness.

Getting fuel and water to where they are needed near combat zones carries inherent risks for personnel and equipment exposed to hostile fire – a fact that hasn’t changed in many years. Jerry cans made popular during World War II, and the venerable 55-gallon drums for storage of fuel and other petroleum, oil, and lubricant (POL) products are still used today.

We thought there had to be a better solution for the modern battlefield, one that can benefit from the rapidly advancing autonomous aircraft and vehicle technologies. That’s the inspiration behind flexible DROPS-enabled 150-, 75-, and 25-gallon stackable fuel Pods.

DROPS is the Drone Recharging Operational Payload system that enables any UAV to seamlessly find, dock, and deliver a payload without the need for human intervention. DROPS can take control of the UAV as it approaches and guide it in for capture. TB2 Aerospace can apply DROPS to just about any payload, including our Pods. Our Pods are C2-connected, internally powered, and have standardized physical interfaces independent of size. They are stackable, which, in the case of fuel Pods, permits vertical fuel transfer from upper to lower pod. Think of them as the shipping container for the drone space: standardized interfaces, smart, networked, and stackable like Lego bricks.

Why DROPS Fuel and Water Pods are a benefit to the modern battlefield

Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARPs) remain high-risk, manpower-intensive fuel logistics nodes in modern combat environments.
Autonomous fuel logistics reduce convoy exposure, manpower requirements, and detection risk in high-threat theaters.
DROPS-enabled fuel Pods enable autonomous UAV and UGV fuel resupply operations with minimal or no ground personnel.
Stackable 150-, 75-, and 25-gallon Pods support rapid helicopter refueling, fuel transfer, and potable water distribution near contested front lines.
Patented vertical fuel transfer system and universal docking interface enable multi-mission payload swapping across UAVs, UGVs, and USVs.

HERO Program Inspiration

The U.S. Army recently introduced the Helicopter Refueling Operations (HERO) project to revamp outdated aircraft refueling and rearming procedures. HERO called for solutions to reduce the number of soldiers in harm’s way while increasing the efficiency and safety in the setup, refueling, and disassembly of Forward Arming Refueling Points (FARPs) to boost the availability of rotary aircraft and decrease the likelihood of detection and attack.

FARPs are mini logistics bases, with fuel, pumps, hoses, aircraft, and service members. Each one typically requires 26 personnel. A 2009 report from the Army Environmental Policy Institute estimated 132 fuel-related casualties over 5,133 convoys in Iraq and 38 casualties over 897 convoys in Afghanistan.

Recently, fuel depots have been a primary target of missiles and drones in the war in Ukraine. Modern peer conflict environments increasingly feature drone strikes, precision fires, and ISR-driven targeting of logistics nodes, making fuel depots and convoy operations prime targets.

FARPs are high-value, vulnerable assets ripe for new solutions that leverage modern automation, especially given the logistics, security, and mobility challenges and risks in today’s transformed battlefield settings.

DROPS-Enabled Autonomous Fuel and Water Pods for UAV and UGV Delivery

The HERO project inspired TB2 Aerospace to develop a 75-gallon fuel Pod able to be delivered by a UGV or UAV. They boast an autonomously stackable design, patented vertical fuel transfer system, D1 Nozzles, and internal pumps rated to refuel a Blackhawk helicopter in minutes with no ground personnel required. The crew can connect the fuel lines and run the entire refueling process without ground personnel.

A modern solution for the tried-and-true 55-gallon drums, Jerry cans, and fuel trucks, fuel Pods carried by DROPS-enabled UAVs, UGVs, or USVs can enable the autonomous delivery, recovery, and/or relocation of POLs for virtually any sustainment requirement. Stackable fuel Pods of different capacities can be delivered to more locations close to combat zones on a regular schedule with little or no human intervention. Fuel Pods come equipped with fill nozzles and can automatically transfer fuel and water from the upper pod to the lower pod once stacked.

DROPS-enabled UAVs and UGVs are multi-mission capable thanks to the standardized physical interface: The DROPS universal docking and locking system enables quick, autonomous swap-out of different payloads. This means the same UAV used to deliver munitions to a FARP could, for example, transport a cargo Pod with nozzles and hoses, a 150-gallon fuel Pod, or a 75-gallon Pod full of potable water on a subsequent trip.

TB2’s fuel and water Pods are straightforward solutions for today’s sustainment operations that come with distinct advances. With DROPS-enabled UAVs, UGVs, and Pods, servicemen can:

Schedule autonomous delivery and pickup of fuel or water at locations where they are needed most – close to combat zones.
Remove or eliminate the need for human intervention, keeping warfighters out of harm’s way.
Enable multi-mission operations so drones can perform different missions, including secure delivery of ordnance, ISR sensors, counter-UAS, general cargo, and fuel and water.
Reduce costs and complexity.

The pace of change on the battlefield resulting from advances in attritable, cost-effective autonomous unmanned aircraft and ground vehicles is breathtaking. Innovations like the DROPS autonomous docking and locking interface and interchangeable Pods broaden the effectiveness, performance, and utility of UAVs and UGVs in both defense and commercial applications.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is DROPS, and how does it make UAVs, UGVs, and USV’s multi-mission capable?

DROPS is the Drone Recharging Operational Payload system that enables any UAV or UGV to seamlessly locate, identify, capture, and deliver a payload without human intervention. Think of them as the shipping container for the drone space: standardized interfaces, smart, networked, and stackable like Lego bricks. DROPS universal autonomous docking and locking interface and payload Pods turn a UAV or UGV into a multi-mission capable platform.

What is a DROPS-enabled fuel Pod?

A modular, stackable fuel or water container compatible with the DROPS universal docking and locking system for autonomous UAV, UGV, or USV delivery.

How do fuel Pods reduce FARP risk?

By minimizing or eliminating the need for ground personnel during fuel delivery, transfer, and refueling operations near contested front lines.

Can fuel Pods support helicopter refueling?

Yes. The 75-gallon Pod includes internal pumps and D1 nozzles capable of refueling rotary aircraft such as Blackhawk helicopters in minutes.

Are fuel Pods limited to fuel transport?

No. In addition to transporting petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL), Pods can transport water, general cargo, munitions, ISR payloads, and other modular mission packages.