Transforming the military : the energy imperative
Contemporary war-fighting platforms on land, sea and air are continually evolving, becoming more agile and deadly. But despite their increasing performance, one factor remains unchanged, that of a near-total dependency on oil. Oil, processed into a range of refined liquid hydrocarbon fuels, is th...
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| Format: | Working Paper |
| Language: | English |
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2011
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/90580 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/6510 |
| _version_ | 1811696538096762880 |
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| author | Wong, Kelvin Ka Weng |
| author2 | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies |
| author_facet | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Wong, Kelvin Ka Weng |
| author_sort | Wong, Kelvin Ka Weng |
| collection | NTU |
| description | Contemporary war-fighting platforms on land, sea and air are continually evolving, becoming more agile and deadly. But despite their increasing performance, one factor remains unchanged, that of a near-total dependency on oil. Oil, processed into a range of
refined liquid hydrocarbon fuels, is the primary source of mobility energy for almost
every combat and utility platform in any modern military force. Extensive mechanisation
of military forces since the First World War has resulted in a great thirst for fuel in
contemporary battlefield operations, creating significant oil logistics burdens that degrade
overall battlefield performance. This problem is compounded by the fact that the global
oil market is inherently uncertain, as industrialised nations vie for a guaranteed supply of
oil to satisfy their economic and military needs. As a result, oil stocks are often prone to price fluctuations, stressing defence budgets as well as affecting peacetime operations and readiness. Technological solutions—in the form of alternative energy and propulsion options—are emerging but a number of challenges will need to be addressed before such technologies can be fully exploited. These challenges range from the technical—such as the immaturity of emerging technologies and their unproven operational performance—to
psychological barriers preventing military leadership from effecting change to established
oil-based infrastructures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-10-01T07:40:57Z |
| format | Working Paper |
| id | ntu-10356/90580 |
| institution | Nanyang Technological University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-10-01T07:40:57Z |
| publishDate | 2011 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ntu-10356/905802020-11-01T08:48:53Z Transforming the military : the energy imperative Wong, Kelvin Ka Weng S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies DRNTU::Social sciences Contemporary war-fighting platforms on land, sea and air are continually evolving, becoming more agile and deadly. But despite their increasing performance, one factor remains unchanged, that of a near-total dependency on oil. Oil, processed into a range of refined liquid hydrocarbon fuels, is the primary source of mobility energy for almost every combat and utility platform in any modern military force. Extensive mechanisation of military forces since the First World War has resulted in a great thirst for fuel in contemporary battlefield operations, creating significant oil logistics burdens that degrade overall battlefield performance. This problem is compounded by the fact that the global oil market is inherently uncertain, as industrialised nations vie for a guaranteed supply of oil to satisfy their economic and military needs. As a result, oil stocks are often prone to price fluctuations, stressing defence budgets as well as affecting peacetime operations and readiness. Technological solutions—in the form of alternative energy and propulsion options—are emerging but a number of challenges will need to be addressed before such technologies can be fully exploited. These challenges range from the technical—such as the immaturity of emerging technologies and their unproven operational performance—to psychological barriers preventing military leadership from effecting change to established oil-based infrastructures. 2011-01-11T02:20:39Z 2019-12-06T17:50:14Z 2011-01-11T02:20:39Z 2019-12-06T17:50:14Z 2010 2010 Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10356/90580 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/6510 en RSIS Working Paper ; 216/10 51 p. application/pdf |
| spellingShingle | DRNTU::Social sciences Wong, Kelvin Ka Weng Transforming the military : the energy imperative |
| title | Transforming the military : the energy imperative |
| title_full | Transforming the military : the energy imperative |
| title_fullStr | Transforming the military : the energy imperative |
| title_full_unstemmed | Transforming the military : the energy imperative |
| title_short | Transforming the military : the energy imperative |
| title_sort | transforming the military the energy imperative |
| topic | DRNTU::Social sciences |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/90580 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/6510 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT wongkelvinkaweng transformingthemilitarytheenergyimperative |