About TMS

The Tactical Microgrid Standard (TMS) has been officially published as MIL-STD-3071, “DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INTERFACE STANDARD TACTICAL MICROGRID COMMUNICATIONS AND CONTROL”

This standard is approved for use by all Departments and Agencies of the Department of Defense (DoD)

This standard establishes criteria to enable the interoperability of hardware and software necessary to operate a tactical microgrid on the battlefield with respect to the design, intelligent control, stability and performance, security, safety of personnel, and the protection of the tactical microgrid system and equipment.

This standard defines the tactical microgrid architecture using open standards to support a modular, highly cohesive system structure in order to leverage the collaborative innovation of industry, academia, and government participants along with stakeholders.

Scope:

This standard establishes the communication and control interface requirements for Tactical Microgrids (TMGs) to enable TMG components to operate as a single entity to provide electricity in a tactical environment. This standard defines the component interfaces of the hardware and software necessary to provide intelligent control, power quality, electrical stability, electrical performance, safety of  personnel, security, and protection.

A tactical microgrid is a warfighter-operated and maintained power system consisting of a mobile, flexible group of interconnected power generation sources, distribution, energy storage, and load devices that act as a single, controllable system to provide electricity on the battlefield.

Purpose:

The purpose of this DOD standard is to define an open communication and control architecture for TMGs to facilitate: 

  • Interoperability between manufacturers of tactical microgrid components
  • Safety of personnel and equipment
  • Backwards compatibility with legacy equipment wherever possible
  • Security of the tactical microgrid communication network and controllers
  • Reduction of procurement, operational, sustainment, and maintenance costs

Application:

This standard is applicable to tactical microgrid systems, subsystems, and individual equipment. While this standard provides interoperability and design criteria guidance, it is not intended to limit innovation in the design or selection of specific hardware, software, materials, and processes.