Power is the greatest enabler for modern military personnel. It is also the greatest limitation. Therefore, alongside the latest electrically powered kit, modern defence needs a flexible, reliable and rapidly deployable power supply. The UK Ministry of Defence recognised this and contracted industry experts, Merlin Power Defence, to deliver the next generation of highly mobile power, the Merlin Power eXpeditionary (MP-X).
Merlin Power, the Exeter-based mobile power systems specialist, designed and delivered the MP-X hybrid power system directly to the MOD, from concept to in-service, in just 12 weeks.
Merlin Power Defence will publicly unveil MP-X at the DVD Event 2026 (Stand SP-14) at UTAC Millbrook this September, though for the British Armed Forces it will already be a familiar piece of kit, having been in service since April 2026.
MP-X is designed to fit and be transported by standard military vehicles, including the load bed of a Chevrolet Silverado HD.
Capability
MP-X is a highly mobile, modular, hybrid power system capable of delivering up to 20kW of peak power - enough to run tactical HQ, mission systems, counter-UAS, medical, radar and most 24V, 110V and 230V equipment in use today. It was developed to increase the availability of power to command elements at precisely the moment it matters most, being deployable in under five minutes to support fast-tempo operations.
The unit combines a 4.8kW diesel generator, a 6.4kW inverter and up to 36kWh of battery. These are intelligently managed and combined to provide up to 11.2kW of power continuously. The MP-X can also provide up to 500A continuously for running 24V equipment, charging, and jump-starting vehicles. Running silently on the inverter alone, it’s capable of delivering power for 18 hours at 1.5kW or 9 hours at 3kW. It also connects to other power sources including the grid, conventional generators and 24V vehicle power.
Additionally, MP-X is designed to be loaded, unloaded and deployed without Material Handling Equipment (MHE), and it can be transported by virtually any vehicle, bringing power right to the front line.
That ease of use carries through to operation, too. Automatic generator start/stop based on load and battery status, automatic flat-battery protection and automatic load assist mean just three selector switches govern almost all features; intelligence enabled by the Merlin DataCell II, the world's most accurate battery monitor.
A drawing highlighting the modular components of the MP-X.
SMEs, the powerhouse of the UK defence supply chain
With over 35 years of defence-sector experience, Merlin Power designed and manufactured the MP-X in the UK, drawing on a South West-centred supply chain and a national network of trusted partners.
The MP-X contract was awarded in January 2026, and the systems entered service in April. That pace is a direct result of working as an agile SME.
For Merlin Power, contracting directly with the MOD is a significant milestone. The company believes the MP-X programme proves that large, mission-critical projects can be delivered to the front line by small British businesses, and it is committed to sharing that experience with other SMEs looking to enter or grow within the UK defence sector.
A completed batch of MP-X units ready to leave Merlin Power's premises.
The MP-X is now a mainstream asset for UK military operations, which will also make it available for international and commercial applications, with its design aligned to NATO partner interoperability requirements.
Jay Guthrie MBE, Defence Business Development Manager at Merlin Power, said: “During my 30 years in the British Army, I was a user of numerous power generation systems on operations. The MP-X is a game-changer and a long-needed requirement. With its rapid deployability and scalable delivery of power, there is nothing else on the market that will match it. This has been a thoroughly enjoyable project to work on, and a real opportunity to shape a system that prioritises the user in its design.”
James Hortop, CEO of Merlin Power, said: “Merlin Power has again demonstrated its ability to rapidly prototype and deliver kit in a very short time frame at very reasonable cost. To date we have delivered 500 NHS vehicles in less than three months, hundreds of counter-UAS vehicle systems and trailers, and now the MP-X. For us, these projects are about making a difference for the end user and giving them real-world advantage.”
MP-X at DVD 2026
The MP-X makes its official public debut at DVD Event 2026 on 16th and 17th September at UTAC Millbrook, Stand SP-14. Numerous systems will be operational around the site, powering stands and equipment, so visitors can see the MP-X working under real load.
Merlin Power’s team will be on Stand SP-14 across both days for demonstrations and briefings, and to talk to other SMEs about the route to direct MOD contracting.