Electric Propulsion and Storage Technologies to Increase Reliability and Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels
NCMS Project #: 142080
Problem: Electrification transformation has just begun for medium duty (3.5 to 15 tons) and heavy–duty freight vehicles (greater than 15 tons). While these vehicles are primarily used in urban and/or suburban areas, their size and weight make them good analogs to understand the applicability of electrification for future medium and heavy–duty vehicles. The U.S. Army needs a coherent, common perspective of the opportunities inherent in electrification. The Army also needs technical assistance from industry to improve their understanding of the technical feasibility of Hybrid-Electric (HE) and All-Electric (AE) for combat vehicles, specifically tracked vehicles in the 40 – 60-ton weight class.
Benefit: This initiative is using the U.S. Army’s next generation combat vehicle as a surrogate to industry to demonstrate how electric propulsion and energy storage systems can be applied in the medium and heavy equipment commercial sectors.
Solution/Approach: The intent of this initiative is to evaluate the operational and maintenance benefits associated with electric propulsion and energy storage systems for medium duty and heavy-duty vehicles. Industry will provide the subject matter experts, AE and HE vehicle knowledge and insight into other commercial solutions. The government will provide access to vehicle specifications and technical documentation that describe the Army’s vision for the next generation of combat vehicles as well as functional and tacit knowledge. Gaps in requirements versus platform capabilities will be closed through modeling, configuration, and interface development.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Decrease dependence on fossil fuels
- Reduce noise pollution, greenhouse gases and emissions
- Improve air quality
- Extend operational warfighter readiness, survivability and lethality
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Army Program Manager – Maneuver Combat Systems (PM-MCS)
- U.S. Army Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) Cross Functional Team (CFT)
- U.S. Army Program Executive Office (PEO)-Ground Combat Systems (GCS) and sub commands (observer)
- U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC) (observer)
- U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), Program Manager Light Armored Vehicles (PM LAV) & PEO-Land Systems Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) (observer)
- U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Program Manager Family of Special Operations Vehicles (PM FOSOV) Advanced Ground Mobility System (observer)
Industry Participation:
- QinetiQ Inc.
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Positive environmental impact
- Improved readiness
- Energy efficiency
Focus Area:
- Energy, environmental, health, and safety