Today the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Chief
Executive announced investment of £3.2m in a new research
project to explore the latest vehicle technologies to boost
the performance of UK Future Ground Combat Vehicles.
The project, led by QinetiQ, will focus on innovative
solutions for ground vehicle mobility, exploiting the
potential provided by electric drive systems.
The aim of this project is to assess which of the latest
technologies can be applied to future ground combat
vehicles, and how those technologies would integrate with
current systems. This enables UK Defence to invest into the
right technology in a focused and assured way, reducing the
risk and saving potentially millions of pounds.
Gary Aitkenhead, Dstl Chief Executive, said
Technology changes the way we do things in every aspect
of our daily lives. This is never truer than adapting the
way we work, even on the battlefield. We are working in
partnership with QinetiQ to deliver a three-year
programme, which will move from concept studies to
prototype testing in a real-world environment. This
project will help ensure we have the best ground fleet
ever.
In particular, the project will investigate advanced
running gear solutions for wheeled manned and autonomous
vehicles to close the gap between the mobility of wheeled
and tracked vehicles. The running gear will integrate with
QinetiQ’s world-leading, in-wheel electric hub drive
technology and the two combined will deliver significant
benefits in armoured vehicle design. The solutions will
enable platforms with significant increases in operational
and tactical mobility along with survivability and fuel
efficiency benefits.
A spokesperson from QinetiQ said:
QinetiQ has supported UK Defence for decades –
channelling the expertise of our engineers, scientists
and many employees who have, themselves, served on the
front line.
This knowledge has enabled us to develop solutions, such
as our electric hub drive technology, which can truly
change the way we operate on the battlefield and enable
the use of power-demanding payloads, bringing added
benefits to capability and the wider mission.
In addition, the studies will explore controls for active
suspension – looking at electric and hydraulic options;
advanced tyre technologies, benefits for vehicle design,
terrain scanning and sensing, use of optical and light
detection and ranging (LiDAR) with other sensor systems -
such as RADAR - with an integrated control system, using
advanced data processing/fusion techniques coupled with the
application of novel materials.
The collaborative partnership is led by defence and
technology company, QinetiQ, and brings together a wealth
of industry and academic experience, including Cranfield
University, Formula 1 motorsports engineers - Williams
Advanced Engineering, military vehicle suspension
specialists - Horstman Defence Systems, vehicle development
and safety consultants - MIRA, control systems experts -
Contract Innovation and innovation and simulation leaders -
Catalyst Corporation.
The first phase of the programme, one year in duration,
will focus on studies, concepts and modelling; followed by
a second, two-year phase of prototyping and testing on a
mobile test rig, validating the benefits in a practical
environment.
