Offering improved silent mobility, hybrid and electric
drive systems will provide sustainability benefits and
deliver potential military advantages, reducing noise
and increasing stealth capability. Electric systems
will also provide game-changing power off-board, while
increased power onboard will allow the vehicles to
operate the latest technologies.
The innovative hybrid electric-drive system will be
developed by NP Aerospace. The Coventry-based company
will work in collaboration with General Dynamics UK,
Supacat and Magtec to create prototypes of the Foxhound
and Jackal 2 vehicles to test the new technology.
Defence Minister , said:
It is vital our armoured vehicles are equipped with
the latest technology so we can maintain our
battle-winning edge.
These tests will ensure our Armed Forces have the
latest, safest and most efficient technology, while
continuing to support prosperity across the UK. They
represent a potential opportunity to improve our
vehicles sustainability and military effectiveness.
Alongside delivering multiple technical and operational
enhancements, the introduction of hybrid technology
will ultimately reduce the Army’s reliance on fossil
fuels - a step towards the Government’s 2050 net zero
goal.
Adopting greener technology into the MOD’s equipment
fleet is part of the department’s strategy to reduce
its contributions to carbon and greenhouse gas
emissions. Measures like this will be reflected in the
department’s ongoing Climate Change and Sustainability
Review, led by Lt Gen Richard Nugee.
Lt General Richard Nugee said:
It is great to see the Army testing electric vehicles
that will benefit not only our world-class personnel,
but also our planet. This goes to show how seriously
we are incorporating sustainability into our
operations, while simultaneously pushing the
boundaries of military innovation.
The review will focus on a range of initiatives from
the MOD’s NZ50 strategy to setting the right baseline
for defence’s emissions and carbon footprint, with
findings set to be published in December 2020.
This next-generation army vehicle technology is being
tested under the Protected Mobility Engineering &
Technical Support (PMETS) programme, which is ensuring
that the UK’s cutting-edge fleet of 2,200 armoured
vehicles are continuously updated and upgraded.
The £63m PMETS contract was awarded to NP Aerospace in
2019, supporting 100 jobs in Coventry and 250 jobs
across the UK supply chain until 2024.
The hybrid electric drives project is known as
Technology Demonstrator 6 (TD6), which sees the Army
prototype hybrid drives and assess the benefits. The
initial stages of TD6 is expected to be showcased at
the Defence Vehicle Dynamics 20 (DVD20) in November.
