U.S. Army Unveils MP HYBRID Vehicle Platform at SAE 2005 World Congress
Dual Use Light Duty Hybrid Vehicle Ideal for Military Police and Commercial Industry Operations
DETROIT, April 11 -- The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC)'s National Automotive Center (NAC), in conjunction with Quantum Fuel System Technologies Worldwide, Inc., and California Motors LLC, today unveiled the MP Hybrid vehicle platform at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 2005 World Congress. The MP Hybrid is a modular, easily configurable light duty vehicle platform designed to support a variety of homeland defense, military and commercial missions. This dual use military/commercial platform will reduce overall costs by providing a common base system and maximum commonality of other non-automotive components required to meet mission needs.
The MP Hybrid is designed for non-tactical applications at medium speeds, reducing the strain on existing tactical vehicles used for these needs. The MP Hybrid military variant will feature a removable 5 kW Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) designed by Advanced Propulsion Technologies, Inc., and will be able to add-on ballistic lightweight armor package designed by Klune Industries. The civilian variant, which features a low-cost, high-performance diesel engine, is designed for campus operations, airport surveillance and other off-highway activities.
"The MP Hybrid enhances the capabilities of U.S. Government vehicle fleets by providing a low-cost alternative for traditionally non-tactical operations," said Dennis J. Wend, executive director of the NAC. "Working with Quantum Technologies and California Motors, we've developed a technically-advanced dual use vehicle platform that will improve the effectiveness of agencies engaged in patrol and routine tasks as well as counter-terrorism and interdiction operations along U.S. borders."
Alan Niedzwiecki, president and chief executive officer of Quantum Technologies, commented on the versatility of this military/commercial vehicle platform.
"The MP Hybrid is not just one vehicle," said Niedzwiecki. "It is a modular, easily configurable, light duty platform that allows a fleet purchaser to define requirements, select from a variety of assemblies and features, and custom configure the body and powertrain to best suit their specific vehicle need."
The MP Hybrids seat four full-sized adults, and include an additional 500 lb. payload cargo capacity for backpacks, toolboxes and other light duty hauling. The four-wheel drive military variant includes a series hybrid diesel/electric powertrain, removable 5 kW APU and two 10 hp (7.5 kW) electric motors. Front and rear drivetrains are completely independent, and managed through an on-board vehicle control system. The civilian variant is also four-wheel drive, includes a parallel hybrid diesel/electric powertrain, one 10 hp electric motor, one 18 hp diesel engine and on-board 110 volt AC outlets for pulling up to 5 kW power. The modular vehicle includes many enhanced maintainability features such as unencumbered access to the engine, electric motor, drivetrain, suspension and wheel area. Other maintainability attributes include similar front and rear suspension and wheel subassemblies, as well as the use of other common components where possible.
The MP Hybrid has overall dimensions that facilitate improved stability, mobility, increased internal space and payload. The vehicle will be ready to accept many modular options such as armored body, advanced energy absorbing bumpers, and various shelter/containers configured for unique missions. Additional advanced technology objectives for the MP Hybrid include:
* Primary Vehicle Power: The platform demonstrates a core objective of
reducing fuel consumption when compared to current military vehicles
with the same payload capability by utilizing hybrid electric/combustion
technology.
* Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM): Through
simultaneous and/or concurrent engineering, the vehicle platform
demonstrates concepts that show how a combination of easy maintenance
(operator level) coupled with ultra reliable components will result in
excellent RAM characteristics.
* Mobility: The vehicles provide a more suitable platform than other light
duty vehicles for Military Police patrols, base operations, routine
personnel transport and remote power generation and supply.
* Maintenance: The vehicles allow for easy access to all drivetrain
components, and diminish the use of tools. This allows the operator to
complete routine tasks with minimal effort (30 minutes or less). Future
versions of the MP Hybrid will include pit-stop maintenance.
* Survivability: The military variant is easily modified with an
interchangeable ballistic body kit.
5 kW APU - Powered by Opposed Piston Opposed Cylinder (opoc(TM)) Engine
Designed by Advanced Propulsion Technologies, Inc. (APT), this new lightweight "briefcase" size 5 kW generator delivers unprecedented power density for in-vehicle power needs, plug-in exportable power and soldier- portable battlefield operations. This specially designed Electric Power Cell (epc(TM)) plugs into a vehicle's fuel and electrical system to produce quiet exportable power independent of the main engine. This arrangement can support battlefield operations, as well as commercial vehicle heating and cooling systems and various recreational products. This improves the vehicle's overall fuel economy by eliminating idling, reducing emissions, fuel usage, maintenance costs and unnecessary engine wear. The APU boasts five times the power density of conventional generators and five times greater specific power, with an engine that has 40 percent fewer parts compared with conventional four-stroke engines.
Add-On Armor
Designed by Klune Industries, this armor replacement body is made of advanced composites for use on the MP Hybrid using rapid prototyping manufacturing techniques. This armor has a durable, field-repairable design that will reduce material and manufacturing costs as well as manufacturing time while increasing ballistic performance.
TARDEC, headquartered at the Detroit Arsenal, Warren, Michigan, is the nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology. TARDEC's mission is to research, develop, engineer, leverage and integrate advanced technology into ground systems and support equipment throughout the life cycle. TARDEC's 1,100 associates develop and maintain vehicles for all U.S. Armed Forces, many federal agencies and more than 60 foreign countries. TARDEC pushes the state-of-the-art in technology areas of Survivability, Mobility, Intelligent Systems and Maneuver Support and Sustainment. TARDEC leads several Army Future Force science and technology efforts -- collaborating with the Army's combat developers -- to ensure we field robust equipment that meets aggressive cost, schedule and performance standards.
TARDEC's National Automotive Center is the Army's official link to commercial industry, academia and government in developing dual-use automotive technologies that meet the needs of both defense and commercial industries. Together, they lead the way in providing our Soldiers vehicles and vehicle technologies that will increase survivability and ensure mobility on the battlefield while reducing design, manufacturing, operations and maintenance costs.
