Advanced Hybrid Electric Drive (AHED) Technology Demonstrator

The National Automotive Center (NAC), part of the U.S. Army's Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) and General Dynamics Land Systems have designed, fabricated and will demonstrate a series hybrid electric propulsion system integrated into a 20-ton Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 8×8 ground vehicle. The technologies of this vehicle, namely the Advanced Hybrid Electric Drive (AHED) Technology Demonstrator, may be candidates for inclusion into the automotive platform of the Future Combat Systems (FCS) ground vehicles.

This paper discusses the logistical advantages of hybrid electric propulsion systems. It addresses fuel economy, technology maturity, platform commonality, and automotive performance as it relates to fighting, maintaining and supporting the FCS ground force.