Hybrid Electric Systems for 20-Ton Platforms

Hybrid electric propulsion has matured to the point that it is in production for small vehicle platforms. Work still needs to be done on adapting the technology for heavier weight classes. The dramatic increase in fuel efficiency, the exhaust emission reductions and the availability of an on-board source of high-power electrical energy for auxiliary systems are important for the commercial and military market. The U.S. Army's National Automotive Center (NAC) in Warren, MI, and United Defense L.P. (UDLP) in San Jose, CA, have developed a series hybrid 20-ton tracked military vehicle to explore this technology. This paper describes this work and its application to the other hybrid programs.