Dual Use Light Duty Hybrid Vehicle Ideal for Military Police
and Commercial Industry Operations
DETROIT, April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.,
(Nasdaq: QTWW) 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.
SOURCE U.S. Army TARDEC's National Automotive Center
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Related links:
http://tardec.army.mil
CONTACT:
Scott Sadlon, TARDEC/NAC, +1-703-253-0944;
Don Jarosz, U.S. Army TACOM, +1-586-574-8820; Cathy Johnston,
Quantum, +1-949-399-4548, Mike Kasaba, California Motors,
+1-805-388-5535, Robert Reali, Advanced Propulsion,
+1-805-685-5065
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