Hybrid SUVs of the future will likely benefit from multi-million dollar research projects and technology being developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) today.
Significant funding is being dedicated to develop more efficient hybrid engines, high-strength composites to reduce body weight, better performing transmissions, and new batteries. All of which will go into heavy and large military vehicles to transport troops and carry out combat missions.
Much of the work is being done through the Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and its National Automotive Center. TARDEC is the DoD’s leading laboratory for research and development of advanced military vehicle technologies. All told, more than $320 million is being spent for Army research on combat vehicle and automotive technologies.
Some of the research is aimed specifically at developing a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). Within this program, some work was done on the XM1124 Hybrid-Electric Humvee. A CNET preview of the military hybrid Humvee noted the importance of technology in developing this type of vehicle.
So exactly what is being developed in conjunction with the Army lab? Late last year, the DoD awarded a number of contracts for a variety of projects including:
$3.2 million for a hybrid engine development program at TARDEC. This program focuses on both basic and applied research in engine technology, power electronics, control technology, and other areas. Research areas include theoretical analysis, computational design and analysis, and experimental verification components.
$3.28 million for the development and testing of advanced plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies. This project seeks to develop and deploy plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies that will reduce DoD fuel consumption.
$2.8 million for hydraulic hybrid vehicle technology. The aim of this research is to develop a new line of advanced, highly efficient, hydraulic pumps and motors, which will replace conventional automatic transmissions and could significantly improve overall drivetrain efficiency in military vehicles.
$2.4 million to continue development of advanced composite materials technology for lightweight, wear resistant ground vehicle components including prototype brake drums.
$2 million for the development of a digital hydraulic hybrid system. The goal of this project is to develop a hybrid hydraulic system that is significantly lighter and smaller, which also improves fuel efficiency by 50 percent improvement over current technology. The hybrid hydraulic system resulting from this research will be demonstrated on a HMMWV.
$27 million for domestic lithium ion battery production. These funds will be used to develop domestic industrial sources of advanced battery technologies for use in military applications. Lithium ion batteries also have dual-use applications in the commercial automotive industry for hybrid electric vehicles.
$2.4 million to continue development of lightweight, rechargeable lithium ion batteries using nanomaterials technology. Lithium ion batteries based on nanomaterials could be considerably lighter than currently available battery systems.
This technology will first be used in military vehicles. But much of it will make its way into commercial vehicles. And because many of the military vehicles share similar attributes (large size, heavier body weight, etc.) to hybrid SUVs, SUV manufacturers will be able to leverage the expertise gained through the DoD programs to quickly incorporate the technology into their models.
Follow the work being done by TARDEC here.
To see a (non-hybrid) HMMWV in the field, watch this video.
