U.S. Army Goes Green?
PRNewsWire wants us to know that the U.S. Army has unveiled a hybrid-electric propulsion system for their latest Manned Ground Vehicles (MGV). The hybrid design is a bit like a Chevy Volt on steroids: a traditional engine (de-coupled from the drivetrain) powers a generator that drives the motors, juices the vehicular sub-systems and recharges the batteries. Before you start thinking that our military forces are becoming tree-huggers, the hybrid MGV nothing to do with increased efficiency. "The Army is using hybrid-electric power because the more modern [combat vehicles] have much greater electrical power requirements than [the ones currently in use]. Hybrid-electric vehicles provide the requisite electrical power because they employ a rechargeable energy storage system."
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Holy Operation Petticoat, Batman! Pink recon vehicles? I guess the senior brass have attended one too many sensitivity training classes.
You can't deny that they pull like a freight train... William C.: I think our LCD panels need tweaked -- there is a slight pink tinge to the photo...
Although they're not purchasing them because of higher fuel efficiency, they'll still probably get better mileage them the present HMMWVs of similar specs. Even 2-3 mpg is still a big percentage improvement, and the military will love their decreased logistical support requirements. If these hybrids use wheel hub motors (as they should) they also allow nearly unlimited suspension articulation. The added redundancy of the powertrain also gives it some ability to drag itself out of a firefight even after one or two wheels have been blown off. And you gotta love the color; nobody will be able to spot it in the Tournament of Roses Parade.
Saving on fuel has nothing to do with hugging trees. For the military it means an increased patrolling range and/or a smaller fuel tank that will allow more other stuff to be carried on the same sized vehicle. Even out here in the civilian world, the desire for increased MPG doesn't just come from a granola-crunching, tree-hugging Gaia-humper. It could just as easily be a fiscally responsible conservative who wants to save some money.