Humvee's replacement may be a hybrid
The current military-issue Humvee will be replaced by 2011, with contracts being awarded to suppliers sometime in 2009. At the moment the Army and Marine Corps are researching hybrid drivetrains for the Humvee replacement, with the Army conducting research on six different hybrid Humvees and the Marine’s testing the RST-V (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Targeting Vehicle) that employs electric motors in each wheel hub, just like Mitsubishi's Concept-CT unveiled at the Detroit auto show.
Hybrid technology is particularly attractive to military types because it’s capable of near-silent operation when running solely on battery power, provides a source of electricity for troops out in the field, and offers better acceleration in short bursts than either its diesel- or gas-only counterparts.
The Hybrid Humvee, however, could be eclipsed by even more advanced hydrogen fuel-cell powerplants almost as soon as it reaches the battlefield. Since everyone says these guys and gals do more before 7AM than most people do all day, we should expect a commercially viable hydrogen fuel cell vehicle from them by next Wednesday.
[Thanks Noel for the tip]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GM-man 9:38AM (2/16/2006)
Great. Then GM will try to dump this pig off on the public, too.
However, instead of getting 3 miles per gallon, it will get 4 to 5.
That's progress, Detroit!
Reply
Joe 9:41AM (2/16/2006)
Wow, sweet post, I wonder are they going to be making the hybrid for all the models like the hummer H3 or the hummer H3X, I am a true Hummer fan and I even have a site all about the Hummer H3, http://www.myhummer3.com this is great news either way I am glad to see that Hummer is being friendly to the earth.... Great Post!
Reply
Optimus Prime 9:46AM (2/16/2006)
Fuel cell military vehicle? What happens when an improvised explosive device rips through the hydrogen storage canisters? It would make a bad situation worst.
Reply
Gil 10:17AM (2/16/2006)
Optimus: The same thing that happens when you rip a gas canister.
I'm going to tell you a secret...don't tell anyone... gas explodes too
Reply
dave 11:14AM (2/16/2006)
I can understand the benefit of silent operation, but I was under the impression that military vehicles should be as simple as possible. The more complex they become, the more infrastructure is required to support them and the more specialized knowledge is required for each one.
Great marketing, bad idea.
Reply
ThomD 11:57AM (2/16/2006)
Sorry #4. Most military vehilces are diesel powered. No gasoline explosion.
Reply
kap0w 12:02PM (2/16/2006)
Simple? Like an Abrams tank is simple? In a perfect world they should be simple, but what they need to be is durable and field servicable. I think the US Military gave up simple a long time ago. For all the reasons stated above plus the fact that extended range or efficiency is a really good idea when you're sucking up tens of thousands of gallons of gas a day, hybrid doesn't sound like a terrible plan.
Reply
Koba 12:02PM (2/16/2006)
Like #5, I too wish I could bid on the maintenance contracts for the new ubercomplex monstrosities (looks to be rather lucrative). It is a terrible idea tho, I seriously doubt that they can soldier proof a hybrid. I can just see it now, about a dozen of these bad boys broke down outside baghdad with some good old boy under one trying to refill the batteries or some other ignorant crap (while another 5 watch, no doubt). I guess the military gave up on it's cardinal rule, KISS.
Reply
Hemidakota 3:11PM (2/16/2006)
This is move in the right direction...next on the horizon is atonomous vehicles.
I know, I wrote one those papers. LOL
Reply
M1EK 3:19PM (2/16/2006)
Wow. Even in a Red White And Blue God-Fearin' Army Vehicle story, you still manage to slam hybrids.
Here's a clue: If you ever see commercial fuel-cell vehicles, THEY WILL BE HYBRIDS. The fuel-cell will drive electric motors; and there will be regenerative braking. Guaranteed.
Reply
Hummer Tester 8:21AM (2/17/2006)
From a mileage point of view this makes a lot of sense.
I just always wonder if it really makes sense to put this much technology in warmachinery. After all, it's very unhealthy to have a breakdown in the field. Adding more gizmos in the form of batteries and electirc motors to the hummer definitely won't help its reliability.
Reply
max powers 5:57PM (3/31/2008)
Nothing happens when an IED "rips through" the ficticious hydrogen canister you spoke of. Fuell cell vehicles dont use stored hydrogen, they use ambient hydrogen and platinum catalysts.
Im not saying its a good idea, as an engineer I can assure you that hydrogen is an inevitable failure of epic proportions. The only reason it still exists is because taxpayers are ignorant and politicians know that "saving the environment"(which is ironic because hydrogen power pollutes more than it saves) is a big vote winner.
Reply
Brent 6:49PM (6/06/2006)
Electric motors are in general way more reliable than fuel powered ones. Especially DC powered ones which these would no doubt be.
Reply