Army advances alternative energy technologies

Blackanthem Military News, DETROIT, Michigan, April 22, 2006 13:22

The Army is at the forefront of alternative energy advancements that will improve the capability of America's military forces.

Working alongside industry and academia research leaders, these technology developments will not only support our Armed Forces, but have unlimited commercial applications.

The Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), with its National Automotive Center (NAC), is working with industry and academia partners nationwide to research cutting edge technologies in hybrid, hydrogen and fuel cell vehicle developments.

"The research base in Michigan allows us (TARDEC) to collaborate with our automotive and academic partners to develop alternative energy solutions that are transferable to both the military and industry," said Dr. Richard E. McClelland, TARDEC Director.

Ranging from solar panel power for the individual Soldier, to hydrogen, fuel cell and battery power solutions for military and commercial vehicles, the NAC sits as the gatekeeper for technology transfers between military, industry and academia.

Army partnerships in motion include:

* State-of-the-art Hydrogen Hybrid Demonstrator Vehicle - Quantum Technologies Inc., using a Ford Hybrid Escape platform, is working to pair hybrid electric vehicles with a hydrogen delivery and storage system that can potentially offer a cost effective alternative to fuel cell power;

* Dana Corporation's parallel and series Intelligent Hydraulic Drive technology for the Army's Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles and the HMMWV;

* The Hydraulic Hybrid, Advanced Materials, and Multi-fuel Engine Research program with Eaton Corporation's Hydraulic Launch Assist system; and

* United Solar Ovonic's UNI-PAC solar panel, which can be worn by Soldiers and adapted to recharge a field generator or vehicle.

Headquartered at the Detroit Arsenal, Warren, Mich., TARDEC is the Nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology is. TARDEC's mission is to research, develop, engineer, leverage and integrate advanced technology into ground systems and support equipment throughout the life cycle. Its technical staff leads research in ground vehicle survivability, mobility, intelligent systems, and maneuver support and sustainment.

TARDEC's National Automotive Center is the Army's official link to working with commercial and academic partners to create vehicles that give the Army the mobility, survivability and agility it needs to operate efficiently and effectively in today's new threat environment.

For the military, the NAC's partnership approach makes it possible to improve vehicle performance, safety and endurance while also reducing design, manufacturing, operations and maintenance costs.

For commercial partners, the application of jointly developed technologies has similar impacts - safer cars and trucks, more advanced technology available to the consumer, and lower costs because of the broader market base.

(Editor’s note: Information provided by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center.)

By Army News Service