Electric vehicles for the US Army. An important direction with an uncertain future
In the coming years, the US military will not have to part with canisters. Photo by the US Department of Defense
The Pentagon is interested in any promising technology, and electric cars are no exception. Over the past few years, the US Army has been conducting various studies and studying the real prospects of this direction. We have also already moved on to full-fledged testing of available models of equipment. It is assumed that in the distant future, such cars of the future will be able to supplement or even replace existing cars with internal combustion engines.
Theoretical basis
To date, the Pentagon and related organizations have conducted a number of studies on electric vehicles, their real capabilities and prospects in terms of army operation. The findings from these studies remain generally negative. They show that electric propulsion and related systems have some advantages over internal combustion engines. At the same time, there are serious shortcomings, which so far cannot be corrected.
For example, last year the research work “Powering the US Army of the Future” was carried out. Several automotive companies with experience in the field of internal combustion engines and electrical installations were involved in its implementation. Together, they determined the optimal shape of a hypothetical electric car and compared it with a diesel car.
The study confirmed that an electric propulsion system is substantially cheaper to operate than a diesel engine. The electric motor is quieter and emits less heat radiation. In addition, such a motor has a wider range of optimal characteristics, which improves the speed, dynamic and traction parameters of the chassis.
Hybrid Advanced Ground Mobility Vehicle by GDLS. Photo by the US Department of Defense
However, there are specific problems. So, a diesel car receives energy directly from fuel, and can also carry canisters with its supply. An electric car, in turn, needs a charging station and an energy source. In terms of stored energy, diesel is vastly superior to a battery, with a 1 lb (3,8 kg) battery required to replace 8 gallon (140 L) of JP63,5 diesel.
All this seriously complicates the operation of electric vehicles, and also requires the creation of a separate infrastructure. In addition, the electrical installation is less survivable and resistant to enemy action. As a result, an electric car made using modern technologies cannot become a full-fledged replacement for a “regular” car.
Practical activities
The presence of problems at the current stage does not preclude new research and even practical measures. Recently, it has been reported several times that the Pentagon is testing existing electric vehicles of various models. In addition, the competitive development of the Electric Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (eLRV) light reconnaissance vehicle has been launched.
Several companies immediately became interested in the eLRV program and are developing their own versions of such a car. So, in the spring of last year, two new cars with electric power plants, as well as several hybrid models and equipment with an improved internal combustion engine, came out for comparative tests.
Experienced car General Motors ISV. So far, it is equipped with a diesel engine, but electrification is planned. Photos of General Motors Defense
Based on the results of these activities, conclusions of a scientific and practical nature were drawn. In addition, the requirements for promising army electric vehicles were clarified. The experience gained will be used in the new phase of the eLRV program - if it is launched.
Several other organizations are developing their own projects or plan to join this direction. For example, last fall, GMC indicated its interest in the eLRV topic. It recently developed the Hummer EV for the civilian market and is now ready to build a military version of it. If there is an order from the Pentagon, the work will be completed in the shortest possible time.
At the end of June, American specialized publications reported that the Pentagon was interested in the Lifestyle car from Canoo, which had recently entered the market. The result of this was a contract for the supply of equipment for testing. Judging by the cost of 67 thousand dollars, we are talking about only one or two cars. In the near future, such equipment will be handed over to the customer and will be tested. She will have to demonstrate her characteristics in the conditions of army operation.
Auxiliary systems
The existing fleet of ICE vehicles is critically dependent on the supply of fuel, and a complex multi-component logistics system has been created to solve such problems. Electric vehicles, in turn, need charging stations and related infrastructure. These issues are also being worked out within the eLRV program and in similar studies.
Hypothetical military version of the Hummer EV. GMC Graphics
Currently, the US Army has several types of mobile power supply systems. First of all, these are diesel generators in containers, in automotive or stationary versions. “Green” technologies are also gradually being introduced, mainly solar panels. These funds are used for autonomous power supply of remote bases and other similar facilities.
In the future, the power systems of the bases will be charged with the task of charging electric vehicles, which will increase the requirements for them. To this end, various options for upgrading existing systems are already being worked out and fundamentally new solutions are being studied. It is curious that such projects will be useful regardless of the availability of electric vehicles - the resulting power plants will be able to work with any other consumers.
The development of existing diesel generators continues, aimed at improving economic and environmental performance while maintaining or increasing power. In addition, new "environmentally friendly" systems are being designed. At the same time, new opportunities for liquid fuel technology are also being explored. So, since last year, the Twelve E-Jet station, which runs on electricity and is capable of making synthetic fuel from water and air, has been tested. While she synthesizes only aviation kerosene, but in the future it will be able to produce other types of fuel.
However, all energy system projects to support the operation of electric vehicles face one common problem. They need a power source to generate electricity. In this capacity, liquid fuel is widely used, which can simply be poured into a car tank and used with a higher efficiency of the entire system.
Canoo Lifestyle is a new target for Pentagon research. Canoo Photos
With unclear prospects
Thus, to date, a very interesting situation has developed, but its prospects are still in doubt. The Pentagon is seriously interested in electric and hybrid propulsion systems for cars and has already completed several necessary studies. In addition, comparative tests of several existing machines with different power plant options were carried out. In parallel, issues of infrastructure and auxiliary systems are being worked out.
However, the results of all the work carried out so far are far from ideal. At the level of theory and practice, electric vehicles demonstrate only certain advantages, but at the same time they show a number of disadvantages. Moreover, getting rid of these problems is extremely difficult or even impossible at the current level of technology.
The future of the electric direction is still unclear. The need for further development of existing projects, such as eLRV, is not defined - as well as the need for completely new programs. However, most likely, work will continue. If successful, they will lead to the emergence of new equipment with special abilities and will affect the further development of the army. And regardless of the result, these projects will bring political, financial and image gains.
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