The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Development Accelerated

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The Pentagon has intensified efforts testing the potential of hybrid and electric vehicles. Moving to electric would increase the overall engine performance and improve power generation inside the vehicle, while also reducing the fossil fuel emissions and, potentially, the logistical burden.

In January, the US Army is expected to accelerate its hybrid-electric Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and put it through several tests next year. A hybrid Bradley — and large fleets of electrified vehicles — could provide the Army with both cost savings and a battlefield advantage, Stanley Darbro, deputy director of the Army RCCTO told breakingdefense.com. 

A hybrid Bradley will be able to operate in silent mode for about six hours and improve the performance of weapons systems.

Two hybrid electric Bradley prototypes are being developed by the Army. The hybrid-electric Bradley effort is about 15 months into a 24-month prototyping effort, powered by a $32 million contract for BAE Systems to integrate hybrid-electric drive technology onto the vehicles. The company is currently finishing up integration on its first Bradley, with the second one expected to be completed in February or March, Darbro said.

Then the hybrid electric Bradleys will undergo testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. and Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz, driving through rough terrain to see how it performs and competing against another vehicle.

The vehicles will also provide power using the electric capabilities to charge battlefield gear.