The U.K.-based QinetiQ Group recently said its E-X-Drive® transmission has been selected for the hybrid electric drive propulsion system for the BAE Systems–Northrop Grumman [NOC] team for the technology development phase of the Army’s Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) program.
The BAE-Northrop Grumman team was recently awarded a $449.9 million contract for the GCV program. A team led by General Dynamics [GD] is under a $439.7 million contract for the GCV technology development phase.
The E-X-Drive® transmission for electric drive tracked vehicles marks a significant step forward from conventional hydro-mechanical transmissions in terms of efficiency, size, weight, reliability and flexibility, the company said in a statement.
“E-X-Drive® is the key component of our hybrid electric drive propulsion system for the GCV having been proven by the U.S. Army’s Future Combat System program as the most mature and capable product available,” said Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of weapons systems at BAE Systems.
The BAE-Northrop team led a global search for the best system. In 2009, as the GCV competition moved forward, QinetiQ said it redesigned its E-X Drive from the canceled 24-ton Future Combat Systems manned ground vehicle and scaled it up for the GCV.
E-X-Drive® allows fundamental changes in vehicle configuration as the engine and transmission do not have to be connected mechanically, the statement said. This allows increased flexibility in the choice of power sources and their location, facilitating the easy introduction of fuel cells and advanced battery/energy storage technologies as they become available over the life-time of the vehicle.
The E-X-Drive® based system for GCV offers improved acceleration, agility, fuel efficiency and maintainability compared to the drive-trains of current combat vehicles. It also delivers electrical power for on-board vehicle systems, or as export power for stationary applications
“By combining our expertise in vehicle design with QinetiQ’s game-changing technology we are able to deliver an affordable electric drive propulsion system that enables exceptional force protection and mobility in a lower weight vehicle,” Signorelli said. “Our system has the added advantage of provisioning for growth in power requirements as new technologies are matured and integrated into the platform.”
QinetiQ will deliver several transmissions during the 24-month GCV technology development phase. They will be used to confirm demanding performance and durability targets, demonstrating the technology’s readiness for prototype builds during the engineering and manufacturing phase.
David Crane, program director, Power Management at QinetiQ, said the E-X-Drive® technology is a “key differentiator for the Ground Combat Vehicle and a significant innovation in armored fighting vehicle design.”