Leonardo DRS has secured a contract to demonstrate its on-board vehicle power (OBVP) technology on Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launchers and missile battery command and control vehicles to the US Army.
The company’s Land Electronics business will integrate and demonstrate OBVP systems for the THAAD Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.
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The technology has the ability to give air defence operators immediate access to electrical power directly from a vehicle’s power train.
Leonardo DRS noted that the OBVP systems will meet the US Department of Defence’s (DoD) growing power demand for expeditionary and mission-critical needs.
The systems can generate up to 55kW of usable electrical power while on the move or up to 120kW when stationary.
DRS Land Electronics vice-president and general manager Bill Guyan said: “This proven system is designed to provide our customers with a solution to address the growing electrical power gap affecting all military ground vehicle platforms.
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By GlobalData“Leonardo DRS and our partner, Allison Transmission, have been long-time believers in OBVP technology. We look forward to delivering this technology to the Army to give warfighters numerous power options in the field where the power gap will only increase.”
The power system, which is integrated within the vehicle’s transmission, allows space for the Mission Equipment Package payload.
The company stated that the OBVP system can increase battlefield agility, reduce deployment logistics costs and improve mission readiness.
According to a study in 2016, the technology can help deliver 23% fuel savings over tactical quiet generators.
Leonardo DRS will work with Allison Transmission to jointly provide existing OBVP systems based on the Allison 3200 SP transmission.
The partners will also develop an OBVP system for the Allison 4500 SP transmission.
OBVP is designed for use on multiple vehicle platforms, including light tactical vehicles – high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWV), medium tactical vehicles and heavy tactical vehicles, mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles, and Stryker combat vehicles.
