FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., 8 March 2007.BAE Systems has developed a prototype advanced power management system designed to provide military tactical wheeled vehicles with capacity to generate electric power, addressing a critical warfighter need.
The system is being displayed on a high-power, high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) this week at the Association of the U.S. Army's Winter Symposium and Exhibition in Fort Lauderdale. The power system on the demonstrator HMMWV delivers electricity to operate subsystems such as electronic warfare, situational awareness, communications, and vehicle prognostics and diagnostics.
"The theme of this vehicle is power, and increased power means increased mission capability," says Hank McGlynn, vice president of Vehicle Systems for BAE Systems in Johnson City, N.Y.
Using a permanent-magnet generator, the system delivers up to 400 amps of 28-volt DC electric power at low engine speed. Its primary purpose is to provide enough on-board power to operate significant self-defense, weapon, countermeasures, and route-clearing systems.
It also provides power for electrified automotive accessory systems (water pump, engine fans, power steering pump and, in the future, air conditioning) that previously were belt-driven.
Subsystems installed on the demonstrator vehicle at the exhibition include a multi-band antenna that can take the place of three conventional antennas; a radio based on rapidly reconfigurable radio technology; Check-6, an infrared camera system that provides visibility in daylight, at night, and during periods of obscured visibility; prognostic and diagnostic sensors that monitor vehicle functions and predict the need for maintenance and repairs. The vehicle also features a vehicle emergency escape window to increase soldier survivability.
