GM Defense Introduces Hybrid Tactical Vehicle: A Modern Humvee Replacement
Out of the military vehicle industry, GM Defense has developed a hybrid tactical vehicle, the Next-Generation Tactical Vehicle, built on a Chevy Silverado chassis, designed to modernize the Army’s fleet and potentially succeed the Humvee.
The Humvee, a military workhorse for 40 years, is becoming less safe. Rollovers have increased fatalities, prompting some safety improvements. While the Army is adopting the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), it wants a smaller vehicle akin to the Humvee. This hybrid design aims to fill that need.
GM Defense’s Next-Generation Tactical Vehicle, combining the Chevy Silverado with the Duramax engine used in the Infantry Squad Vehicle, integrates a powerful electric battery capable of outputting 300 kilowatt hours and a 15-gallon fuel tank. This innovative design provides a range of benefits.
“The automotive industry has moved way on from that and our soldiers deserve [more], not just from the driveability and performance, but from the ability to support all their various missions,” stated JD Johnson, GM Defense VP.
GM Defense has utilized commercial-off-the-shelf features, alongside advanced technologies from its electric vehicle programs, including the Hummer EV. Lessons from the successful rapid production of the Infantry Squad Vehicle, which used a Chevy Colorado chassis, were also incorporated.
The hybrid design offers advantages in several crucial areas, including:
- Reduced Thermal and Acoustic Signature: The vehicle can operate in “silent mode,” enabling the engine to be powered down, which offers a significant tactical advantage.
- Reduced Battery Burden: The vehicle lessens the need for soldiers to carry large amounts of batteries by offering a more efficient power source.
- Enhanced Off-Road Capability: Instantaneous torque technology allows for effective off-road performance.
- Improved Safety: The design incorporates modern rollover protection systems.
The new vehicle features electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes, features often absent in military vehicles. The Next-Generation Tactical Vehicle is transportable by C-130 and C-17 aircraft and can be lifted by CH-47 Chinook or MH-53 King Stallion helicopters.
GM Defense displayed the vehicle at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference, showcasing a model equipped with advanced weaponry, including a Kongsberg remote weapon station, a Lockheed Martin Javelin anti-tank missile launcher, a Drone Buster, and a tethered drone for reconnaissance.
The hybrid design incorporates the advantages of commercial technology to provide the Army with a more capable, fuel-efficient, and safer platform.
