Lightweight, but no pushover. The Ultra Light Vehicle is designed for action.
Capability. This word describes a lot when it comes to the battlefield. It may be used to describe offensive or defensive technologies, intelligence gathering, troop training and so on. Army engineers have more to worry about than delivering punishment. They need to account for being on the receiving end as well.
Armor is the most obvious element of protection against attack. Maneuverability and efficiency are very important as well. An unfortunate consequence of physics is that bulky, heavy materials tend to work well as armor. Neither of those characteristics benefit the Soldier.
The Army has been working to reduce weight while maintaining or improving reliability. This isn’t limited to armor plate. It has been applied to a variety of parts including the power-train.
The result of this ambition is the “Ultra Light Vehicle.” As described in an Army news release, the Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, known as TARDEC, began development of three Ultra Light Vehicles, or ULVs, in fall 2011.
The ULV is not intended to be fielded as a combat vehicle. Rather, it serves as a research and development platform designed to produce data that can be used by other TARDEC agencies and related organizations so they can develop their own vehicles and equipment in the future.
The ULV’s project manager, Mike Karaki summarizes the goal, “We tried to push the envelope in terms of state-of-the-art and out-of-the-box materials throughout the entire development process.”
This effort resulted in some interesting changes. Of course, the weight had to come down. The goal for the ULV’s was 14,000 lb.
Before you get all “Jillian Michaels” about that number, consider that the current version of mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles weigh about twice that.
The weight loss came through a combination of lightweight, advanced material armor, lightweight wheels and tires and other lightened automotive systems. Partially, the improvements are thanks to its hybrid drivetrain.
That’s right, it’s a hybrid. This is nothing like your Prius, however. It’s more like a train, really. The ULV uses a diesel engine that drives an electric generator. That generator then powers two electric motors that turn the wheels.
It has two electric motors for redundancy. If one of the motors fails, in an IED explosion, for instance, the other may still allow mobility.
Obviously, reliability and survivability are crucial. The change in drivetrain also allows for an optimized underbody which can help deflect explosive force.
Two of three vehicles are undergoing survivability testing now. The third vehicle is undergoing automotive testing at TARDEC to evaluate its hybrid electric setup.
The two ULVs undergoing survivability testing will be destroyed as part of that testing. The third vehicle, the one at TARDEC, will be kept as a test platform. It’s kind of a shame to take such an involved project and blow it up, but in a way, that’s what it’s made for.
To see the ULV in action, click on the video below.
Images courtesy of the US Army.
