Posted by Courtney E. Howard
JOHNSON CITY, N.Y., 9 March 2010. BAE Systems won a contract to develop an onboard vehicle power management system to improve U.S. Marine Corps mission effectiveness by increasing electric power available to ground forces. The contract calls for installation of a power management system in a government-furnished High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle for test and evaluation by the Marine Corps in the summer of 2010.
The Marine Corps is evaluating systems from two suppliers and plans to award a contract for five to 10 additional systems later this year.
The system is designed to more than triple the HMMWV's electric power output and provide exportable power to support facilities such as forward-deployed command centers and field hospitals. It also can provide mobile emergency power during natural disasters. The contract award is part of the Marine Corps' Onboard Vehicle Power program, funded by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"BAE Systems recognizes the need for more electricity to power the equipment of the modern military," says Marion Van Fosson, general manager of military vehicle systems for BAE Systems. "Our system supports the Marine Corps' commitment to develop and field new solutions that reduce energy consumption and dependence on fossil fuels. Most importantly, the technology will help improve mission effectiveness."
BAE Systems will perform vehicle integration work that expands the HMMWV's power generation capability to 30 kilowatts of continuous mobile onboard power, directly supporting Marine Corps expeditionary units. The integrated, modular, scalable system generates and manages power for use on the vehicle and as an exportable power source, eliminating the need for towed generators and improving the HMMWV's mobility.
The system also manages electrified automotive accessory systems, such as water pumps, engine fans, power steering pumps, and air conditioning. Electrifying these traditionally belt-driven systems improves mobility by providing more horsepower to drive the vehicle, improving fuel economy, and extending engine life.
BAE Systems' onboard power management system is currently used on the U.S. military's Paladin Integrated Management vehicle and demonstrated on the HMMWV, Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles, and Stryker vehicles.
Join the PennWell Aerospace and Defense Media Group on Linkedin at http://bit.ly/9MXl9
Become a fan of Military & Aerospace Electronics on Facebook at http://bit.ly/1VGM0Q
Post your aerospace and defense-related material to the #milaero community on Twitter. Use the #milaero hashtag.
Join your industry colleagues in the Command Post community online at http://community.milaero.com
