BAE tests hybrid electric drive for new ground combat vehicle

The hybrid electric drive system of BAE's new ground combat vehicle has undergone 2,000 miles of testing on a fully integrated mobility platform, UPI reported. The testing, the company said, was not a requirement of the technology development phase contract it holds from the U.S. Army but the company decided to test the system technology ahead of schedule. "This testing achievement is a significant advancement in the overall GCV program," said Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of Armored Combat Systems at BAE Systems. "With actual hardware to show, this puts the BAE Systems team ahead of schedule both now and in the next phase of the program, saving the customer development time and money. "Our primary objective was to test our hybrid electric technology over time against realistic environments, and the successful completion of the testing is a testament to the quality and maturity of the technology." The "hotbuck" testing platform used integrates hybrid electric drive system components that will be used in BAE's ground combat vehicle offering to the U.S. Army, including the traction drive system, thermal systems, engines, generators, controllers and software. The tests were conducted at a BAE Systems facility in and replicated conditions at two well-known military test tracks. BAE Systems was awarded a contract for the technology development phase of the ground combat vehicle program -- scheduled to end next June -- in August 2011. It is in competition with General Dynamics Land Systems to supply the Army with new ground combat vehicles.