Empowering Mobile Forces: The Role of On-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP) in Military Operations

Rajesh Uppal September 1, 2024 Army, Energy & Propulsion Comments Off on Empowering Mobile Forces: The Role of On-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP) in Military Operations 961 Views

In today’s fast-paced battlefield environment, military vehicles must adapt to meet the escalating demands of modern warfare. With cutting-edge electronics and weapon systems placing unprecedented strain on power resources, traditional solutions are falling short. Enter On-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP), a game-changing technology poised to revolutionize military operations.

As global concerns over energy usage and environmental sustainability continue to shape technological development across industries, the defense sector has witnessed a surge in investment in solutions aligned with the broader trend of vehicular electrification. Modernization pressures have driven the deployment of unmanned platforms, digital command-and-control networks, electronic warfare systems, and other technologies, amplifying the need for reliable power sources in challenging or remote environments. However, traditional energy supply chains are vulnerable, as evidenced by operational bottlenecks caused by attacks on fuel convoys during low-intensity conflicts. Recent events, such as the conflict in Ukraine, have further underscored the vulnerability of energy supplies, prompting a search for alternative solutions. OBVP technology offers a paradigm shift by leveraging the power generation capabilities of military vehicles to provide an alternative source of AC power on the battlefield.

Addressing the Power Gap: Challenges of Traditional Systems

In the dynamic landscape of modern warfare, mobility is a cornerstone of success for military operations. As military forces undergo rapid transformation to become lighter, more agile, and better networked, the demand for power to support advanced weapons systems and electronic technologies has surged. This surge has led to the exploration of innovative solutions, with On-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP) technology emerging as a game-changer in providing continuous AC power directly from military vehicles.

Traditionally, military vehicles have grappled with the challenge of supplying energy to power-hungry mission electronics, including navigation, communications, and survivability systems. Conventional solutions involved hauling diesel generators on trailers, posing logistical challenges and compromising vehicle agility.

As military vehicles become increasingly laden with power-hungry equipment, the limitations of traditional electrical systems are becoming glaringly apparent. Navigation, communication, and defensive systems vie for a finite supply of electricity, often supplemented by cumbersome towed generators. These generators, while effective, pose logistical challenges, impeding mobility and requiring constant refueling and maintenance.

Some equipment may use a special generator to provide electricity, but some systems, such as Threat Detection, Active Protection Systems and data communications are operating continuously, draining the vehicle’s energy reserve. In order to meet this demand, vehicle designers integrate more powerful alternators, auxiliary power units, energy generation systems and high capacity batteries to increase the energy available on board.

However, OBVP technology offers a transformative approach by tapping into the power generation capabilities of military vehicles themselves. By integrating powerful alternators, auxiliary power units, and high-capacity batteries, OBVP systems enhance energy availability on board, eliminating the need for external generators and boosting operational efficiency.

Empowering Military Mobility: The Promise of OBVP

OBVP presents a smarter, more efficient alternative by tapping into a vehicle’s existing engine to directly generate electricity. This eliminates the need for separate generators and unlocks a host of advantages:

Enhanced Mobility: Liberated from the constraints of towed generators, vehicles equipped with OBVP can traverse rugged terrain and maneuver through tight spaces with unparalleled agility.
Streamlined Logistics: With fewer generators to transport and maintain, logistical burdens are significantly reduced, freeing up valuable resources for other critical tasks.
Rapid Deployment: OBVP systems provide instant power, eliminating setup times associated with traditional generators and ensuring swift response to evolving battlefield scenarios.
Fuel Efficiency: By minimizing reliance on external generators, OBVP helps optimize fuel consumption, enhancing operational sustainability and reducing logistical dependencies.

The integration of On-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP) technology addresses critical challenges faced by military vehicles in meeting escalating power demands efficiently. Traditionally, vehicles carry multiple batteries, costing thousands of dollars each, leading to frequent idling of engines for charging and extensive refueling requirements. While augmenting power capacity is a superficial fix, a comprehensive power management strategy offers a more effective solution. Power management systems enable dynamic power distribution during different vehicle states, optimizing energy usage and reducing wastage. Moreover, electrifying mechanical accessories like pumps and cooling fans contributes to heat reduction and fuel savings, enhancing overall efficiency.

Whether deployed in remote regions, urban environments, or austere conditions, OBVP enables military forces to maintain connectivity, operate communication devices, power electronic warfare systems, and sustain essential equipment—all without the need for traditional fixed infrastructure. This capability not only enhances operational flexibility but also reduces reliance on external power sources, thereby increasing force autonomy and resilience in the face of logistical challenges or disruptions.

OBVP technology

OBVP technology revolves around the concept of integrating electrical energy storage and distribution capabilities into existing vehicle platforms, either through trailer-towed modules or electrified propulsion systems like hybrid-electric or fully electric drivetrains. While the concept was initially explored by the US military in the early 2000s, limitations in vehicle electronics design hindered its viability. However, advancements in civilian electric vehicle technology, including battery systems and power-control units, have reignited interest in OBVP. Companies like Plasan have developed modular solutions like the All-Terrain Electric Mission Module (ATeMM), which combines mobile energy storage with a remotely operated unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). Similarly, Oshkosh Defense and Allison Transmission have integrated OBVP technology into existing military platforms, enhancing their versatility and operational capabilities. OBVP technology not only offers significant efficiency savings in fuel consumption but also aligns with emerging Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives, making it a promising solution for future military operations. As military forces worldwide seek to balance strategic challenges with sustainability goals, OBVP technology is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing battlefield mobility and resilience.

The implementation of OBVP encompasses a diverse array of military vehicles, ranging from armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles to utility trucks and command vehicles. These platforms are equipped with integrated power generation systems, such as diesel generators or hybrid electric powertrains, capable of producing and distributing electrical power to onboard systems and external devices. Moreover, advancements in energy storage technologies, including lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells, further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of OBVP systems, enabling prolonged missions and reducing the need for frequent refueling or recharging stops.

Vehicles equipped with OBVP systems not only experience reduced logistical complexity but also gain enhanced operational adaptability. For instance, the inclusion of a 10-KW OBVP system in vehicles like the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) significantly reduces reliance on trailer-towed generators, enabling smoother navigation across diverse terrains. This aligns with the military’s shift towards expeditionary operations, where units deploy rapidly to austere environments and require immediate access to reliable power sources. Moreover, OBVP systems hold potential beyond the battlefield, with applications in disaster response scenarios to power emergency shelters, hospitals, and vital infrastructure, further highlighting their versatility and impact.

OBVP solutions and rechargeable energy sources

Leonardo DRS is at the forefront of OBVP development, recognizing the growing need to support power-hungry onboard systems and serve as mobile power stations for deployed command posts and wearable electronics. Traditional vehicle power systems, relying on alternators, often fall short of meeting evolving power requirements. Directed-energy weapons, crucial for defending against enemy threats, demand substantial power, highlighting the inadequacy of existing systems. The integration of OBVP, such as the TITAN system, offers a revolutionary approach by leveraging the vehicle’s powertrain to generate electricity efficiently. With the potential to generate up to 120 kilowatts of power, OBVP systems enable vehicles to function as self-sustaining power grids, supporting a wide range of military and humanitarian missions. As OBVP technology continues to advance, its widespread deployment within the next few years could transform not only military operations but also disaster relief and recovery efforts, underscoring its significance in modern warfare and beyond.

Leonardo DRS’ TITAN OBVP system exemplifies the pinnacle of OBVP technology. Integrated seamlessly into a vehicle’s drivetrain, TITAN delivers robust power output without compromising performance. Key features include:

High Power Output: Generating up to 120 kilowatts, TITAN is capable of powering essential military operations with ease.
Dual Power Modes: Providing 55 kW while in motion and ramping up to 120 kW when stationary, TITAN offers versatile power solutions tailored to dynamic operational requirements.
Enhanced Mission Capability: From mobile command posts to field hospitals, TITAN empowers a diverse range of military applications, enhancing mission effectiveness across the battlefield.
Logistical Efficiency: By eliminating the need for towed generators, TITAN simplifies deployments and reduces the logistical burden on military forces.

Allison Transmission Inc. and Leonardo DRS have joined forces in Indianapolis to advance the deployment of On-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP) systems, which are currently being utilized in select military vehicles such as the U.S. Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile battery command and control vehicles and launcher vehicles, based on the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) from Oshkosh Defense in Wisconsin.

This collaboration extends to the exploration of OBVP applications across a wide spectrum of wheeled and tracked military vehicles. Specifically, Allison Transmission is working alongside Leonardo DRS to develop OBVP systems tailored for the 44-ton Oshkosh HEMTT equipped with THAAD anti-ballistic missile launchers. These OBVP systems are seamlessly integrated into the Allison 4500 Specialty Series™ transmission housing, preserving the vehicle’s original configuration and functionality. By eliminating the need for separate generators, OBVP enhances vehicle agility, reduces logistical complexity, and aims to improve mean time between mission failures.

One unique example is the All-Terrain Electric Mission Module (ATeMM) developed by Plasan, combining the capabilities of a trailer-towed power system with those of a remotely operated unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). The ATeMM is a modular platform which can be employed either as an independent mobile energy storage system, which can be integrated with electrical microgrids to provide ‘Off-Board Vehicle Power’ to static installations such as forward operations bases, or it can alternatively be hitched to a manned vehicle to provide a rechargeable energy source.

The ATeMM’s modularity allows for various mission modules to be integrated and powered by the platform’s generator, further increasing its versatility. Other companies have focused more heavily on integrating OBVP technology within an existing platform’s vetronics architecture to dramatically enhance the versatility of those platform themselves.

Expanding Horizons: OBVP Beyond Battlefield Power

The applications of OBVP extend far beyond mere battlefield electricity provision. Imagine:

Command and Control Centers: Reliable power for mobile headquarters, enabling seamless communication and decision-making in dynamic environments.
Advanced Weapon Systems: Powering next-generation laser and directed-energy weapons, enhancing battlefield lethality and precision.
Field Medical Care: Critical power for field hospitals and medical equipment, saving lives and enhancing battlefield healthcare capabilities.
Disaster Relief: Providing vital power for humanitarian missions and disaster response efforts, bolstering resilience and aiding recovery efforts in times of crisis.

Looking Ahead: The Future of OBVP

As OBVP technology continues to evolve and mature, its transformative potential is poised to reshape the landscape of military operations. With enhanced efficiency, mobility, and versatility, OBVP heralds a new era of battlefield power provision, ensuring that military forces remain agile, responsive, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.