Hybrid-Electric Howitzer Set to Debut

[unhappycamper]

Hybrid-Electric Howitzer Set to Debut
Popular Mechanics | Erik Sofge | January 02, 2008

The Army's new hybrid electric system, which passed initial tests at a BAE Systems lab, could debut next year in a howitzer.

There are lots of eco-friendly reasons to switch to a hybrid. And then there's the Army, which has announced that its entire family of Manned Ground Vehicles (MGV) will use a new hybrid electric drivetrain, starting with the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon, a 155mm self-propelled howitzer. Of all the potential advantages listed for the system, including better low-speed maneuverability than those with traditional drivetrains, none has to do with limiting emissions or reducing carbon footprints.

Much like the diesel/electric off-road "Aggressor" prototype announced by the Army this past May, the new hybrid howitzer bears little resemblance to a Prius. The vehicle will generate more electrical output than a commercial hybrid to provide power for sensors, on-board computers and other integrated systems. All eight MGV variants, which range from artillery pieces to recon vehicles, will double as portable generators. And while the Aggressor will potentially be able to switch to a battery-only "stealth" mode, the MGVs will simply have a lower acoustic signature. The new propulsion system passed its first complete test, conducted at a BAE Systems facility in Santa Clara, Calif., and the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon is scheduled to enter production late next year.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,158739,00.html



uhc comment: Meet the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon:



It's purdy and made by our good friends at BAE --> http://www.defense-update.com/products/n/NLOS-Canon-FCS.htm


Here's a video and an interesting discussion on NLOS --> http://www.videosift.com/video/Future-Combat-Systems-Non-Line-of-Sight-Cannon

[xchrom]

1. you can blow people up -- and be Green about it!

the warm and fuzzy approach to war.

[Kolesar]

2. A product that an Eco-nazi can *really* get excited about!

In all fairness, the military wants to reduce fuel consumption for logistic purposes.

[unhappycamper]

3. Our military is guzzling 340,000 barrels of oil a day.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=6910

[DCKit]

4. The whole "eco-friendly" thing kind of goes out the window...

when you're shooting depleted uranium rounds at people.