U.S. Army Gets Eco-Friendly Hybrid Prototype

Popular Mechanics reports on The US Army's new a hybrid-electric drivetrain, which is battery-dominant and employs a diesel engine as generator.

It's the driving force behind the Aggressor, the latest in a string of prototype alternative mobility vehicles (AMVs) for military ground operations requiring speed and stealth, such as recon and surveillance.

Spec-wise, the Aggressor accelerates from 0 to 40mph (64 km/h) in 4,0 sec while it can reach a top speed of 80mph (128 km/h).

Combine that with extended range and exportable power, and this should be one tough-to-detect AMV for missions involving communications, surveillance and targeting.

While the first prototype, built in 2004, never made it beyond military testing and evaluation, the new pre-production Aggressors aim to be energy- and mission-sustainable.

AMV program offers an innovative solution as a long-range reconnaissance vehicle that fills a technology gap for the U.S. Army in its national defense efforts while reducing its fuel logistic burden.