Allison Broadens Onboard Electrical Power Development for Army

Allison Transmission, the world's largest manufacturer of commercial-duty automatic transmissions and a leader in hybrid propulsion systems, has expanded its partnership with Leonardo DRS to develop On-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP) systems for military vehicles. 

The latest collaboration involves a heavier class of military vehicles – the 44-ton Oshkosh Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) equipped with Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile launchers. 

A generator will be fully integrated within the housing of an Allison 4500 Specialty Series transmission and installed into the HEMTT's driveline in its original configuration, without affecting vehicle functionality. In fact, the OBVP will improve agility and reduce logistics costs because the vehicle will no longer have to be equipped with a separate generator. In addition, the OBVP is intended to improve mean time between mission failures.

Allison expects to complete the first 4500SP Series with OBVP capability in 2020. When matched with Leonardo DRS power electronics, the system has the capability to produce electrical power for use on- or off-board the vehicle – up to 120 kW when the vehicle is stationary. More significantly, unlike towed generators, the system will be able to provide power – up to 55 kW – while the vehicle is on the move.

"An OBVP system will give THAAD air defense operators continuous access to electrical power directly from the transmission without interruption. This capability will enhance soldier effectiveness and unit readiness," says Ken Adgie, Director of North America and U.S. government Defense Business at Allison.

The OBVP system is compatible with the Department of Defense's objective of evolving from conducting operations from forward positioned bases, common in Iraq and Afghanistan, to an expeditionary mindset where units rapidly deploy to austere environments and are immediately prepared to begin operations. When matched with Leonardo DRS power electronics, the OBVP system has the capability to produce up to 120 kW, or up to 55 kW when the vehicle is on the move.

The need for onboard electric power has grown as military vehicles are equipped with more sophisticated electronics including computers, air defense radar and directed energy weaponry.

"The electrical loads on vehicles have increased dramatically. It's getting more and more difficult to produce that level of power with an engine-driven generator/alternator. Allison is proud to be partnered with Leonardo DRS in the development of OBVP technology that will result in innovative and adaptive propulsion solutions that provide capabilities not available today," says Dana Pittard, Major General (Ret.) and Vice President for Defense Programs at Allison.

Vehicles using OBVP technology consumed 23% less fuel than those using a Quiet Tactical Generator, according to a 2016 study by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC).

Allison and Leonardo DRS are exploring OBVP uses throughout the full range of wheeled and tracked vehicles. In recent years, the companies have been collaborating on an OBVP system based on the Allison 3200SP transmission for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV), which travel in support of the larger, heavy-class THAAD launcher vehicles.

The OBVP systems being demonstrated by Leonardo DRS and Allison also have potential uses off the battlefield. State and local emergency response agencies could use such systems during natural disasters to power emergency shelters, for example. When daisy chained, such systems could power hospitals, senior citizen homes, water purification plants or other vital infrastructure.

Allison Transmission is celebrating 100 years of support to the U.S. Army. Allison provided aircraft engines during World War I and WW II. In the late-1940s, Allison developed automatic transmissions for tanks and other tracked vehicles, and later provided transmissions tailored for wheeled military vehicles. Today, Allison continues to reliably move equipment and soldiers with more than 100 fully automatic applications for tracked and wheeled military vehicles.