UQM TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a developer of alternative energy technologies, announced today that two hybrid electric future heavy truck demonstrators developed by Armor Holdings for the U.S. Army that are powered by UQMO electric propulsion systems have begun Military Utility Assessment (MUA) Testing in March 2007.
The testing, which places the vehicle in operational service to perform a variety of mission assignments, is being conducted at Ft. Lewis, Washington. Prior to the MUA testing, the two demonstrator vehicles successfully completed nearly 3,000 miles of testing at the Michigan Proving Grounds and the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Grounds.
The custom 120 kW UQMO hybrid electric propulsion systems powering the vehicles were provided in support of Armor Holding's contract as part of the Army's Future Tactical Truck System (FTTS) effort to develop a demonstrator next generation tactical wheeled vehicle, called the Maneuver Sustainment Vehicle (MSV). The MSV program will allow the U.S. Army to evaluate the need and performance requirements for a future tactical vehicle
Chris Chambers, Vice President of Programs and Business Development at Armor Holdings' Tactical Vehicle Systems Division said, "The MSV design and development exercise has overcome many of the hybrid technology challenges this class of vehicle presents. Our work with UQM puts us at the forefront of this area and we are particularly pleased to have had the opportunity to assist the Army as they scope their potential future tactical vehicle requirements."
"We are pleased to be a member of the Armor Holding's team and have their vehicles move to this important next step of testing as part of the US Army's Future Tactical Truck System program," said William G. Rankin, President and Chief Executive Officer of UQM Technologies, Inc. "The 120 kW UQMO electric propulsion systems powering these hybrid vehicles incorporate our latest technology advancements which further improve their performance, power density and efficiency, as well as their reliability, durability and cost. Armor Holdings' plans to incorporate the lessons learned from conducting this demonstrator phase across their vehicle systems product development area to ensure that the U.S. Army continues to have available the most advanced tactical truck fleet in the world. The advantages of our systems are being recognized in a number of military vehicle applications, which we believe represents an important and growing market for the company."