General Dynamics Land Systems–UK (GDLS-UK) has been awarded a GBP3 million (USD3.9 million) contract by UK’s NP Aerospace , under the UK Ministry of Defence Protected Mobility Fleet Vehicle Programme, to demonstrate an electric-drive (e-drive) Foxhound protected mobility vehicle and the Jackal 2 reconnaissance vehicle. The hybrid drive was developed by Magtec, and will be installed in co-operation with General Dynamics Land Systems-UK (GDLS-UK) and Supacat, the prime contractors for the vehicles. General Dynamics Land Systems delivers, amongst others, the AJAX family of vehicles, the Abrams main battle tank, LAV (Light Armoured Vehicle) and Stryker Family of Vehicles, and the Cougar Mine Resistant Ambush–Protected (MRAP).
The contract will enable General Dynamics Land Systems–UK to demonstrate an innovative e-drive solution for Foxhound, which is intended to deliver:
silent mobility
enhanced Silent Watch capabilities
off-board electrical power for light infantry soldiers
increased onboard power for the insertion of the latest technologies
General Dynamics Land Systems–UK is partner vehicle OEM for Foxhound and Magtec is the electric drive and battery technology partner.
Carew Wilks, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, said: “As technology develops to meet the future operating needs of the British Army, the demand for onboard power only increases, and electrification of land vehicles offers an innovative solution. Foxhound, the British Army light infantry vehicle of choice, already has an architecture that enables electrification and is a natural choice for this demonstrator. We look forward to demonstrating our e-drive Foxhound in the coming months.”
The hybrid drives will offer the vehicles an enhanced silent over-watch capability and increased on-board power for more complex electrical systems. The hybrid drive is expected to operate alongside the diesel engines of both vehicles, and include a battery that can be used for silent over-watch duties. The Foxhound was designed by the UK company Ricardo with an eye towards eventually fitting a hybrid drive if required. The contract is part of the Protected Mobility Engineering & Technical Support (PMETS) programme awarded to NP Aerospace in 2019 to support the UK’s fleet of 2,200 wheeled protected mobility vehicles with the goal of ensuring that the fleet is constantly updated and upgraded.
