GM Defense LLC welcomed Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks earlier at the GM Technical Center, highlighting how GM’s defense and government-facing business will support the Department of Defense (DoD) in becoming a more electric, autonomous and connected organization, now and into the future. Secretary Hicks and her team visited GM Design, responsible for advanced, production and industrial design operations supporting GM’s entire portfolio of brands and subsidiaries. Hicks also toured GM’s Estes Engineering Center, the largest battery validation lab in North America, enabling GM to perform major battery durability tests in-house at the cell, module and pack levels.
“GM Defense has a tremendous opportunity to leverage our parent company’s investments in advanced battery technologies and adapt them to meet defense requirements. The more we can adapt existing commercial technology, the faster we can modernize warfighter capabilities and quickly deliver technology at the speed of relevance. I appreciate Secretary Hicks taking the time to get to know GM Defense as we look to partner with Department of Defense on its electric future. As the leader executing the DoD’s priorities, her leadership in the pathway to electrification is inspiring,” said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense.
Further highlighting GM’s innovation, GM Defense also showcased its light and agile nine-Soldier, all-terrain Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) and accompanying ISV demonstration variant. Secretary Hicks got behind the wheel of the ISV and experienced firsthand how GM Defense is redefining military mobility. As part of GM’s Global Innovation organization, GM Defense will leverage GM’s expertise and proven capabilities to bring new, innovative solutions to the defense and government sector, creating growth opportunities for the company.
GM Defense is the military product division of General Motors focusing on the defense industry needs with hydrogen fuel cell and other advanced mobility technologies. GM Defense projects include SURUS (Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure) an autonomous modular platform joint project with the United States Army. ZH2 are modified Chevrolet medium and full size pickups modified for military needs. The ZH2, fitted with a hydrogen fuel cell and electric drive, has a stealthy drive system which produces a very low smoke, noise, odor and thermal signature. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense’s technologies results from decades of proven performance and billions of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent, General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
