System integration - Electrification of weapons and protection on hybrid electric military ground vehicles
Publish date: 2022-01-24
Report number: FOI-R--5244--SE
Pages: 20
Written in: Swedish
Keywords:
- system integration
- electrification
- ground vehicle
- hybrid drivetrain
- modelling
- Matlab Simulink
- HPM
- laser weapon
- electric armour
Abstract
Work on electrification of military vehicles was intensive at the beginning of the millennium, but lost momentum, mainly due to the slower-than-expected development of energy storage capacity. An increase in investments in electrical solutions for military platforms is now seen again, largely driven by the ongoing transition to electric and hybrid operations in the civilian sector. The focus is mainly on propulsion, and the drivetrain of the next generation of lighter military vehicles and heavier tracked combat vehicles are expected to be at least partially electrified. At the same time, electrical weapons and protection applications are currently emerging with increased interest and investment both internationally and within Sweden, and the realization of these applications require special demands on their energy supply system. At FOI, there is unique expertise in different types of pulsed high-power applications, in addition, battery testing and development is a research area quickly growing at FOI. A simulation model designed at FOI for energy supply of a military platform is specifically focused on how to deliver high power and energy and fills an important knowledge gap in the development of future electrified military platforms. This report provides a brief analysis of activities around the world in the field of electrification of primarily military ground vehicles. Then a simulation model of an energy supply system for an electrified ground vehicle is described. The model was developed early in 2000s, but modernized during the past year. Finally, future work is discussed.