Covert Army ops to run on diesel PHEVs

The United States Army will soon use diesel hybrid electric vehicles for its quick-paced special operations including reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting. Called clandestine extended range vehicles, the automobiles will be developed and shipped by plug-in hybrid manufacturer Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. to the United States Army's National Automotive Center under the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center.

Meanwhile, the Special Operations Command will fund the development of the hybrid automobile. Each of the six vehicles to be developed has a torque rating that exceeds 5,000 foot-pounds and can maintain a speed of 80 miles per hour while ascending 60% grades. Moreover, its new proprietary Quantum Q-Force hybrid powertrain feature is capable of reducing fuel consumption by up to 25% compared with a conventional vehicle, and thus can significantly reduce carbon footprint.

The feature has undergone performance and safety tests.Alan P. Niedzwiecki, president and chief executive of Quantum, said the hybrid vehicle program will improve the military’s tactical capabilities while easing fuel burden. Quantum Fuel Systems specializes in the development and production of advanced propulsion systems, energy storage technologies and alternative fuel vehicles. It is based in Irvine, California and its shares are traded on the Nasdaq market.

Source : EcoSeed, by Jen Balboa, November 11th, 2009