CTMA Project #: 142170
Problem: Traditional Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), which use older engine architectures and inefficient power generation systems with limited diagnostic capability, only further contribute to the challenges to maintenance and sustainment of legacy platforms. The need for real-time data at every point in the supply chain continues to drive the development of new on-board technology and sensors capable of optimizing operations such as navigation, tracking, route automation, vehicle maintenance, and driver monitoring. Stricter emission regulations are further reducing the ability of legacy platforms to support the growing power and payload need of these on-board technologies that now include limitations on engine idle time which negates the use of the primary motor as a viable long-term solution for secondary power.
Benefit: This project will serve as a roadmap to the development of a small innovative APU that can be utilized on a legacy ground vehicle. Discoveries and knowledge gained during the project assessments can be extended and further examined to provide a roadmap for subsequent development by other maintenance organizations facing similar challenges.
Solution/Approach: Small innovative APUs that utilize alternative engine architectures and high efficiency power generation systems with advanced diagnostics are an effective tool in countering the negative effects that new onboard technologies may have on legacy vehicles, watercraft, and airborne platforms. Phase II of this initiative will continue to support the development of a next generation APU with an alternative engine architecture and advanced power generation system, used to demonstrate the impact of a small innovative APU on a legacy vehicle platform.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Extend capability and lifecycle of legacy platforms
- Reduce APU size and weight
- Improve quality and reliability of power delivered
- Lowers waste and disposal cost
- Increase warfighter lethality
DOD Participation:
- Office of the Secretary of Defense Rapid Reaction Technology Office (RRTO)
- U.S. Army Program Executive Office, Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS)
- Project Manager, Maneuver Combat Systems (PM MCS)
- Product Director, Main Battle Tank Systems (PD MBTS)
- Project Manager, Stryker Brigade Combat Team (PM SBCT)
- Project Manager, Next Generation Combat Vehicle (PM NGCV)
- Program Executive Office, Combat Support & Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS) (observer)
- U.S. Marine Corps (observer)
Industry Participation:
- Ricardo Defense, Inc.
- BlueSky Innovations
- HLX Drive Systems
- Trust Automation
- D2H
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Cost savings
- Maintenance avoidance and reliability
- Positive environmental impact
- Energy efficiency
- Durability
- Reliability improvement
Focus Area:
- Reliability improvement (hardware)
