(Full Story Here) Highlights include a JP-8-compatible diesel and a battery-dominant series-hybrid configuration. This may not be the best vehicle to run against insurgents with, but I think it'd make a great succesor to the Willy's Jeep, should it actually make it into production status. Maybe they'll consider a civilian variant.....
I wonder if this will sway the hummer crowd? Even the army is looking to be less dependent on gas as this could become the one weakness for US in case of a larger conflict where oil embargo's are in place. The army should correctly be worried about running out of gas in future conflicts.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ May 21 2007, 04:00 PM) [snapback]446864[/snapback]</div> Maybe it will, maybe it won't; personally, I think that hybrid technology is doing exactly what I'm hoping it will do: take the automotive industry by force. I think auto manufacturers that were previously considering axing their hybrid models are going to reconsider. And I really hope it does sway the Hummer crowd. I would take back every negative thing I've said about GM and the Hummer if they converted their lineup to a series-hybrid system. Unfortunately, though, I don't see that happening.
Old news. Here's the replacement for the Humvee for all but the harshest urban environments. Even has "stealth" mode. http://www.army-technology.com/projects/shadow/index.html
Maybe. I don't think this "Avenger" concept to be a Hummer replacement; it looks like it's going to be more recon vehicle than anything else. And at this point, anything that reduces fuel consumption will help out! (Heh. On a side note, all the compact truck tuners can rejoice. The "Shadow" has a 'bagged suspension system! :lol
Vehicle Pic That vehicle is no replacement for a Hummer. It's much smaller, not much bigger than an ATV. Not sure it has much value. If it is produced, the manufacturing capacity for components from subcontractors might benefit the general public. For example, manufacturing capacity of integrated circuits originally used to produce chips for military projects during the Reagan years eventually was focused at consumer products. The initial capacities were subcontractors for the biggies such as Lockheed and General Dynamics. We need manufacturing capacitiy for a lot of new subsystems.
I don't know about going green. From what I saw on Discovery Channel, they are adding hybrid to go "stealth". We know how our Prius scares the hell out of Pedesterians, the Army is going to use the hybrids to scare the hell out of their enemies.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ruaqt @ May 21 2007, 11:08 PM) [snapback]447116[/snapback]</div> Exactly. This is something you'd see hiding behind enemy lines, maybe behind a ridgeline doing spotting duties for an Apache helicopter the way a Kiowa does - only with a much smaller profile. One has to wonder, though: what kind of speed is this vehicle going to be capable of?
I don't think the army is going green to be green. I do think they foresee future large conflicts where oil/gasoline will be scarce. I also think they would like to reduce the amount of transportation of gasoline that is needed. Hybrid systems could be great for that. Downside is more technology that can break. Hopefully thier effort will spill out into the consumer market. Hey, if they hummer could maybe a stealth ATV can as well?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ May 22 2007, 08:56 AM) [snapback]447245[/snapback]</div> Exactly, it's not to be green, the goal is to reduce the use of fuel. The army still doesn't use emissions control technology on any of their vehicles. Take a look at this: http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/auto...ws/2674491.html Diesel Progress Magazine had a good article on it a few months back. It makes sense, according to the "Winning the Oil End Game" by the Rocky Mountain Institute, 70% of the gross tonnage moved by the military in a time of war is fuel.
The Willys general purpose vehicle "GP," started the whole Jeep movement. This new, green prototype of a Willys-looking vehicle could start a whole new, green Jeep movement. Imagine a Willys-style Jeep with a diesel electric hybrid system, capable of on and off road travel, and extremely high mpg's. What's not to like? Harry
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ May 22 2007, 06:20 AM) [snapback]447254[/snapback]</div> That was going to be my response. Reduced trips transporting fuel = reduced loss of life and equipment.
Popular Mechanics just came up with a good write-up of what the new Aggressor hybrid is and is all about: Click Here 0-60 in 4 seconds?!? Why can't my Prius do that?!? (Ah, but I do know that there is so much depth to the differences between the Prius and the Aggressor hybrids. Things like doors, engines, motors, curb weight, body panels.....)
