As part of a pledge to green the war in Iraq, President Bush will increase the number of hybrid engine aircraft carriers, according to the Onion News Network (see video below the fold). The fake news report also includes other ideas that the military could do to make the war green: carpooling troop transports, for example, or using lightweight balsa wood black hawk helicopters to save on fuel. While not in the report, the description of the video mentions biodegradable tanks. Be warned, the The Onion's jokes about greening torture might not go over well in the work place.

[Source: YouTube]

While spending a little time over at Faster and Faster, a site devoted to motorcycles posing with very beautiful, very scantily-clad women, (I was only reading the articles, honest) I saw a piece on this 100-mpg diesel motorcycle that Hayes Diversified Technologies builds for the military. This got my attention so I did a little digging and found out that, although these have been around for a couple of years, the New York Times has only recently got it's grimy hands on one and published its thoughts. After going over some informative back story relating to the Marine Corps' need for a motorcycle that runs on JP-8, NYT reporter Dexter Ford tells us what happened once he jumped aboard the beast, brought the clattering diesel to life and bore down on the throttle: "Not much." Apparently, it takes the bike a couple seconds to get to grips with the concept of forward motion. After that though, it's relatively smooth sailing. There is some vibration as this diesel lacks the counter-balancer employed by another, larger and more expensive diesel motorcycle. Still, the Hayesmobile is Marine tough and gets a tested 96 mpg. At 55mph.

If you are like me and are excited by the concept of mashing up knobby tires with a diesel engine. HDT is planning on doing a civilian version as soon as it can catch up with its increasing military business. I subscribed to their newsletter so I can keep up with all the happenings and keep you informed.

[Source: New York Times via Faster and Faster]

The U.S. Department of Defense has selected two companies, Diversified Energy and Velocys, to design a mobile biofuel manufacturing plant that would process organic waste from military installations. The plans are to use pyrolysis to create syngas to be used as biofuel for military vehicles and planes. The specifications also require these mobile plants to be able to produce the equivalent of 500 oil barrels per day.

The press release mentions that the Dept. of Defense is the U.S. largest fuel consumer in the country, with a $9 billion budget for fuel per year. Shaving off as much money (and the burden of transportation) from such a huge amount of fuel seems a good idea. Just think of the weight from armor, ammunition and the guns a regular vehicle has to carry and multiply by ... a lot.

The project is in a design phase, which would lead to a prototype in a not too distant future.

Related:

• Altair Nanotechnologies nets $7 million in Defense Appropriations Bill
• Just how much of a difference could efficiency gains make on oil imports? A lot
• Polaris MV800 ATV with Patriot engine uses multiple fuels

[Source: Velocys via Econoticias]

The video above is of a BAE Systems' electric-powered military vehicle. According to one of video description, BAE Systems has made military vehicles with "electromagnetic hub mounted wheel motors from MST." The military is very interested in the silence and efficiency of electric vehicles because of the tactical advantages of stealth and long ranges. Below the fold you will find a video of MIT's concept electric city car. The car stacks in a row, which allows for a better use of space and the car at the end of the stack to recharge. The cars can even be customized to match the drivers preferences. Watch it change colors in the video.

[Source: YouTube]

We've been over the fact that the military likes hybrid and electric vehicles before, and the reasons are rather obvious. First, of course the military wants to save money on gas, just like you do. Second, while operating under electric power, vehicles have a tendency to be rather quiet, which works well when surprise is your ally. So, it should come as no surprise (ka-ching!) that when Ricardo decided to start an arm of their business catering to military customers, they did so by showing off a hybrid systems demonstrator vehicle. Ricardo is using individual hub-mounted motors along with an on-board generator capable of providing enough power to propel the vehicle and provide some for other electric devices. This could reduce the need for additional generators towed behind military rigs, another bonus. More details of the vehicle can be gleaned from their press release, conveniently posted after the break.

[Source: Ricardo]

The video above is an electric buggy made for the military. The military likes electric cars and it's not because they emit fewer green house gases. They are quiet, something Simpson's creator Matt Groening also enjoys. He likes to sneak up on people in parking lots with his Prius in EV mode, then honk his horn. The military likes to do that too ... just not the horn part. They replace the horn with something else.

We recently wrote about the first hybrid tank. The military has also asked for green power in the field. They are also the largest buyer of green power. They are even developing bio-fuel jet fuel. At that rate, it's very possible the next iconic electric vehicle may be from the military. The US military is not known for downsizing, so I would not expect such a vehicle to die like the EV1 either. Soon, when people think EV, they may think military.

[Source: Wired and tipster Domenick]

Oh, yeah! Now, that's a hybrid. BAE Systems demoed the first hybrid drive for a ground combat vehicle. It's a part of the Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS). The army is also developing a hybrid Hummer. They are even going to Detroit looking for batteries. You might think: the Army, embracing this hippie crap? Don't be surprised.

Fuel efficiency means fewer supply lines. Fewer supply lines mean fewer troops in danger. The Army wants green power too. It's about saving lives. Well, our troop's lives. The Army is not the Red Cross. The army's hybrids are not going to do the environment much good either.

Pictured is the first vehicle it will be used which should begin production in 2008. Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C), the lead FCS ground combat vehicle with a fully automated, 155mm self-propelled howitzer. That thing does not plant trees! YEEHAW!

[Source: Green Car Congress]

Besides being the ultimate Scrabble word, especially when played on a triple word score, Qinetiq has been featured on our blog many times. Often, Qinetiq is tied in with military operations, such as tanks. Their work is predominately with hybrid propulsion. Similarly, Nexxtdrive would also be a bit of a Scrabble coup, considering the length of the name and the "Dos Equis"; and has also been featured on our site. They work with transmitting power from one place to another, as in transmissions. Seems like a match made in heaven, no? The answer is yes, apparently, as the two companies have decided to join forces and collaborate on technologies for military applications.

Sebastian has recently brought up the idea of silent military vehicles. Sounds about right, or... doesn't sound like anything, I guess. Partnerships like this one might just make that idea a reality.

[Source: Gizmag]

Five demonstration military concept vehicles were on hand at the Strategic Deployment Center at Fort Lewis last week to help the Army choose its next generation of tactical vehicles. Built by three different manufacturers, the three utility vehicles and two maneuver sustainment vehicles all featured diesel-electric hybrid engines and power-take-off. One of the maneuver sustainment vehicles built by Armor Holdings had the capability to produce 30 kilowatts of exportable power.

Col. John S. Myers, the Army's project manager for Future Tactical Systems was quoted as saying, "About every 25 years, the services have modernized their tactical vehicles. Right now, the concentration is on replacing the Humvee."

Analysis: While none of these vehicles ever be mass-produced because they were just built to demonstrate advanced concept technologies, it's good to see hybrid powertrains showing up in these vehicles. Eventually technology developed for the military will trickle down from these army trucks to consumer vehicles, benefiting us all.

Related:

• Firefly Energy gets $5 million from U.S. Army for advanced battery tech
• U.S. Army looks to Quantum for mobile hydrogen refuelling
• Hydrogen batteries turn U.S. soldiers into Energizer bunnies

[Source: Bob Reinert / Army]

We've mentioned fuel cell manufacturer Quantum a few times recently in conjunction with their hydrogen storage systems being selected by General Motors for the fleet of fuel cell powered Equinoxes GM are building, plus via their supply of hydrogen fuel systems and storage to Ford for its Escape Hydrogen Hybrid.

Working with the major auto makers to test cutting edge fuel cell technology in the real world isn't the extent of Quantum's operations however. Another important aspect of their business is in military vehicles where they have just been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to expand its hydrogen vehicle and infrastructure programmes. The army's Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Centre (Tardec), issued the contract to expand Quantum's existing Mobile Hydrogen Infrastructure programme. Key to this new contract will be development of Quantum's own transportable HyHauler Plus hydrogen refueling stations to military specifications which will allow the military to further integrate hydrogen fuel cell technology into its array of vehicles and operations.

Analysis: Again, the U.S. military is proving itself to have both the budget and the will to pursue next-generation transportation technologies which will eventually filter down to commercial and consumer vehicles. It's great to see military money put towards hydrogen fuel cells.

Related:

• Ford E450 Shuttle buses powered by Quantum hydrogen injectors
• Team Fate beefing up a GM Equinox with li-ions for Challenge X
• GM selects Quantum Fuel Systems to produce H2 storage for Equinox Fuel-Cell Fleet

[Source: Fuel Cell Today]

Hydrogen batteries are a combination of a hydrogen fuel cell power module and an energy module to supply and store the hydrogen. Hydrogen batteries can be fueled up with extra hydrogen at any time to increase their range and have a higher energy density than traditional batteries. Hydrogen fuel cell systems producer Protonex utilises hydrogen batteries to provide high-performance, low-cost fuel cells for portable and remote applications requiring 10 to 500 watts of power.

Modern soldiers use a variety of electric powered devices and rely on batteries to run them. Protonex's ProPack C50, is a 50-watt power system designed for soldiers to use in the field as an alternative to lithium batteries. This system has a range of military applications such as wearable soldier power for radios, laser target designators, GPS and Toughbooks, and is currently available to select U.S. military customers for evaluation. The system features a replaceable sodium borohydride fuel cartridge which generates hydrogen as it is needed by the fuel cell system and lasts for 24 hours at an average of 30 watts.

Analysis: Hydrogen's high energy density makes it a perfect power source for just about any mobile application if you can overcome the storage and cost issues associated with it. The military definitely has the money, and it looks like Protonex has the technology. Now the U.S. ground troops will be able recharge their iPods on the go.

Related:

• Bush thinks Defense Department is 1,259 times more important than greener cars
• Army and Marines testing eight-wheel heavy weight hybrid
• Using micro algae for jet fuel

[Source: Protonex]

Ethanol and biodiesel both have great characteristics for vehicle transport, but what do you use if you want a renewable jet fuel? Biodiesel does not have the extremely low temperature performance for high altitude flight and ethanol is not dense enough and contains only around half the energy content of jet fuel per gallon.

The solution may come from a technology already being used in petroleum refineries - hydroprocessing, combined with microscopic algae. Hydroprocessing allows refineries to catalytically remove impurities or reduce molecular weight and can manipulate algal oils to achieve kerosene-like fuel characteristics. Enhanced Biofuels & Technologies (EBT) is hoping to extend its microalgal oil research via oil refinery partnerships. If they can achieve military jet fuel performance from algal-based biofuels, EBT may be able to produce bio J-8 at geographically distributed refineries reducing the logistics requirements of shuttling fuel around the world.

Moving forward, EBT's top research priorities include:

• Increase lipid yields through strain selection, screening, and genetic engineering technology,
• Genetically manipulating microalgae's normal growth and lipid production rates to keep both high
• Optimising lipids production with the view to producing jet fuel
• Working with oil refiners to tailor hydroprocessing to use for converting microalgal oil to jet and multi-purpose military fuels

Related:

• Big dollars for renewable military jet fuel research
• Solix and Colorado State University team to commercialize algae to biodiesel process
• Biodiesel jet fuels coming our way since at least 2001
  

[Source: Earthtoys via Oilgae]

Oshkosh is using motors with die-cast copper rotors in its ProPulse series hybrid drive system, which is used in the Army's heavy cargo-hauling HEMTT (Heavy Expandable Mobility Technical Truck). Motors using this technology cost less to manufacture, last longer, operate more efficiently, and save weight compared to alternatives used in defence systems as they're between five to ten percent lighter and three to seven percent smaller. The rotors were developed by the Copper Development Association (CDA) as part of their Copper-Based Casting Technology (C-BCT) program.

Substituting copper for aluminium in the rotor conductor bars will generally increase motor efficiency due to copper's better electrical conductivity, but redesigning the motor around copper's strengths provides an opportunity to achieve even greater improvements. The result: an induction motor with the highest power density possible today.

Four 140hp / 104kW electric motors power the HEMTT-A3 severe-duty trucks, which utilises a 400hp / 298kW diesel engine to provide electricity to the 480V motors.


Related:

• U.S. Army considering hybrid trucks
• Garbage trucks get hybrid power

[Source: Green Car Congress]