When Rivian posted its now legendary “tank flip” video again in 2019, it pressured lots of people to comprehend that electrical drive might open up new potentialities for the best way vehicles transfer. Now, Hyundai Rotem is promising to construct a silent, electric-drive battle tank that may pull off the identical trick — and an entire lot extra.
Diesel-electric drive know-how isn’t new. It’s been powering trains, cranes, and different massive machines for many years. It’s solely comparatively just lately that the US navy started experimenting with diesel electrical “hybrid” tanks, nonetheless — with the Bradley BHEV prototype breaking cowl (publicly, at the very least) for the primary time in 2022. The US Military reported that the hybrid electrical drive configuration allowed for a 20% enchancment in gasoline financial system, elevated working vary, and improved efficiency. On the identical time, the Military speculated that the Bradley BHEV would require diminished upkeep in comparison with its diesel counterparts, as a result of a discount within the variety of shifting components and the diminished load(s) on the diesel generator.
Hyundai Rotem’s newest idea takes that concept a step additional by eradicating the diesel generator altogether and changing it with hydrogen gasoline cells that may not solely ship energy to electrical motors driving the tank’s treads, however accomplish that silently.
What’s extra, as a result of a gasoline cell and battery pack-equipped tank can function with out giving off a diesel exhaust’s warmth signature, it successfully masks the tank from thermal imaginative and prescient tools and heat-seeking weaponry.
“According to the ESG [environmental, social, governance] development, we’re creating tanks powered by hydrogen gasoline cells, an eco-friendly power supply,” a Hyundai Rotem official mentioned. “In collaboration with the [Korean government’s] Company for Protection Improvement and others, with the event anticipated to be accomplished round 2040 in response to the analysis roadmap.”
Which — look, calling hydrogen a “inexperienced” gasoline is controversial, at finest. It’s definitely unattainable for hydrogen to compete with battery electrical for transportation, however there could also be a case for its use in extraordinarily energy-dense conditions like extreme obligation heavy tools which may sink into mud or grime as a result of weight of its batteries or, frankly, navy operations the place price and emissions are much less of a priority than the flexibility to successfully assist kill folks earlier than they kill you (no have to sugarcoat it). In that context, hydrogen would possibly make sense.
Hyundai definitely thinks so, and the idea proven right here enhances the capabilities of the corporate’s current K2 major battle tank with higher acceleration, quieter operation, and radar absorbing supplies that, mixed with the automobile’s low warmth signature, make it a really formidable machine.
The tank additionally options, autonomous driving to scale back the risk to human property, distant drone operation for reconnaissance and help operations, and a 130 millimeter clean bore gun.
Hyundai plans to start manufacturing of an analogous machine within the subsequent decade, with the aim of ultimately attaining a completely electrified tank platform by 2040.
Electrek’s Take
Pak Jae-yeol, commander of the seventh Corps, advised The Korea Financial Every day that, “if tactical tools reminiscent of tanks and helicopters transfer with out noise and fumes, the military’s energy will develop into stronger.”
It’s exhausting to argue with that. What I can argue with, nonetheless, is Hydrogen Perception’s assertion that, “Battery-electric navy autos aren’t thought-about a sensible choice as a result of armed forces can not depend on entry to an electrical energy grid in wartime.”
It’s exhausting to consider a dumber resolution to gasoline insecurity than hydrogen — a gasoline that’s notoriously troublesome to refine, retailer, and transport (safely or in any other case). Particularly when off-grid photo voltaic and wood-burning options for producing warmth and electrical energy are actively being developed by different revered protection contractors like Rolls-Royce and Volvo.
However nobody requested me, proper? The excellent news is that I’m asking you whether or not or not any of that is sensible, so head on right down to the feedback and inform me how it’s.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Hyundai Rotem, by way of The Korea Herald; Gasoline Cell Works, Hydrogen Perception.
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