 | Home > Off Topic > British military tests out eco-friendly vehicles |
 
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| Supacat Member Since: 16 Oct 2012 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 11018   
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 Click image to enlarge https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/british...-hxpxkl0lq "Hybrid electric technology is being tested in British military armoured vehicles to make them stealthier on the battlefield and more environmentally friendly. The Foxhound, a wheeled patrol vehicle that carries personnel, and the Jackal 2, a high-mobility reconnaissance vehicle that also transports troops, are being tested with the new systems. Prototype hybrid models based on each fleet, funded by a £3 million investment from the Ministry of Defence, are to be demonstrated at a military exhibition in November. The aim is for the two upgraded army vehicles to have better mobility and reduce engine noise to boost their stealth capability. General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, head of the army, served notice last September that the service would undergo a green revolution. He said the tanks and vehicles used now would be the last to run on fossil fuels, as he advocated more clean technology, including solar power. Boosting the army’s green credentials is key to attracting Generation Z recruits, who care about employers’ attitudes towards climate change, he added. The proposal to upgrade the Foxhound and Jackal 2 comes after the armed forces introduced the high-altitude Zephyr drone, powered by solar energy. Soldiers increasingly use solar-powered batteries on operations. Lieutenant-General Richard Nugee, who is leading a climate change and sustainability review at the MoD, said: “It is great to see the army testing electric vehicles that will benefit not only our world-class personnel but also our planet.” His review is focused on helping the MoD to reduce emissions so the government can fulfil its pledge to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The hybrid vehicles will be developed by the British companies NP Aerospace, Supacat and Magtec. General Dynamics UK will collaborate on the initiative. The army has a fleet of 2,200 armoured vehicles." |
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20th Aug 2020 6:19am |
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what's next friendly bombs and bullets?
| Slideywindows Member Since: 09 Sep 2016 Location: North Essex Posts: 1283 
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Peacetime logic.
We'll be busy re-charging our vehicles while the Ruskies drive over us in their smokey polluting diesels. But at least we'll have lost the war in an environmentally friendly way. |
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20th Aug 2020 10:29am |
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| AMBxx Member Since: 24 Jul 2016 Location: York Posts: 1032 
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The theory behind using electric for less noise is sound. I think they've dressed it up as happy clappy eco friendly to keep the greenies happy.
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20th Aug 2020 10:59am |
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| 90 Dreamer Member Since: 13 Jul 2019 Location: Oop North Posts: 2161 
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great idea until you need to charge them in the middle of the battlefield??
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20th Aug 2020 11:38am |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8043  
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how about fixing them? from what i hear uptake of EV courses for wksp personnel is very low as it is. something about dying of electric shocks.... Cheers
James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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20th Aug 2020 12:08pm |
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| markb110 Member Since: 22 May 2010 Location: Guildford Posts: 2641 
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The US Army ditch all the emissions gear .
Guess you want to be prepared to do the job or hindered so not to hurt the feelings of some sad case in a tie died tee shirt. Will the Russians, Chinese, Taliban do the same to score Eco points on the battle ground, or just look to win. |
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20th Aug 2020 12:15pm |
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| markb110 Member Since: 22 May 2010 Location: Guildford Posts: 2641
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And wouldn't an Electro Magnetic bomb thingy render all electronic devices and vehicles with an ECU useless.
Is this another case of smart people trying to out do each other instead of using KISS as a starting point. |
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20th Aug 2020 12:20pm |
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| Zed Member Since: 07 Oct 2017 Location: In the woods Posts: 3299 
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Seems like an excellent use of a hybrid to me. Silent running when stealth is necessary and a traditional engine the rest of the time. WARNING.
This post may contain sarcasm. |
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20th Aug 2020 1:43pm |
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| Roger Member Since: 26 Apr 2018 Location: Hampshire Posts: 71 
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Absolutely no green credentials at all there - where on the battlefield do you plug in to charge up???
You don't! - The batteries will be charged while the dirty diesel engine is running. Good for static running and tactical moves with a lower signature but absolutely tosh for being green. The need to operate worldwide on poor quality diesel or aviation fuel means that the majority of engines in military vehicles are Euro 3 at best. Silent running and powering ancillaries like radios without the engine on, yes, green credentials; that journo is having your pants down!  |
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20th Aug 2020 5:00pm |
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| markb110 Member Since: 22 May 2010 Location: Guildford Posts: 2641
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What would happen to the battery packs once the vehicle has gone over an IED. A bit of an issue of recent campaigns.
There has already been cases where the fire brigade could not put out an EV fire. Would you want to be trapped upside down in a burning vehicle and your mates cannot put out the fire with a standard extinguisher Cant see the Taliban ripping out their Toyota engines any time soon... |
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20th Aug 2020 8:21pm |
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| Supacat Member Since: 16 Oct 2012 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 11018
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I hope new Defender owners take note, the negativity is a general thing, and not just directed towards their vehicle.
Can't wait for the Royal Navy to get hold of this tech: Click image to enlarge "a system based on parafoil technology that tows commercial ships, and can cut more than 20% of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, according to its developer. The kite is a large piece of folded tissue that is lifted at the top of the 35-meter high mast mounted on the bow of the vessel. The system is linked to the winch on the deck with a long cable, which contains special technology in itself. As explained by Airseas, a simple switch launches or recovers the kite which unfolds, operates and refolds autonomously. The system collects and analyses meteorological and oceanic data in real-time, then adapts its flight to this information in order to optimize its performance as well as to ensure maximum safety." https://www.offshore-energy.biz/seawing-ki...y-classnk/ |
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21st Aug 2020 5:32am |
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| Chopperone Member Since: 13 Nov 2016 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 396
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Just everyone with a bicycle
Problem solved Guy May your life be like toilet paper ; long & useful. |
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21st Aug 2020 6:29am |
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| Supacat Member Since: 16 Oct 2012 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 11018
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Like this?
Click image to enlarge |
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21st Aug 2020 6:42am |
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| Tim in Scotland Member Since: 23 May 2007 Location: The Land that time forgot Posts: 3753
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Sailing ships.......... it was tried in various forms in the 1970’s/80’s fuel crisis, the kite foils mostly ended up in tatters and the rigid wing sails actually increased fuel consumption when they couldn’t be used - there was a successful application to a small coaster from a company called Walker Wingsail here in the U.K. it was fitted to a ship called Ashington but removed after about 10 years.
the rigid wings were found to be more useful for manoeuvring without tugs than for saving fuel on passage because on passage the wing had to be huge to have any benefit. There was an attempt either to sail one around the world or across the Atlantic at one stage http://www.solarnavigator.net/wing_sails.htm All aero assistance wings and foils kind of died a quiet death in the 1990’s but has recently been mentioned in the maritime press as being the next greatest thing since sliced bread - folks have short memories! It is doubtful now that there enough people in ship’s crews to handle these devices and anyway the new thing is autonomous ships which is getting more attention and is well advanced. Of course there were sailing ships long before motor ships and then there were no requirements to employ engineers......... Regarding electric powered vehicles - one reason given for the MOD stopping buying Defenders was that so many electronics in the TD5 and Puma engines couldn’t be made safe against an EMP - electro-magnetic pulse that comes as part of an atomic bomb being dropped IIRC. Pangea Green D250 90 HSE with Air Suspension, Off-road Pack, Towing Pack, Black Contrast roof , rear recovery eyes, Front bash plate, Classic flaps all round, extended wheel arch kit and a few bits from PowerfulUK Expel Clear Gloss PPF to come 2020 D240 1st Edition in Pangea Green with Acorn interior. Now gone - old faithful, no mechanical issues whatsoever ever but the leaks and rattles all over the place won’t be missed! |
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21st Aug 2020 7:44am |
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