2.8-liter diesel engine with two electric motors for quiet operation when operation demands it
6 hours ago
- General Motors’ next-generation tactical truck combines diesel power with electric motors to provide hybrid capabilities for covert missions.
- The vehicle is equipped with a silent driving mode and electric range to ensure stealth in and out of hazardous areas.
- General Motors’ military Silverado is designed for a variety of missions, retaining key civilian safety features like stability control and ABS.
Beneath the bulky, armored exterior of General Motors Defense’s new “next generation” tactical vehicle prototype lurks something familiar but different: the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD ZR2. However, calling it another Silverado is like calling a tank a truck.
Like the road model, the military version is equipped with General Motors’ 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine. But unlike the ZR2 you buy from a dealer, this 2.8-liter engine comes with front and rear axle electric motors as well as a 12-module battery pack, meaning this rugged truck can run in all-electric mode.
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This is very convenient on the battlefield. GM notes that the Silent Drive and Silent Watch features allow for “covert entry and exit through high-threat areas,” and the battery system provides sufficient power for all sensor, shooter and soldier kit. While GM hasn’t revealed how far the vehicle can travel on a single charge, it promises “tactically significant range and extended mission duration.”
Two, four and six-seat versions will be produced, with each example being optimized for a variety of missions including command and control, countering unmanned aerial systems, casualty evacuation and other critical missions. The consumer-oriented Silverado retains many safety features, including rollover protection, antilock brakes, electronic stability control and a 360-degree camera.
“Our next-generation vehicle is a game-changing mobility solution that delivers tactically significant capabilities by integrating GM’s proven commercial technologies,” said Steve Dumont, president of GM Defense. “This rugged and capable diesel-powered vehicle offers tactical advantages such as silent operation, available power, and increased range for longer mission durations. Our warfighters deserve access to the latest technology that industry can offer in order to Gain and maintain a competitive advantage over your competitors with our next-generation mobility solutions that are customizable and ready to go.”
GM’s latest tactical innovations are currently on display at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., a premier showcase for future developments in military mobility.
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