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 way in which automobiles 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 expertise 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 army started experimenting with diesel electrical “hybrid” tanks, nonetheless — with the Bradley BHEV prototype breaking cowl (publicly, at the 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 decreased upkeep in comparison with its diesel counterparts, resulting from a discount within the variety of transferring components and the decreased 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 might 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 gear and heat-seeking weaponry.
“In step with 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 based on the analysis roadmap.”
Which — look, calling hydrogen a “inexperienced” gasoline is controversial, at greatest. It’s actually not possible 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 responsibility heavy gear that may sink into mud or grime as a result of weight of its batteries or, frankly, army operations the place value and emissions are much less of a priority than the power to successfully assist kill individuals earlier than they kill you (no must sugarcoat it). In that context, hydrogen may make sense.
Hyundai actually thinks so, and the idea proven right here enhances the capabilities of the corporate’s present K2 predominant 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 cut back the menace to human belongings, distant drone operation for reconnaissance and help operations, and a 130 millimeter easy bore gun.
Hyundai plans to start manufacturing of the same machine within the subsequent decade, with the aim of ultimately reaching a completely electrified tank platform by 2040.
Electrek’s Take
Pak Jae-yeol, commander of the seventh Corps, instructed The Korea Financial Each day that, “if tactical gear akin to tanks and helicopters transfer with out noise and fumes, the military’s energy will turn out to be stronger.”
It’s onerous to argue with that. What I can argue with, nonetheless, is Hydrogen Perception’s assertion that, “Battery-electric army automobiles will not be thought of a sensible possibility as a result of armed forces can’t depend on entry to an electrical energy grid in wartime.”
It’s onerous to think about a dumber resolution to gasoline insecurity than hydrogen — a gasoline that’s notoriously tough 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 smart, so head on all the way down to the feedback and inform me how it’s.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Hyundai Rotem, by way of The Korea Herald; Gas Cell Works, Hydrogen Perception.
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