General Motors subsidiary GM Defense announced plans to unveil a new "Next Gen" tactical vehicle prototype this week at AUSA 2024, the Association of the U.S. Army's annual meeting and expo.
Based on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD ZR2 truck, the truck combines GM's 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine with a 12-module battery pack. Drive motors for the front and rear axles enable "Silent Drive" and "Silent Watch" technologies, which provide low acoustic and thermal signatures that make the vehicle harder to detect.
According to the company, the technologies enable stealthy ingress and egress through high-threat zones, with onboard power to support high-energy-demand sensors, shooters, and a Soldier kit. The vehicles offer active and passive safety features, including roll-over protection, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, four- and five-point seat belt harnesses, and 360-degree camera capabilities.
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According to Steve DuMont, president of GM Defense, the prototype offers tactical advantages, such as silent operations, exportable power for charging mission systems, and increased range with extended mission duration.
The prototype is also designed to be autonomous-capable, with crewed and uncrewed options.
According to GM Defense, the concept can also reduce fuel demand and lower maintenance requirements due to reduced parts and subsystems in the propulsion system.
The Next Gen is available in two-, four-, and six-seat configurations. The vehicle will be optimized to support multi-mission capabilities, including command and control, launched effects, network extension, counter unmanned aerial systems anti-armor, casualty evacuation, and other critical missions.
At the show, GM Defense also plans to display a Stable Tactical Expeditionary Electric Power solution, which delivers tactical microgrid capabilities, and its Infantry Utility Vehicle, packaged with a Silent Tactical Energy Enhanced Dismount and Squad Maneuver Equipment Transport to represent an element of the U.S. Army's Human-Machine Integration – Formation initiative.
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