Last week, the US Army unveiled the Fuel Efficient ground vehicle Demonstrator (Bravo version) or FED Bravo.
The Army collaborated with 18 students at the College for Creative Studies, or CCS, in Detroit to design the concept vehicle to meet specific Army requirements for fuel economy, performance, protection, payload and interior layout.
FED Bravo sports a Ford 4.4-liter twin turbocharged V8 diesel engine capable of producing 268 hp. Other features include:
• Road-coupled parallel hybrid drive system. The front axle is powered by an electric motor, while the rear-wheel drive is linked to a hybrid fuel-powered and electric system.
• Integrated starter-generator that shuts off the engine during idle time and restarts it when the driver presses the accelerator which improves fuel economy and reduces emissions.
• Six-speed auto transmission coupled with an advanced lithium-ion battery with high energy and power density.
• The full-power hydraulic brake system with antilock brakes is combined with the vehicle’s steering system to supply the hydraulic pressure demands for the steering, eliminating a second pump and improving efficiency.
• Carbon ceramic brake rotors with advanced coating for durability, plus low-drag aluminum brake calipers.
• Tubular space from chassis for better rigidity-to-weight ratio combined with armored cab and V-shaped hull for protection from blasts.
Interesting concept – but what’s with the “Flintstones” camo scheme?
not bad but what do ya do when the hydraulis fail, and trying to do a water crossing.
in other words just get a land rover, or a merc g class. why are the americans foccused on shit. just look at australia and germany
A land Rover/ really? They don’t ever break down do they patman?!?!
And why are Americans focused on shit?
Because as usual – you’re gonna need US to bail your ass out of something, somewhere down the road – that’s why!
Wonder what the weight is on that thing. V-Shaped hulls aren’t exactly light. I’d like to see it in action too.
So what’s the fuel economy on her?
Too bad it’s built in “Dee-Troyt” which means it will fall apart after 50,000 miles or within 3 years of use.
It’s a nice design, sure, but what will all those fancy parts cost in terms of line production?
There are ways to pinch pennies. I dont see why they cant refit/rebuild Humvees for a more up to date, practical, real-world version.
more electronics=more problems. and thats a fact. analog everything for me.
I wonder how thick the skin is on it. More to the point, I’m wondering if they had to get rid of all the mil-spec weighted body and glass in order to make it green.
Instead of the name Demonstrator, it should be called the Menstruater because of what this vehicle is. I’ll take the tough Army vehicles any day.
I don’t know what I think of batteries fire and explosions mix
I hope this thing never sees a combat zone with an IED threat. I’ve seen a maxxpro with a spark kit blown thirty feet in the air and doing a front flip. This FEGV is cute at best.
I think this is a great start towards a very good goal. I realize that this is a test bed, but I would really like to see the military develop a true modular vehicle that all branches of service can use. Kind of like the Humvee, but modernized and totally modular.
One issue though; a gas engine? Really, gas? I’d be way more worried about a 50 gallon tank of gas exploding than a lithium-ion battery pack exploding. BTW, I don’t think lithium-ion batteries vent any gases, you’re thinking lead-acid batteries and all current tactical vehicles have at least two (many have way more than two) on board.
Would also like to see the spec’s on it; fording ability, payload, grade climbing, etc.
No, that’d be a diesel engine. Not gasoline. And lithium-ion batteries can vent gases like a sumbitch. They’re WELL known for being a fire hazard, especially when damaged. Hell, the right kind of circumstance and a Li-Ion battery will not just burn, it will explode.