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.
