Eurosatory 2024 – Ermine, a new mobility for airmobile and light troops from Rheinmetall
At Eurosatory Rheinmetall unveiled its Ermine hybrid powered vehicle, which is designed to cope with the requirements of airmobile and light troops
The Ermine history starts in the Netherlands, when the Dutch Ministry of Defence launches a study for assessing the electrification contribution to the military. A national startup, REEQ (Range Extended Electrical Quad), answered the call, developing an electric quad bike. However, tests highlighted that while the potential of electric power was huge, the vehicle being silent, with low thermal signature, thanks also to the lack of exhaust, the torque was immediately available, and speed was very controllable, the platform dimensions were not sufficient to answer Dutch requirements. The company therefore started developing its own platform, which is a modular vehicle that can alternatively be fitted with two or three axles.
The key issue was mobility; various solutions were considered for generating the movement, the centralised transmission being the one retained, with one motor and differential per axle. In-wheel motors were considered too risky due to the limited choices available on the market, while direct drive was discarded on signature and cost issues.
The solution adopted maintains a considerable empty volume between the axles, where batteries can be fitted as well as the generator pack. Each axle is fitted with one such motors and a differential, axles being fitted onto a backbone chassis, all axles being identical, the vehicle being equipped with double wishbone independent suspensions. The first and last axles are steerable in the 6×6 version, the same being true for two axles vehicles. From the baseline vehicle three variants are being proposed, many elements remaining the same.
The baseline vehicle is the quad, a 4×4 with a dry mass of 875 kg and a 500 kg payload. The power train is based on a 30 kW motor per axle, a single 16 kWh lithium ferrophosphate (LFP) battery ensuring power. This is recharged by a diesel engine using F34 fuel, contained in a 70 litres tank. Compared to the 100 km range of the electric-only vehicle that was issued from the first study, the Ermine Quad can travel 1,000 km thanks to the range extender. Maximum speed on road is 90 km/h, the extremely low centre of gravity allowing to travel on 70% side slopes, while the Ermine can climb a 90% gradient and ford a watercourse 500 mm deep. It can also tow a trailer with a mass exceeding 750 kg. As for airmobility, four Ermine can be transported by a CH-47 Chinook, the transport helicopter in service with the Dutch 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade and with many other units in European armies and not only. They can be transported internally as well as under slung, depending on the tactical situation.
The Ermine Quad vehicle is 2,550 mm long, 1,550 mm wide and 1,500 mm high, considering the folding roll bar that protects the crew, should the vehicle roll over. All data mentioned until now remain the same also for the UGV, the uncrewed version which only difference is in height, 1,100 mm, as no crew members need to be protected therefore no rollbar is installed. The vehicle was designed to be capable to be fitted with an autonomy suite, a solution that has not yet been developed according to information obtained at Eurosatory.
The 6×6 Ermine Buggy takes most elements from the baseline vehicle. It is obviously longer, 3,250 mm overall, as it must accommodate the third axle. It is also wider, 1,700 mm, and higher, 1,820 mm. Dry mass is obviously also higher, 1,100 kg, payload remaining 500 kg, however the longer and wider flatbed allows greater flexibility in terms of types of payloads. While the electric power motor remains the same on each axle, the Buggy is fitted either with two batteries of the same type mentioned for the Quad, or with one battery with double capacity. The diesel extender remains the same, however its fuel tank is bigger 100 to 160 litres, which allows a maximum range of 1,200 km.
In mid March 2024 Rheinmetall acquired REEQ, the Ermine becoming therefore part of the portfolio of the Düsseldorf-based group, which R&D and production capabilities boosted the development. Prototypes have already been delivered to the Dutch Army, EDR On-Line understanding that one of the vehicles on exhibition was due to be delivered at the end of the event. Tests are ongoing in the Netherlands on the 4×4 and the 6×6 variants, while the vehicle is being engineered and facilities are being readied for full production.
Photos by P. Valpolini
