ST Engineering pushes forward on its hybrid-powered propulsion systems
At Eurosatory 2024 ST Engineering, the Singaporean defence industry champion, showcased a model of its hybrid-powered NGLSV 4×4 armoured vehicle, adding numerous details on the solutions adopted, while unveiling new developments
Over two years ago, at the Singapore Airshow, ST Engineering unveiled its Next Generation Light Strike Vehicle (NGLSV) powered by a hybrid system based on a 296 hp Cummins diesel engine coupled to a generator, used to charge batteries that provide power to a 100 kW electric motor. It also provided details of its Next Generation Protected Vehicle (NGPV), which is proposed with a conventional or with a hybrid powerpack.
In Paris ST Engineering showcased the NGPV model in the hybrid version and provided more information on the latter. The diesel engine remains the same Cummins 296 hp of the NGLSV but here the powerpack includes with two electric motors that operate as a single motor, their combined 450 kW output power going on a single gear. According to ST Engineering representatives, this solution was adopted as the two motors are smaller and it is easier to fit them into the vehicle.
The powerpack is fitted at the front; the forward element is the cooling system (painted grey in the model), which has two radiators as it must cool not only the diesel engine but also the two battery packs, which are located at the back, on the sides of the vehicle (painted green). The hybrid ensemble follows, painted blue, while in red we find the auxiliary drive system that drives the engine fan, the hydraulic rear ramp, and the air conditioning system. The NGPV has a 15 km silent drive range, or remain on silent watch for 24 hours, or provide up to 16 kW export power.
The NGPV is a 20 tonnes GVW 4×4 armoured vehicle with a 15 tonnes curb weight, hence a 5 tonnes payload. It can carry a two-man crew and 10 passengers in the rear compartment, to which they access via the rear ramp. It is 7.3 metres long, 2.6 metres wide and 2.7 metres high, it can travel at a maximum speed of 100 km/h, overcome a 60% gradient, move on a 30% side slope, climb a 400 mm high vertical step, and ford a water obstacle up to 900 mm deep. The NGPV with the hybrid configuration is currently undergoing testing, the Singapore MoD being very interested in hybrid propulsion.
Looking forward, ST Engineering is developing a wholly different hybrid solution, based on electric differentials, each axle including an electric motor, an inverter, and a 3-speed gearbox. While the current motors operate at 400 V, thee-differentials operate at 800 V, which ensures higher performances.
This solution is currently being applied to an 8×8 armoured vehicle, the diesel engine with generator installed to reload batteries providing 600 hp. Each axle will provide 230 kW, which means that the vehicle will have a lot of excess power and will be able to operate even if two e-axles will fail. The vehicle is wholly new, the driver and commander at the front driving and observing the surroundings through a camera-based system with extremely low latency.
ST Engineering plans starting tests with the new 8×8 hybrid armoured personnel carrier in Q1 2025.
Photos by P. Valpolini
