Babcock and engine developer Cosworth have signed an agreement to jointly explore hybrid propulsion applications for land-based tactical vehicles.
The partnership aims to deliver advanced systems to convert fuel into electricity for such platforms.
Under the project, Cosworth’s Catalytic Generator (Cat Gen) will be combined with a 70 Series Toyota Land Cruiser station wagon, the basis of several Babcock General Logistics Vehicles.
The team will then test the resulting integration in military environments.
Data from future validations will be used to further develop capabilities to provide land vehicles with greater range and silent operability compared to existing hybrid propulsion.
“We’ve already had great success working with the British Army to convert Land Rovers into Electric Vehicle prototypes,” Babcock Engineering & Systems Integration Managing Director Chris Spicer stated.
“This new partnership with Cosworth will support Babcock’s development of the next generation of military hybrid vehicles.”
“This is exciting news for the British Army who are already showing tremendous leadership in this field.”
Cosworth’s Catalyst Generator
Cat Gen can produce 35 kilowatts of electricity from various liquid and gaseous fuels to generate power for vehicular systems.
The lightweight propulsion has only one moving part to support minimal maintenance requirements.
Alongside traditional diesel fuels, Cat Gen can also leverage zero-emissions hydrogen.
“This exciting program showcases our alternative propulsion solution the ‘Cat Gen’ and reinforces the brand’s commitment to supply a broad range of propulsion solutions across the Automotive, Motorsport, Marine, Aerospace and Defence sectors,” Cosworth CEO Hal Reisiger said.
“Babcock are an important development partner for Cosworth, and we look forward to continuing our development partnership.”