When electrification first hit the automotive market we reckoned that a pure-EV wouldn’t work for Australia’s remote-area travellers, but that hybrid vehicles would. The US military thinks the same way we do!

At the AUSA 2024, annual meeting and exposition of the Association of the US Army, GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors (GM), unveiled its new ‘Next Gen’ tactical vehicle prototype.

The vehicle was displayed at the Walter E Washington Convention Center, in Washington, DC. (Please pardon the American spelling of Defence and Centre.)

Based on the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD ZR2 ute, the Next Gen tactical vehicle combines GM’s 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine with a 12-module battery pack and has electric drive motors for the front and rear axles. This full-hybrid package is a similar concept to that employed in the BYD Shark.

The appeal to the military of hybrid-electric drive is the ability to operate the vehicle without any ‘heat’ signature that could be picked up by thermal imaging detectors. The Next Gen tactical vehicle also incorporates Silent Drive and Silent Watch technologies that make the vehicle harder to detect and on-board power is available to support high-energy-demand sensors, shooters and Soldier kit. 

The vehicle offers active and passive safety features, including roll-over protection, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, four- and five-point seat belt harnesses and 360-degree cameras.

“Our Next Gen vehicle is a game-changing mobility solution that delivers tactically significant capabilities by integrating GM’s proven commercial technologies,” said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. 

“This rugged and highly capable diesel-powered vehicle offers tactical advantages, such as Silent Operations, exportable power and increased range with extended mission duration.”

Being based on the heavy-duty Silverado 3500 platform the Next Gen tactical vehicle can also carry add-on armour, if required.

The 2.8-litre diesel can operate on JP8 fuel, which is a multi-use fuel for use in the US military’s aircraft and diesel engines. It’s essentially Jet A1 kerosene fuel, but with additives to make it suitable for use in diesel engines.

The Next Gen ute is offered in two-, four- and six-seat configurations and is optimised to support multi-mission capabilities, including command and control, launched effects, network extension, counter unmanned aerial systems anti-armour, casualty evacuation and other critical missions.

Another hybrid initiative by the US military is a 2025/26 trial of medium tactical truck (MTT) prototypes from Mack Trucks, which is part of the giant global Volvo Truck group. Specifications are closely guarded, but seem to include a 105kW five-cylinder Volvo diesel and a large battery pack.

“These prototypes represent the next generation of purpose-built, specialty vehicles for the Marine Corps,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. 

“By leveraging our commercial vehicle technology expertise and adapting it for military applications, we’re delivering a highly capable platform that can perform in the most challenging terrains, while incorporating advanced safety features and hybrid propulsion systems that meet the Marine Corps’ rigorous mission requirements.”

The 4WD hybrid revolution soldiers on.