Could the tank of the future run on electricity?

11/03/2022 10:21 GMT+7

Accordingly, switching to such a system could not only reduce the need for liquid fuel on the battlefield, but also avoid the risk to the lives of the long-distance soldiers fueling the front lines. .

Traditional armored vehicles, including tanks, use diesel or gasoline engines. Due to the need to drive the 60-ton vehicle over rough terrain, as well as to power powerful fire control systems, sensors and environmental systems, a powerful engine was required.

Tanks must also be able to accelerate quickly and in difficult situations must have extra power to pull other tanks. Ideally, an armored vehicle should have a greater power-to-weight ratio, which forces them to be equipped with engines capable of producing up to 1,500 hp.

Even the military is thinking about improving the environment. (Photo: AP)

These engines require huge amounts of fuel. An armored division of the US Army with all armored vehicles can consume up to 2 million liters of fuel per day. All of this fuel has to come from somewhere (usually from the US) and then be transported to refueling and refueling sites just behind the front lines. To complicate matters further, the M1A2 Abrams tank runs on gasoline, while the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, M109 Paladin howitzer and other vehicles run on diesel fuel.

What if we could replace both fuels with a third: electricity? The Driven, a popular Australian website about electric cars, is discussing the possibility of the Australian military switching to electric cars. The same principles apply to the US military, but 50 times more.

However, there are several reasons to switch to an electric powertrain. First, it will reduce the amount of fuel needed to travel, reducing the number of “vulnerable” convoys. Second, hybrid systems are easier to upgrade and replace than internal combustion engines and transmissions. Third, electric powertrains can be cheaper to operate and more environmentally friendly.

Using an electrical outlet will still require power, just a different kind. Diesel generators are an obvious choice, but the common thread is to steer clear of fossil fuels. Alternatives include battery packs, renewable energy including solar and even nuclear power plants on the battlefield.

Peace (translation summary)

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