QinetiQ to develop electric hub-drive

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded a contract to QinetiQ to develop an electric hub-drive, the company announced on 8 September. The contract is valued at $1.5 million and has an option for $2.7 million.

The electric hub-drive aims to enhance the survivability and mobility of future military ground vehicles under DARPA’s Ground X-Vehicle Technologies (GXV-T) programme.

QinetiQ’s hub-drive aims to enhance mobility by improving torque, power, efficiency and integral braking in a unit that can be contained within a 20-inch wheel rim. It also removes the drive shaft and gearbox which can become lethal to occupants in the event of an IED detonation beneath the vehicle; while also reducing weight and opening up future design possibilities.

David Moore, director of research services, QinetiQ, said: 'Like cavalry horses throughout history, vehicles risk becoming less mobile as they are loaded with more armour and weaponry to meet the evolving demands of warfare.

'Our hub-drive tackles that threat by combining optimum performance with a significant weight saving, which is critical for mobility. It also introduces a far greater degree of architectural flexibility, enabling vehicles to be configured in ways which offer greater protection to their occupants.'