DRS Technologies’ vehicle power system ready for testing

The US Army will conduct field testing of DRS Technologies’ On-Board Vehicle Power system, a high-powered DRS/Allison Transmission Integral Generator installed on combat vehicles. The tests will be part of the US Army’s Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) testing.

The On-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP) system generates power to operate a host of command, control, communications, computers and other sensors on battlefield vehicles by transforming the vehicle's powertrain into an electrical power plant and reducing the reliance on heavy generators to power numerous electrical systems.  

During NIE, the OBVP will be employed and evaluated on two separate, DRS-sponsored concept vehicles, the Mobile Integrated Command Post (MICP) vehicle and the Mission Command On The Move (MCOTM) vehicle - both repurposed Navistar MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Proof (MRAP) vehicles.

Mike Sarrica, president, DRS Network and Imaging Systems group, said: ‘All fielded C4ISR equipment needs power, from soldier radios to brigade servers.  The constant access to power is vital to maintain connectivity. The DRS and Allison OBVP offering demonstrates multiple proven technologies that deliver improved capabilities to meet the requirements of army network and mission command modernisation efforts.

‘Today's network and mission command systems require access to reliable, efficient and mobile power solutions. Towed generators limit cross-country mobility, take up valuable space when deploying, and add to the logistics sustainment burden of our forces.’

The OBVP system has been developed to reduce logistical footprints, increase battlefield mobility and enhance expeditionary mission capability for deployment.  According to DRS, the technology works with combat vehicle platforms such as Stryker, MRAP, and the family of medium tactical vehicles that use the Allison 3000 series transmission.  The technology does not alter the vehicle's drive line and reduces the logistical burden that is typically associated with generator systems. The OBVP system operation does not require a new military operational specialty; it is simply operated by the vehicle driver.