GM Defense begins vehicle integration testing for exportable power prototype

GM Defense displays a mission power system on the back of an infantry squad vehicle. It can power one of Hoverfly's unmanned aerial vehicles, pictured on the back of the vehicle. (Janes/Meredith Roaten)

GM Defense has begun vehicle integration testing for its contract with the Defense Innovation Unit's (DIU's) mission power system and is looking at how it can expand its electric and hybrid-electric options for expeditionary military power, an executive told Janes at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2023 annual conference.

GM Defense can power a Hoverfly tethered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for up to 25 consecutive hours, Douglas Oi, GM Defense's electrification strategy and requirements architect, said on 9 October at AUSA. GM Defense's booth displayed the UAV integrated with a logistics infantry squad vehicle (ISV).

Mission Power System – GM Defense's offering for the US DIU's Jumpstart for Advanced Battery Standardization (JABS) – is based on GM's Ultium platform, which uses electric battery technology. The contract was awarded in 2022 and has expanded to include the work on integrating the four-seat Multi-Mission and Logistics variant.

The battery can power other weapon systems on the ISV, Oi said. “It's really flexible. The idea is to be able to export that power in a flexible way – that's huge,” Oi told Janes .

Oi said the battery has been tested and verified with the DIU, and integration testing with the ISV had only recently begun. Vehicle integration testing is expected to be completed in 2024, he said.

While the ISV is