Hybrid-electric propulsion technology has been one of the highlights of the Singapore Airshow 2022, which will be held at the Changi Exhibition Centre from February 15 to 18.
In the air arena, Israeli companies Elbit Systems and Steadicopter are showcasing their new fixed-wing and rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) powered by a hybrid electric propulsion system.
Elbit Systems’ Skylark 3 Hybrid Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (STUAS) debuts with three times the endurance of the Skylark series’ conventionally powered models, up to 18 hours of flight time and a range of 120 km, while maintaining the same compact size and weight, The company says the move has significantly improved mission efficiency and cost efficiency.
With a wingspan of 4.7 meters and a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 50 kilograms, the Skylark 3 Hybrid will use its internal combustion engine to quickly transition to operating areas at altitudes of up to 12,000 feet, where the electric motor that previously started it lingered, Elbit Systems said. Either way of propulsion can be used as a backup for reliability and safety.
Meanwhile, Steadicopter showcased its hybrid Black Eagle 50H vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone, which combines the capabilities of its gasoline Black Eagle 50 and electric Black Eagle 50E platforms.
The baseline Blackhawk 50 has an MTOW of 35kg and can operate for up to 4 hours while carrying a 5kg payload, while the Blackhawk 50E can carry a 15kg payload, albeit with a reduced flight endurance of up to 2 hours. In contrast, the hybrid Black Eagle 50H can operate for up to 5 hours with a 12kg payload by utilizing its two propulsion methods.
On land, Singapore’s ST Engineering is highlighting its efforts to bring Hybrid Electric Drive (HED) technology to its existing range of combat vehicles.
“Modern combat platforms are packed with computers and power-hungry electronics: battle management systems, command, control and communications systems, navigation, cameras and situational awareness equipment, threat detection sensors and active protection systems, in addition to basic car functions,” ST An Engineering representative told AMR.
“These power-hungry systems are completely dependent on power provided by the vehicle’s alternator and low-voltage battery systems, which are already at their limits,” the representative added.[Therefore], we need to rethink how we design vehicles relevant to the battlefield of the future. “
ST Engineering showcased its new 8×8 hybrid Terrex Infantry Fighting Vehicle with QinetiQ in-wheel drive unit and 4×4 Off-Road Utility Vehicle (XUV) featuring a modular architecture that accommodates a Hybrid Electric Drive (HED) system, These include diesel generator modules, high-voltage battery systems, and various electric drivetrain components such as shaft drives and in-wheel motors.
These are further supported by intelligent energy management and drive-by-wire, which the company claims offers a number of tactical advantages, including extended-range operation and quiet operation.
