The Australian military’s aggressive pursuit of tactical vehicle power is demonstrated by the Australian military’s debut of the Bushmaster Electric Protected Military Vehicle (ePMV) at the recent Army Chiefs of Staff Symposium (CAS2022).
The launched ePMV is fully electric, powered by a battery that provides a range of 100 kilometers. According to Defense Department sources, the current model will be used in trials aimed at exploring the capabilities and suitability of the all-electric tactical vehicle for military applications. A follow-up model with a range of 300km is in development, while an eventual hybrid-electric drive with 140kW of power and 480 Nm of continuous torque complementing the range-extended diesel engine is under consideration.
The advantages of ePMV include its extremely quiet operation and responsive handling. It is also addressing the growing need for more power capacity needed by military systems for on-board and exportable power. Evidence of the need for more power to drive can be seen in the demonstration of another Bushmaster with solid solar panels at CAS.
Speaking about the ePMV project, Assistant Secretary of Defence, Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, said: “We’ve seen great success with Australian-designed and built vehicles keeping people safe in fires, and the new ePMV represents that. The next stage of innovation in a tradition. This ePMV brings the benefits of electric vehicles to the battlefield, especially being quieter than combustion vehicles.”
The inquiry into new technologies such as electric drives is seen as a key part of Australia’s defence “future readiness”.
Stephen W. Miller
