INDUSTRY WATCH
THE UNIVERSITY OF
EXETER AND SUPACAT ARE
HELPING TO PAVE THE WAY
FOR A GREEN REVOLUTION
IN DEFENCE AND OFF-
ROAD TRANSPORT.
As the UK seeks to deliver a
‘greener’ future following
the government’s
announcement in February
to ban the sale of all new petrol and
diesel vehicles by 2035, the University of
Exeter and Supacat are helping to pave
the way for a green revolution in defence
and off-road transport.
A hybrid electrical powered version of the
All-Terrain Mobility Platform (the ATMP),
one of the world’s most popular, versatile
and battle-proven off road military
vehicles, has been developed.
Already validated to successfully operate
in a range of very harsh terrains, the
vehicle’s new technology could be
exported to allied forces and translated
into a range of challenging ‘off-highway’
uses, including emergency services, rail,
marine, forestry and aerospace.
Engineering experts from the University
of Exeter collaborated with British
designer and developer of high mobility
defence vehicles, Supacat, to pioneer a
new, electric-drive version of the ATMP
vehicle – which has been used by regular
and special operations forces in combat
zones across the world.
Called the H-ATMP, the new vehicle
replaces its traditional diesel engine with
six electric motors, one attached to each
wheel, and can be configured for full
electric or hybrid versions.
Crucially, for applying to other rugged
off-highway transportation, the hybrid
electric drive-train can be tailored
and customised, depending on the
mission, range, payload and operating
environment that each vehicle will be
used for.
Several commercial vehicle
manufacturers have introduced electric
drive trains into their SUVs and 4x4s, but
electric and hybrid drive technology is
very much a novelty in the military sector,
and particularly when engineered into a
high mobility vehicle. The H-ATMP can
be parachute-dropped and amphibious,
can deliver troops, carry up to 1600kg
payload and haul artillery across extreme
rough terrain.
Prof Chris Smith, University of Exeter,
said: “The H-ATMP has to be able to
cover the most intimidating and adverse
terrain, while drawing artillery and
carrying troops around the battlefield.
While it may seem that the technology is
similar to electric SUV vehicles we see on
the road, the reality is that is the H-ATMP
will conquer rough terrain that would
leave the best 4×4 stuck in the mud.”
The vehicle can also act as a power hub
for field hospitals or communication
systems, and because the electric vehicles
emit little noise or heat, the vehicle is
stealthy on the battlefield.
Now, the innovative, eco-friendly vehicle
is being developed further so it can
be ‘optionally manned’. This vehicle
will be able to drive itself over highly
complex terrains while the driver can
conduct other tasks or place themselves
in a safer location for more dangerous
operations, or it can be linked to a higher
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