Are Tactical Vehicles About to Go Electric?

• GM Defense reveals Next Gen Tactical Vehicle prototype, which pairs a 2.8-liter Duramax turbo diesel engine with a battery and two electric motors, allowing the truck to operate silently and with a reduced heat signature.

• The prototype is based on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD ZR2 truck, but features a unique exterior that could be upgraded with add-on armor.

• The truck is also designed to provide the crew with plenty of internal power for various electronics, and includes anti-drone operations as one of its missions, among others.

Extended-range EVs have been around long enough for many car shoppers to know and appreciate their benefits, but so far they haven't trickled into the military industrial complex, at least not into the vehicles we see on front line. That's mostly due to the fact the US military has very specific requirements regarding fuel compatibility and parts support, and also because the timescales of military procurement don't really overlap with civilian vehicle product cycles all that much.

But given the fact that the modern battlefield is increasingly filled with energy-hungry technology, from drone jamming systems to communication gear, it was only a matter of time before we'd see a military truck of some sort with an EV drive mode.

That's just what GM Defense is unveiling this month at the annual exposition of the Association of the US Army (AUSA) in Washington DC, showcasing a Next Gen Tactical Vehicle prototype that pairs a 2.8-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine that uses JP8 fuel with a 12-module battery and two electric motors.

The truck itself is based on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD ZR2 truck, with an electric motor at each axle, permitting Silent Drive and Silent Watch modes that produce low acoustic and thermal signatures.

That's a key feature on today's battlefields, which are filled with drones that utilize night vision and infrared technology to spot the warm engines of vehicles hiding in the bushes.

"Our Next Gen vehicle is a game-changing mobility solution that delivers tactically significant capabilities by integrating GM's proven commercial technologies," said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense.

Onboard power is another key feature, allowing the vehicle's occupants to run a number of peripheral devices, from night vision scopes to electronic jamming equipment.

All the standard features of the Silverado 2500HD ZR2 are also part of the prototype, including electronic stability control, 360-degree cameras, ABS, and rollover protection.

"This rugged and highly capable diesel-powered vehicle offers tactical advantages, such as Silent Operations, exportable power, and increased range with extended mission duration. Our warfighters deserve the latest technology that industry can offer in order to gain and maintain competitive advantage over our adversaries," duMont added.

Despite the brutish exterior, the truck as it sits is not armored, with GM only noting that it is capable of featuring add-on armor. Such additions tend to be some of the heaviest when it comes to such vehicles—including ballistic glass that is several inches thick designed to stop common assault rifle rounds—but also some of the most expensive.

But just like the HMMWV that was developed at first without armor, receiving such variants only years later, armor is not necessarily a part of relatively light trucks such as this one due to its mission profile.

GM's prototype is intended to carry out missions including counter unmanned aerial systems, command and control, casualty evacuation, launched effects, and others, and can feature two-, four-, and six-seat layouts.

We wouldn't hold our breath for now to see the new Silverado EV on the front lines any time soon, EV chargers being somewhat rare in today's war zones, but a diesel engine paired with a battery could make some sense.

Will we see military vehicles of this type embrace electric batteries and motors, or will vehicles such as this remain reliant on ICE tech for quite some time? Let us know what you think in the comments below.