When Rivian posted its now famous “tank turn” video in 2019, it forced many people to realize that electric driving could open up new possibilities for the way cars move. Now, Hyundai Rotem is promising to build a silent, electric-powered battle tank that can pull off the same trick — and more.
Diesel propulsion technology is not new. It has been powering trains, cranes, and other large machinery for decades. It was relatively recently that the US military began to test “hybrid” diesel-electric tanks, however – under the cover of breaking the Bradley BHEV (in public, at least) for the first time in 2022. The US Army reported that the hybrid electric drive configuration allowed for a 20% improvement in fuel economy, increased range, and improved performance. At the same time, the Army speculated that the Bradley BHEV would require reduced maintenance compared to its diesel counterparts, due to the reduced number of moving parts and lower load(s) on the diesel generator.
The latest Hyundai Rotem concept takes that idea a step further by removing the diesel generator entirely and replacing it with hydrogen fuel cells that not only send power to the electric motors that drive the tank's steps, but do so silently.
In addition, because the fuel cell and battery pack-pack can operate without giving off the heat signature of the diesel exhaust, it effectively seals the tank from hot optics and heat-seeking weapons.
“In line with ESG [environmental, social, governance] we build tanks that use hydrogen fuel cells, a source of energy that is good for the environment,” said Hyundai Rotem's CEO. “In collaboration with [Korean government’s] Defense Development Agency and others, and the development is expected to be completed around 2040 according to the research map. “
Which – look, calling hydrogen a “green fuel” is controversial, at best. It is certainly not possible for hydrogen to compete with battery electricity for mobility, but there may be a case for its use in very crowded conditions such as heavy duty machinery that may sink into mud or dirt due to the weight of its batteries or, frankly. , a military operation where costs and emissions are less of a concern than the ability to effectively help kill people before they kill you (no need to grease it). In that context, hydrogen might make sense.
Hyundai certainly thinks so, and the concept shown here enhances the capabilities of the company's K2 main battle tank with better acceleration, quieter operation, and radar-absorbing materials, combined with the vehicle's lower heat signature, making it a more formidable machine.
The tank also features autonomous driving to reduce the threat to human assets, remote drone operation for gunnery inspection and support, and a 130 mm smoothbore gun.
Hyundai plans to begin production of a similar machine within the next decade, with the goal of eventually achieving a fully electrified tank platform by 2040.
Electrek's Take
Pak Jae-yeol, commander of the 7th Corps, told Korea Economic Daily that, “if weapons such as tanks and helicopters move without noise and smoke, the power of the army will be much stronger.”
It's hard to argue with that. What I would take issue with, however, is Hydrogen Insight's assertion that, “Battery electric military vehicles are not considered a viable option because the armed forces cannot rely on access to the electric grid during wartime.”
It's hard to think of a dumber solution to fuel insecurity than hydrogen — a fuel notoriously difficult to refine, store, and transport (safely or otherwise). Especially when off-grid solar and wood-burning solutions for heat and power generation are being developed by some of the most respected defense contractors such as Rolls-Royce and Volvo.
But nobody asked me, right? The good news is that I'm asking you whether that makes sense or not, so get down to the comments and tell me how it is.
SOURCE | PHOTOS: Hyundai Rotem, via The Korea Herald; Fuel Cell Works, Hydrogen Insight.
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