Optimal Use Cases for Electric and Hybrid Tactical Vehicles

In alignment with the U.S. Army's Climate Strategy and the broader trend in automotive technology, there is a strategic shift towards electrification and hybridization of the vehicle fleet. While a major goal of this effort is to mitigate the carbon footprint of the U.S. Army's vehicle operations, this transition also presents an opportunity to harness advancements in automotive electrification. Among the key vehicles in focus are tactical wheeled vehicles, which provide military forces with versatile and rugged transportation solutions for various combat scenarios, ensuring mobility, protection, and adaptability on the battlefield. This study investigates the potential of electrified tactical wheeled vehicles by conducting a survey involving a diverse group of vehicle operators across various ranks within the U.S. Army. The aim is to identify novel applications achievable through electrification or hybridization, encompassing functions such as establishing command posts, prolonged silent overwatch missions, silent approach to an objective, bivouac operations, and opportunity charging. Complementing the survey insights, geospatial data obtained from the National Training Center sheds light on the real-world operational use of these vehicles. The resulting use cases serve as a foundational framework for deriving potential technical requirements tailored to an electrified tactical wheeled vehicle. By expanding the traditional roles of the tactical wheeled vehicle through electrification, this research contributes to the Army's vision of a more versatile, environmentally conscious, and technologically advanced tactical vehicle fleet.