UK MoD awards contracts to trial hybrid electric drives on Foxhound, Jackal 2

The UK’s NP Aerospace has been awarded a GBP3 million (USD3.9 million) contract to demonstrate hybrid electric drive systems on the UK’s Foxhound protected mobility vehicle and the Jackal 2 reconnaissance vehicle, according to a 20 August announcement from the UK’s Ministry of Defence.

The hybrid drive was developed by Magtec, and will be installed in co-operation with General Dynamics Land Systems-UK (GDLS-UK) and Supacat, the prime contractors for the vehicles.

According to the MoD, the hybrid drives will offer the vehicles an enhanced silent over-watch capability, a degree of silent mobility, increased on-board power for more complex electrical systems, and a form of off-board power to support dismounted operations. GDLS-UK declined to comment.

The hybrid drive is expected to operate alongside the diesel engines of both vehicles, and include a battery that can be used for silent over-watch duties. The Foxhound was designed by the UK company Ricardo with an eye towards eventually fitting a hybrid drive if required.

The contract is part of the Protected Mobility Engineering & Technical Support (PMETS) programme awarded to NP Aerospace in 2019 to support the UK’s fleet of 2,200 wheeled protected mobility vehicles with the goal of ensuring that the fleet is constantly updated and upgraded, the MoD said.