Jackal 1 moves towards hybrid electric drive installation

The UK’s Supacat completed physical modifications to a Jackal 1 4x4 surveillance and reconnaissance vehicle (SRV) in mid-December 2020, and is ready for Magtec to integrate its hybrid electric drive (HED) system.

Jackal 1 4x4 SRVs are powered by a six-cylinder Cummins diesel engine developing 185 hp, coupled to an Allison 2500 five-speed automatic transmission and a two-speed transfer case. This gives a maximum road speed of up to 120 km/h, and a range of up to 800 km.

For the HED application, the six-cylinder engine has been replaced by a four-cylinder Cummins diesel engine coupled to a generator that provides power to a bank of batteries located in the rear cargo area, which in turn provides power to the four wheels.

Side drawing of the Jackal 1 4x4 hybrid electric drive, which has a Cummins four-cylinder diesel coupled to a Magtec generator. (Supacat)

Magtec was selected in August 2020 by NP Aerospace, the lead contractor for the Protected Mobility Engineering & Technical Support (PMETS) contract. The company was assessed by NP Aerospace and the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) as able to offer a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) HED application for the Jackal 1 with low developmental and programme risk.

When integration is completed, the vehicle will undergo a series of trials at the Millbrook Proving Ground (MPG) in the first quarter of 2021, with these trials expected to be completed in mid-2021.

Steve Austen, engineering director at Supacat parent SC Group, told Janes,