General Dynamics Equips US Army 21st Century Truck with Fuel Cell Power Unit
Technology from Acumentrics Corp. provides up to 5 kilowatts to power air conditioning, other utilities.
TAUNTON, Mass. – General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has delivered a first-of-its-kind, fuel cell-based auxiliary power unit (APU) to SunLine Transit Agency for installation aboard "The 21st Century Truck," a government-industry collaborative effort for development of commercially viable technologies that will dramatically cut the fuel use and emissions of commercial trucks and buses.
Chris Marzilli, vice president and general manager of commercial hardware systems for General Dynamics C4 Systems, said, "The military has become an early adopter of this technology because of the enormous potential it holds for improving the quality of its mobile power systems. The tactical advantages of stealth and agility, along with the prospect of logistical savings in reliability and fuel efficiency, make this technology directly relevant to the DoD's transformation objectives."
As configured for the 21st Century Truck, the five kilowatt (5kW) power unit will act as a battery charger to electrify the air conditioning and other driver utilities in the concept Class 8 tractor when it is parked, avoiding the noise, emissions, and expense of running the vehicle's engine for electrical power. Class 8 trucks (mostly tractor semitrailers) consume approximately 68 percent of all commercial truck fuel used, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy.
General Dynamics integrated an Acumentrics Corporation 5kW fuel cell "stack," which is based on Acumentrics’ proprietary solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, into a specially designed cabinet housing the power plant, thermal management system, power electronics and controls. The advanced fuel cell APU system is mounted behind the experimental truck’s cab and provides a continuous charge to a 42 volt DC battery system to power the environmental control unit and other engine loads.
"This is a significant accomplishment in the ongoing effort to bring alternative energy solutions to practical fruition," said Bill Clapper, Executive Director for SunLine Services Group. "We are pleased to have General Dynamics as part of our team to bring forward demonstrable solutions to advance the U.S. Army’s objectives under this important development program."
Partners in the 21st Century Truck program include the U.S. Army, the U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. trucking industry. The National Automotive Center, Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) is the Army’s lead agency for the program.
The U.S. Army is interested in electrification of diesel engine loads in order to improve the efficiency and exhaust emissions of its systems, achieve enhanced silent watch capability, ease cooling loads to tightly packed radiators and decrease the space claim of a bare engine by moving loads to off-engine locations. It may be possible to increase the life of components by running them only when needed or at lower speeds.
Dr. Warren Ziegler, Acumentrics’ vice president of technology, said, "We are glad to be fielding another of our fuel cells with General Dynamics, our partner for military applications. This unit is from our current production run of SOFCs, which are designed for rapid start-up and to run directly off a variety of light hydrocarbon fuels including natural gas."
General Dynamics C4 Systems provides secure command, control, computing, communication and information solutions that integrate custom-developed and commercial off-the-shelf products for the military and commercial markets. It designs, integrates, and supports strategic and tactical battlefield communication systems, worldwide. It has pioneered automated approaches to mission planning; battlespace management; targeting/fire support; mapping, charting and geodesy and simulation for its military and commercial customers. It also provides environmentally hardened and special packaging of computer equipment and peripherals for both customer segments.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 54,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2002 revenues of $14 billion. The company has leading market positions in land and amphibious combat systems, mission-critical information systems and technologies, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation.
Acumentrics Corporation, a privately owned company based in Westwood, Mass., is a leading developer of new technologies for distributed power generation and premium power markets. Acumentrics' unique and proprietary natural gas fueled, tubular solid-oxide fuel cell systems are designed for on-site power generation and premium power. Acumentrics' high-speed, flywheel-based and battery based uninterruptible power supplies are designed to enhance power quality.
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Any "forward-looking statements" contained in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
General Dynamics Corporation (ticker: GD, exchange: NYSE)
Media Advisory - Monday, November 18, 2002
Press Contact: (508) 880-1636
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