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Education to Support Transformation

By Deirdre CascardoJanuary 6, 2025

Christopher Johnson, a field engineer at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center, accepted educational opportunities to pursue a graduate degree in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles in support of Army.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN, Md. - Successful Army Transformation requires novel ideas and processes that harness the emerging technologies from the rapidly changing world around us.

Christopher Johnson, a mechanical engineer at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center (ATC), is on the forefront of understanding these new technologies and is becoming one of the organization’s most knowledgeable electric and hybrid electric vehicle field engineers.

What drives him? His desire to keep learning though his work while seeking educational opportunities.

In 2022, ATC’s leadership encouraged the workforce to upskill and reskill themselves to help get ready to test the next generation of Army systems.  The workforce was challenged to grow their expertise by taking classes toward a degree, attending technical training, participating in conferences, and learning new professional skills.

Prior to ATC’s training effort, Mr. Johnson had taken the initiative to pursue some advanced classes in hybrid electric vehicles.  However, his interest in his daily work and the promise of the organization to support his education pushed him to commit to formal training. He enrolled in the online Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Certificate Program offered by Michigan Technological University. Some of his graduate level courses cover battery technology and the integration of motion systems into hybrid systems and fuel cells. These courses have been relevant and applicable to the daily testing of Tactical Hybrid Electric Vehicles, also known as “T-HEV”, the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR), the Remote Combat Vehicle (RCV), and M10 Booker test programs.

“His contributions have already significantly improved our understanding and test methodology in this emerging technology”, said David Kronick, Senior Mechanical Engineer and Johnson’s co-worker.

The work Johnson and his colleagues perform on hybrid electric vehicles supports the Army’s silent watch and silent mobility efforts – enabling our warfighters to move, conduct reconnaissance or surveillance operations and remain practically undetected.

Hybrid electric vehicles have introduced new challenges to traditional methods of testing. Johnson has used the information from his graduate courses, to develop methods to assess battery health, status of charge, and how the battery is used compared to its original design and intent.

“My classes cover the process of battery charging, the potential hazards associated with batteries, and why many people might not realize that certain actions can damage them. Even though the battery may seem to function fine, hidden damage could emerge later”, said Johnson. Gaining a better understanding of batteries allows Johnson and his team to mitigate hazards and reduce risks while testing.

While safety in testing is always a top priority, Johnson found the performance of several HMMWVs with electric motors to be eye opening. “During acceleration tests, I was amazed how [an electric motor] could move something so big, so fast”, said Johnson.

Johnson is also a member of ATC's Electrification Working Group (EWG), a group designated to resolve challenges and develop methods to harness new hybrid, battery and power system technologies to ensure testing is carried out efficiently and safely. Through this group, Johnson played a major role in the development of an alert system for lithium-ion batteries to help mitigate risk of battery failure to personnel and facilities. The system uses an ATC-developed Advanced Distributed Modular Acquisition System (ADMAS) to send notifications to personnel through email or text when the sensor next to the battery detects off-gassing.

“Chris is a great example of the willingness of many of our employees to seek knowledge that directly impacts how we can help our warfighters. Most of his studies were done on time outside of work hours. He and his family have sacrificed a lot of family time for him to reach his goals and we're extremely proud of the work he's put in to gain needed knowledge,” said Todd Morris, Johnson’s supervisor and chief of the Performance Test Branch Chief.

In an era of great technological change and challenge, skillsets cannot remain idle. Johnson is a testament to the importance of investing in oneself and organizations investment in the Army’s priority – people. Johnson is on the forefront of learning and leading in an important area that will enable the most thorough testing of these unique systems, in support of Army initiatives.

“I would like to share the knowledge I’ve gained,” said Johnson, “I want to make sure we [ATC] are prepared to accept these vehicles and test them safely, so they are in a better place for our warfighters.”

Last fall, Johnson completed his courses in the Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Certificate Program and recently began his studies in Michigan Technological University’s Mechanical Engineering Master’s program.

To request test services, please visit the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command’s request for test services page.

As a subordinate of the U.S. Army Evaluation Command, U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center is committed to supporting the warfighter through the development of leading-edge instrumentation and test methodologies to enable a decisive advantage when it counts.