PENTAGON, Washington D.C. -- The Army announced plans for a "Green Warrior Convoy" to demonstrate vehicle energy and educate the value of science and technology in Army vehicles.
Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for installation, energy and environment made the announcement during the opening of the Army's new Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory (GSPEL) at the Detroit Arsenal, Warren, Mich.
Hammack said that in this time next year, the Army will launch a "Green Warrior Convoy" of vehicles from Warren, Michigan to Washington D.C. as part of the road testing of technologies and systems developed at the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC).
"This convoy of technologies will stop at schools, colleges, communities and military facilities along the way to demonstrate vehicle energy and educate the value of science and technology in vehicles. From fuel cells to hybrid systems, battery technologies to alternative fuels, the Army will highlight its advanced vehicle power and technology developments through the convoy," she said.
We are working to increase the efficiency of our vehicles, in both our tactical and non-tactical fleets," She said. "Not only does this help reduce our logistical challenges, but it will result in future savings for the Army, added mission capability, saving resources and most important it is about saving Soldiers lives by reducing hazardous fuel convoys, targeted by our adversaries," Hammack emphasized.
Hammack said, "Mirroring the Army's overall power and Energy Strategy the Green Warrior Convoy will serve as part of a continued power and energy program to test and move out aggressively on energy efficient technologies across our Soldier, Basing and Vehicle Power platforms in support of our War fighters. These programs will result in future savings for the Army, added mission capability, and ensure the Army of tomorrow has the same or greater access to energy, water, land, and natural resources as the Army of today."
"We are thrilled to demonstrate the innovative work being generated by the Army and our partners," she said.
Hammack also pointed out, "By the end of next year, our tactical vehicles and generators will be certified to operate on alternative fuel blends. We stand ready to use alternative fuels when industry can produce them at a volume and price we can afford."
The Green Warrior Convoy vehicles compliment the Army Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Asset Vehicle. The STEM Asset Vehicle launched in January, like this convoy of technologies, is designed to publicize STEM careers and demonstrate how civilian scientists and engineers help to ensure America's national security, along with uniformed Soldiers.
The convoy's route from Michigan to Washington and the compliment of vehicles within the convoy will be announced at a later date.
GSPEL is a comprehensive addition to TARDEC's series of vehicle energy laboratories. The eight -in-one facility offers numerous testing capabilities and an unmatched combination of resources focused on energy efficiency in a single lab.
The centerpiece -- the Power and Energy Vehicle Environmental Lab (PEVEL) -- features one of the world's largest environmental chambers. The lab's dynamometer and environmental chamber combination allows full mission profile testing of every ground vehicle platform in the military inventory in any environmental condition. The PEVEL enables testing at temperatures from minus 60°F to 160°F, in relative humidity levels from 0 to 95 percent and with winds up to 60 mph.
During the opening ceremony, Hammack noted that TARDEC has made huge strides in increasing vehicle fuel efficiencies, with the development of the Fuel Efficient Ground-Vehicle Demonstrator.
"This project's goal is to improve military vehicle technology by reducing fuel consumption on the battlefield and reducing the military's dependence on oil," Hammack said. She noted, "While not as futuristic as some of the concept vehicles I have seen emerging from Detroit, this concept vehicle improved fuel economy by 70 percent through engine efficiencies, hybrid-electric vehicle systems and host of other advances that maximize efficiency and increased the reliability of our vehicles for our Soldiers."
"This state-of-the-art facility … will give our nation the tools to continue development of these cutting edge technologies and solutions for our vehicles and for our war fighters.
GSPEL offers shared access to industry and academia to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas to develop emerging energy technologies and validate ground vehicle systems -- research that could also help the Nation achieve energy efficiency and security goals.
For more information on GSPEL or the Green Warrior Convoy, contact Dave Foster, Media Relations Division, Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, at 703.697.5344 or Dave.Foster1@us.army.mil.
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