News

September 13th 2011 - Specialist Vehicle demonstration phase powers forward with start of engine testing

 London, United Kingdom – Following the success of the turret, cannon and sensor testing for the Specialist Vehicle (SV) programme, General Dynamics UK has begun testing of the engine, achieving another important milestone for the SV Programme. General Dynamics UK chose an uprated version of MTU’s 8V199 TE21 engine to power the SV family of vehicles. The engine drives SV’s ability to grow up to a maximum of 42 tonnes in weight without the need to upgrade the engine during the 30-year life of the vehicle. It will also play a key role in ensuring the entire SV family, from the Scout reconnaissance vehicle to the Protected Mobility Reconnaissance Support (PMRS) troop carrier which can carry 8 soldiers and 2 crew members, will be easily able to operate in terrain too difficult for any other British Army armoured fighting vehicle.

The engine is currently undergoing a comprehensive two-month performance and reliability growth test programme to optimise engine capability and validate operating performance under the differing and demanding conditions of fuel type, environment and load cycle, as required by SV.

The SV engine

The 8V 199 TE21 engine is the latest development of MTU’s family of highly reliable, militarised engines and delivers some of the latest advances in engine technology to the British Army. Such advances include an improved air induction system with higher-rated turbo chargers and intercooler, and an optimised fuel system which result in an increased power output of a constant 600kW or 815hp at 2,000 to 2,300 rpm and maximum torque output of 3,000Nm. These outputs make SV one of the highest power-to-weight ratio vehicles in its class.

Further features of the SV engine include a two-stage Pulse Jet Air Cleaner filter, optimised cooling systems and a militarised lubrication system. The two-stage Pulse Jet Air Cleaner filter extracts debris and particulates being drawn in to the engine, and monitors and cleans itself in order to maintain optimal running conditions in dusty environments. The cooling systems address SV’s need to operate in environmental extremes of altitude and temperature, whether in the harsh, dusty environments of desert regions, such as one sees in Afghanistan, or equally in cold conditions.

In addition, the engine will provide all the power to run the on-board mission systems, from weapons to high-performance sensor suites.
 
The engine’s improved performance also delivers increased operational availability and reduced maintenance. The enhanced efficiency of the filtration system will help reduce the risk of damage to internal combustion elements, a major contributor to operating costs, spares consumption and logistic burden. It will also have a positive effect on fuel economy, extending the operational range of the vehicle.
 
A less powerful version of this engine is already in service with the infantry fighting vehicles ULAN (Austria) and Pizarro (Spain) and the armoured personnel carrier Boxer (Germany, Netherlands), whilst the German Puma vehicle is using this very same powerpack successfully.
 
The next stage in the process will be to integrate the engine with the new SV transmission and to subject the system to further tests as a powerpack, before installing it into the first prototype platform in the last quarter of this year.
Back to News Index