As part of this partnership, RENK plans to expand its portfolio of military hybrid transmissions, offering a full range of Series and Parallel hybrid options. The E-X-Drive system, developed by QinetiQ, is designed for a wide variety of tracked military vehicles, including uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) under 20 tons. Its scalable design allows for significant flexibility in propulsion architecture, making it a valuable addition to modern combat platforms.
Dr. Alexander Sagel, COO of RENK Group AG, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “The E-X-Drive hybrid solution is a fantastic addition to the RENK portfolio. It complements our existing product offerings for modern combat vehicles across all weight ranges, including the UGV market under 20 tons.” The technology offers improvements in fuel efficiency, mobility, and reliability, making it an important innovation for future military operations.
Will Blamey, Chief Executive of UK Defence at QinetiQ, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We see this as the next step in the development of this technology, and we look forward to working with RENK to address our customers’ future requirements.” The partnership aims to meet the evolving needs of modern defence forces as they shift toward electrification and carbon-neutral operations.
The E-X-Drive system is designed to enhance the performance of military vehicles by offering better maneuverability, higher torque, and increased reliability. It reduces maintenance costs and fuel consumption, making it a critical advancement in the development of hybrid military vehicles. RENK America plans to bring this technology to market, offering it as part of their broader portfolio of advanced transmission systems.
RENK has already made significant strides in hybrid technology, including the introduction of the world’s first hybrid transmission for main battle tanks up to 70 tons, showcased at Eurosatory 2024. With this new partnership, RENK continues to push the boundaries of vehicle mobility solutions, addressing the growing demand for alternate driveline systems, power efficiency, and autonomous driving capabilities in the defence sector.