The hybrid powerpack combined the mtu 10V 199 engine with ZF’s eLSG 5000 electrified manual gearbox. Rolls-Royce said the system achieved an output of more than 1,400 kW.
Rolls-Royce Power Systems was responsible for the integration, system architecture and overall design of the powertrain. The company said the system represented a step towards an integrated solution for heavy tracked vehicles with clear operational advantages.
The mtu PowerPack Xelerate was presented as a new generation of powerful and energy-efficient propulsion for military tracked vehicles. Rolls-Royce said the system strengthened its position as a provider of integrated system solutions and supported European industrial value creation in military mobility.
The company said the new powerpack significantly expanded vehicle capability and enhanced operational effectiveness. It was designed to make vehicles more agile and direct power to where it was needed in a given situation.
Rolls-Royce said the system’s high power density and electrified components gave greater flexibility for vehicle integration. The company said this could positively affect vehicle architecture and help reduce the total weight of tracked vehicles to the MLC 60 class, corresponding to around 54 tonnes.
The drivetrain could be controlled entirely electronically through drive-by-wire technology. Rolls-Royce said this made it ready for future vehicle concepts, including unmanned platforms.
The mtu PowerPack Xelerate built on current development work, including the MGCS programme. Rolls-Royce said the system moved the technology from the concept phase into a tangible, integrated solution that could also be significant for future programmes.
The first prototypes were expected later this decade. Rolls-Royce said series production could follow in future platforms from the 2030s onwards.
“With the mtu PowerPack Xelerate, we are launching an integrated propulsion system that effectively combines the growing demands for energy, power and efficiency. It embodies a clear systems-based approach – featuring intelligent hybridisation, high power density and proven robustness,” said Andreas Görtz, President of the Mobile & Sustainable Business Unit at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
The unveiling was attended by senior representatives from politics and industry. Alongside Andreas Görtz and Dr Andreas Strecker, Chief Financial Officer at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, Jens Lehmann, Member of the German Bundestag, also attended the presentation.
Rolls-Royce said modern land forces were undergoing a transformation as demand increased for both propulsion power and electrical energy. The company said sensors, communications and protection systems were adding to energy needs, while efficiency, range and signature reduction were becoming increasingly important.
The mtu PowerPack Xelerate was designed to address those requirements comprehensively. Rolls-Royce said it offered armed forces greater operational readiness, additional power for complex on-board systems and a propulsion solution that could be flexibly integrated into different vehicle types.
The company said the system-based approach also simplified operation and maintenance. It added that the architecture could help make logistical processes more efficient for future military tracked vehicle fleets.
