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GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors, is collaborating with the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) to evaluate commercial battery electric technology for military use. The project, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, aims to assess the capabilities of automotive batteries under dynamic scenarios, potentially enhancing future military platforms with domestic energy storage solutions.
Key Highlights
- Project Partners: GM Defense, UTA Pulsed Power and Energy Laboratory (PPEL), Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD)
- Funding: U.S. Department of Defense’s Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF)
- Technology: GM’s Ultium Platform propulsion architecture
- Goals: Evaluate commercial automotive batteries’ performance under dynamic conditions and provide insights for future military applications.
GM Defense utilizes GM’s Ultium Platform, a modular and scalable propulsion architecture that can deliver significant power, range, and adaptability. This platform, capable of integrating different chemistries and cell form factors, is ideal for dynamic, high-power operations necessary in military applications. This collaboration will provide insights into battery performance and design considerations for future military use.
Steve duMont, president of GM Defense, stated, “The Department of Defense can benefit from billions of dollars in GM investments to develop and manufacture transformative battery technologies.” These innovations offer substantial potential to enhance operational capabilities globally.
David Wetz, a professor at UTA and director of PPEL, emphasized the unique position of PPEL in evaluating this technology due to its extensive experience with the DoD and Office of Naval Research. This collaboration aims to test the Ultium Platform’s potential for future military applications.
Peter Crouch, dean of UTA’s College of Engineering, highlighted the collaboration’s benefits in advancing military capabilities and contributing to workforce development, producing engineers capable of solving complex national problems.
Previously, GM Defense participated in the Defense Innovation Unit’s Jumpstart for Advanced Battery Standardization (JABS) project, which similarly evaluated high-voltage battery systems to optimize commercial technologies for defense use. Insights from JABS will inform future battery electric defense solutions.
About GM Defense LLC
GM Defense delivers integrated vehicle, power and propulsion, and autonomy and connectivity solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. Their technologies benefit from General Motors’ decades of proven performance and significant investment in independent research and development. For further details, visit GM Defense.
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