U.S. Army to enhance hybrid Hummer

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Battery manufacturer EnerDel announced a deal with the U.S. Army to develop the next generation of lithium-ion batteries for the hybrid Humvee military vehicle.

EnerDel, a subsidiary of Ener1 Inc., announced it received a $1.29 million contract to design and build a high-performance lithium-ion battery system for the XM1124 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle.

The company said it would spend the next 18 months on the project along with scientists at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center in Warren, Mich., to build a custom battery system for the hybrid Humvee.

The Army will test lithium-manganese and lithium-titanate systems that are designed for hybrid vehicles intended for hard driving conditions.

EnerDel said the battery would enhance the power capability of the XM1124 Humvee, which it said was already faster and more efficient than the conventional M1113 Humvee.

Designs for the hybrid system include a silent mode to reduce the audio and thermal signature of the XM1124 and a feature that allows the vehicle to serve as a portable power supply for field use.