Army Vehicle Power System and Load Study

The study compiled a band of power system data so that, given an electric power profile for any army vehicle, an optimum power system approach can be selected. The basis for the selection are four parameters; weight, volume, efficiency, and life cycle cost. The major power system components included in the study were a gas turbine, fuel for a 24 hour and a 48 hour mission, a generator, a voltage regulator, system controls, and protection. Three types of electric power were investigated; 28 volts d-c, 56 volts d-c and 115/200 volts, 3 phase, 400 Hz a-c. The study indicates that the type of electric power selected should be a function of what is best for the loads since fuel weight is quite large compared with the other components. Also, a method of determining life cycle cost for a vehicle electric power system is described.