General Dynamics wins “Best New Armoured Vehicle” award

UK award for innovative electric drive vehicle bolsters strong FRES position

28 January 2006

General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has welcomed a major Armoured Fighting Vehicle award for the General Dynamics Advanced Hybrid Electric Drive vehicle, known as AHED. The AHED won the Best New Armoured Vehicle/Armoured Vehicle System category against international opposition in the inaugural Defence IQ award ceremony at the Imperial War Museum, London on Wednesday, 24 January 2007.

The leading example of an 8x8 hybrid electric drive armoured vehicle, AHED utilises in-hub motors coupled to an engine/generator and incorporates a high capacity Lithium Ion battery pack. In-hub hybrid electric drive is a revolutionary new automotive concept which has profound implications for the design of armoured vehicles. It offers improved survivability, mobility and stealth over current technologies.

The AHED is a major technological advance and plays an important role in the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) programme, the future armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) capability of the UK Armed Forces. General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, in association with General Dynamics Land Systems, was awarded a contract in August 2005 for the FRES Chassis Concept (CC) Technology Demonstration Programme (TDP). General Dynamics is recognised as a leading contender for the key roles in the FRES programme, including the delivery of a 2012 Initial Operating Capability for the Utility variant, as well as future technology such as electric drive.

Dr Sandy Wilson, President and Managing Director of General Dynamics UK, said “As a UK prime systems integrator with unique British capability in the AFV arena, we are delighted that this award has recognised the success of the General Dynamics AHED, which takes the best of global technology and puts it to work to the benefit of the FRES programme. It reinforces the credentials we bring to the FRES programme as a strong candidate across the fields of Design Authority, vehicle supplier and System of Systems Integrator.”