WASHINGTON, (BM) – General Eric Wesley, director of the Center for the Future and Concepts of the US Army, shared with journalists some thoughts on the use of electric vehicles for military purposes, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.
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According to the general, modern electric cars are already quite comparable in size and weight with a light combat vehicle, and therefore it can be assumed that in about ten years the army will partially switch to similar technologies.
In addition, the American army understands that the auto industry is moving faster towards electricity, and they do not want to stay with a fleet of backward equipment, which will be difficult and expensive to get spare parts for.
The design of the electric motor is much simpler, and this is also a big plus from the point of view of the military – it is easier to maintain and less load on the supply structures. And most importantly, the use of internal combustion engines requires the displacement of a huge amount of fuel, and, accordingly, the continuous provision of security for the supply routes in the combat zone, which draws significant forces.
The main problem for the military is not even the capacity of the batteries – technology in this area is constantly evolving – but access to electricity in combat conditions. In this regard, the general points to mobile nuclear reactors: “Technology shows that a safe, mobile nuclear power plant – for example, placed in the back of a truck – is quite real.” And the problem is already being solved – most recently, the Pentagon has concluded contracts for the development of such mobile installations.
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Wesley believes that although the decision to transfer the army to electric vehicles can only be made in the next decade, a detailed plan or a step-by-step strategy for moving in this direction should be developed now. What his center is doing is preparing a report with assessments and specific proposals, which should be presented in early summer.
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