MillenWorks Light Utility Vehicle

Millenworks LUV
Type Utility Vehicle
Place of origin USA
Production history
Designer Rod Millen[1]
Designed 2007
Manufacturer MillenWorks
Specifications
Length 5.21 m (205in)[2]
Width 2.29 m (90in)
Height 2.03 m (80in) (nominal)
Crew 1+4
Armor A & B level armor kits
Main
armament
 Remote Weapon Station
Engine

Steyr Motors M16 VTI Combat
2x Brushless permanent magnet motors
215 hp, 400 ft.lbf


400 ft.lbf each
Payload capacity 1814 kg (4000 lb)
Transmission

(rear) Eaton Autoshift 6 speed Semi-automatic transmission


(front) Klune-V 2-Speed gearbox
Suspension SLA using semi-active Magneto Rheological dampers with ride height control
Ground clearance .46 m (18in) (nominal)
Speed 122 km/h (76 mph)

The MillenWorks Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) is a prototype testbed for automotive technologies. It was designed and built by MillenWorks under contract to the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center.[2] Textron Marine and Land Systems will use the platform for further development of component technologies.[3] The vehicle was a possible Joint Light Tactical Vehicle candidate, but was not selected.[1]

Design

The LUV has a very revolutionary drivetrain layout. The front wheels of the vehicle are powered by an electric motor located under the hood, while the rear wheels are powered by a separate diesel-electric parallel hybrid consisting of a second electric motor as well as a standard NATO M16 diesel motor. This eliminates the driveshaft common on most 4WD vehicles, and reduces the chances of an IED "mobility kill", since a hit in either the front or rear will not completely incapacitate the vehicle. [4] Eliminating the driveshaft also allows for greater ground clearance, which combined with a V-hull design, improves survivability from land mines, allowing the blast more space to dissipate. The vehicle's other safety features include scalable armor protection and a quick-release windshield for emergency egress. The front and rear sub-frames are identical, along with interchangeable suspension corners, which reduces the number of required spare parts. The throttle, braking system, and steering are all x-by-wire control systems.[5] [2] The driver sits in a centered position, similar to Rod Millen's Pikes Peak race cars and the McLaren F1.[1] It is transportable by C-130, CH-47, and CH-53.[2]

See also

Sources

  1. 1 2 3 Defense Tech: A Little LUV for the Future Military Jeep
  2. 1 2 3 4 ThumbsPlus Print Job
  3. ↑ JLTV Pathfinders: Hybrid Electric Powered JLTV Concept Vehicles Unveilled
  4. ↑ Military Videos: Videos, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Marines - Military Times
  5. ↑ MillenWorks - Driving Innovation
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