News

Quantum Ships First Fuel Cell Vehicle to US Army

October 25, 2004 by Jeff Shepard

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. (Irvine, CA) and the US Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center's (TARDEC) National Automotive Center (NAC) unveiled its new Quantum Alternative Mobility Vehicle (AMV™), nicknamed the "Aggressor," which is a high-performance, off-road, fuel cell vehicle designed and manufactured by Quantum for the US Army under contract with the NAC. The vehicle provides significant advantages to US troops for high mobility in stealth operations.

The Quantum Aggressor runs on compressed hydrogen utilizing Quantum's proprietary Type IV impact-resistant, carbon fiber storage tanks. A 10 kW fuel cell is coupled with an energy storage module in a parallel hybrid configuration, which provides power on demand to a high-torque electric motor driving the rear-wheels. Preliminary tests have shown that the acceleration of the Quantum Aggressor is superior to an unmodified gasoline internal combustion engine-powered all-terrain vehicle, reaching 40 mph twice as fast. Ungoverned, the Quantum Aggressor is capable of reaching speeds of 80 mph.

The Quantum Aggressor can be driven to the intended destination and then be used as a silent power generator to produce electricity for telecommunications, surveillance, targeting and other battlefield equipment. The vehicle does not produce any emissions throughout the different operating modes.