The technology company VINCORION based in Wedel has signed a contract for the delivery of more than 700 EPG huskyV W 600 onboard generators for the Boxer. Additional orders for future projects are expected, meaning orders for a total of more than 1,000 generators are anticipated. This demonstrates the performance of the company’s military energy systems in armored vehicles, too.
The new VINCORION generator, the EPG huskyV W 600, is a water-cooled onboard generator for use in all scenarios: in the Boxer, it can see to the vehicle’s power supply as well as supplying the various mission modules as it supplies power of up to 600 amperes, making it ready for future requirements, too. A new digital voltage regulator has been incorporated, enabling the generator to be adapted to different applications.
Manufacturers Place Their Trust in VINCORION Components
VINCORION has now signed a framework agreement with KNDS Germany. “Delivery of the generator for the Boxer is a very important order for us,” says Dr. Stefan Stenzel, managing director of VINCORION. “This tells us demand for the Boxer remains high. It also shows that manufacturers of modern military technology are placing their trust in VINCORION components and are using these to equip their vehicles.”
The order currently amounts to approximately twelve million euros. The company anticipates additional orders being placed for these modern generators.
Power Increased from 370 to 600 Amperes
“The new generator fits perfectly in the vehicles’ installation space,” explains Stenzel. This means that, in addition to all new vehicles, existing vehicles could likewise be equipped with it if demand for power grows. The predecessor model, the SF 217, was able to deliver 370 amperes, and this has been increased to 600 amperes in the new version. “Modern military technology requires more energy, among other things for communications and air conditioning. We are specialists in the field of military energy supplies. Be it power supplies for sophisticated electronics or for radar systems, our generator reliably supplies the energy needed.”
Intensive vehicle testing with the Boxer featuring the new generator system has already been conducted in the UK and Australia. The new EPG huskyV W 600 model has therefore already demonstrated its reliability. The VINCORION engineers also report that its performance remained stable at all times in vehicle test-drives of more than 1,000 kilometers conducted in Switzerland. The water cooling of the generator means it can operate irrespective of the ambient conditions.
Peak Performance at all Times
The temperatures in the cooling circuit can increase significantly without adversely affecting performance. The generator is also water-resistant in accordance with protection class IP 67. “The generator experiences next to no losses due to changing ambient temperatures. It therefore delivers peak performance at all times,” emphasizes Stenzel.
The EPG huskyV W 600 is manufactured at the VINCORION plant in Essen, which also produces generators for the Leopard 2 tank and the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. A number of the parts such as mechanical components come from the company headquarters in Wedel. VINCORION has built up considerable expertise in generators at its Essen site – and this is what the major contract is founded on. The company also anticipates being able to recruit additional skilled workers as a result of the order.
Technology Company Delievers Energy Supply
Switzerland has ordered five Patriot™ air and missile defense systems from U.S. manufacturer Raytheon as the Swiss air defense solution under the “Air 2030” program. The power supply for the systems is being provided by the technology company VINCORION, based in Wedel near Hamburg, Germany.
VINCORION is proud to provide the power supply for one of the world’s best air defense systems, as it has again been proven in the Ukraine recently. “This provides the Patriot system with a stable, reliable and battle proven power supply for the radar and fire units”, Stefan Stenzel, CEO of VINCORION, affirms.
Self-Sufficient Radar Operation
The order includes “EPP radarV” (“Electric Power Plants”) units that supply power to the radar system and 15-kilowatt power generators that will be supplied for the Patriot launcher. The order further includes frequency converters rated at 150 kilowatts and converters rated at two times 15 kilowatts each. This allows to power the Patriot System without any CO2 emissions directly from the public grid. In this configuration, the generators remain as back-up power source. “Security and military superiority depend on reliable radar operation that is self-sufficient at all times,” emphasizes Stefan Stenzel. VINCORION manufactures the power supply for Patriot at its site in Altenstadt, Bavaria.
In June of 2021, the Swiss Government announced its intent to purchase the proven Patriot™ system for its ground-based air defence, selected as the preferred solution after evaluation as part of the competitive BODLUV GR Air2030 tender.
Modernizing the Patriot system’s energy supply
Patriot is an air and missile defense system consisting of radars, command and control, and interceptor missiles. It can detect, identify, and engage cruise missiles, drones, advanced fighter aircraft and other airborne threats.
VINCORION is consistently working on modernizing the energy supply. To this end, the company is developing new hybrid solutions. These can reduce fuel consumption and thus lead to lower operating costs. This is because lower emissions mean lower consumption of resources – and help reduce the number of personnel who have to be deployed for refueling operations, for example. However, there are no compromises in terms of performance.
The Patriot system is the basis for an integrated air and missile defense system for 18 nations. In Europe, the system’s customers include Germany, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Romania. VINCORION has been a supplier to Patriot for 30 years.
Claus Ruhe Madsen, Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister for Economics, visited the technology company VINCORION in Wedel on Friday, April 14, to learn more about the situation in the German state’s industrial SME sector. The minister stressed that the German Armed Forces must be equipped quickly and that there shouldn’t be any further delays in procurement.
In a conversation with Madsen, Stefan Stenzel, managing director of VINCORION, explained the industry’s desire for planability and reliability from policymakers. He also showcased the latest developments in the industry related to, for example, “green defense” and ways to cut carbon emissions.
Procurement Cannot Be Allowed to Drag On
“The defense technology industry is extremely important to Schleswig-Holstein’s economy,” Madsen noted. Germany’s northernmost state is home to approximately 30 companies in this sector that employ roughly 7,000 people and indirectly provide as many as 20,000 jobs. The industry also includes a significant number of industrial SMEs – such as VINCORION.
“The state government wants a good portion of the 100-billion-euro special fund for Germany’s military to be invested here in the North,” Madsen emphasized. “New material for the military must be procured quickly; this is necessary both in terms of security policy and economic policy.” The minister expressed understanding for the fact that it causes problems for the industry when procurement processes take a long time. The industry needs binding commitments in order to plan, Stenzel explained. If equipment is given to Ukraine, for example, it will take up to 24 months to be replaced. This is because material is also sometimes difficult to obtain.
No Stigma When It Comes to Providing Loans
The fact that defense companies have difficulty obtaining loans from banks in times of military threat is not acceptable in this day and age. “There can’t be any stigma associated with this. That would be to disregard the importance of the defense industry to the state. And it would also run counter to our foreign policy and security policy interests.”
This situation was caused by ESG (environment, social, governance) criteria and the EU taxonomy, which imposes new rules on banks when it comes to providing loans. Defense technology must be recognized as sustainable to facilitate financing. Madsen plans to raise the issue not only with banks in the state, but also to continue talks about the potential involvement of the state-owned KfW Bank.
The German Armed Forces’ Investment Backlog Must Be Eliminated
The war in Ukraine has shifted the public’s perspective on the need for a military that is operationally ready and also on the defense technology industry in general, Stenzel told the minister. “In this respect, we can expect that the needed investments in our military will now also be made in Germany as soon as possible.”
Stenzel pointed out that his company still has not received any concrete orders from the 100-billion-euro special fund – even though numerous defense contractors have submitted inquiries. “The special fund has been specifically earmarked for equipment gaps and to replace old equipment. It’s absolutely clear that the defense budget needs to be increased by 20 to 30 billion a year.” This would be the only way to finance the army’s costs, which are rising due to inflation. In 2022, VINCORION was able to hire 79 new employees in Wedel, and will continue hiring this year. The company is also expanding its workforce at the Altenstadt site in Bavaria. “Finding skilled workers for the industry is not easy, however, not in Wedel and not at any of our other sites,” Stenzel noted.
Cutting-Edge Technology Manufactured in Wedel
Stenzel emphasized that SMEs also played a major role in technological development in Schleswig-Holstein. Addressing Madsen, who is also minister for technology, he said, “we design and manufacture hybrid systems for power generation at VINCORION.” This includes electronics and components such as the starter motor for the Leopard 2 tank or the motor that turns the vehicle’s turret. Weapon stabilization is cutting-edge technology that is manufactured here in Wedel. VINCORION is also working on technological solutions in the civilian sector, such as an innovative electronic rescue hoist being developed for its customer Airbus Helicopter, which meets the highest safety standards worldwide.
Climate change is playing a growing role not only in society as a whole, but also in the defense sector, VINCORION’s managing director explained to the minister during his visit. “We are working to make production processes at our company, corporate management, and also our products themselves more sustainable and carbon-efficient,” Stenzel said. The topic of “green defense” is becoming increasingly important, he noted, adding that “as a company, we stand fully behind the goal of reducing the carbon emissions generated by armies such as the Bundeswehr.”
Stefan Stenzel, Managing Director of VINCORION, welcomes Economics Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen in Wedel. (Photo: VINCORION)
The industry award for innovative production and logistics solutions was presented in Gerlingen near Stuttgart, and VINCORION received an award in the “Customer Focus” category. The benchmarking competition for “best practices” in the industry is supported by the German Logistics Association.
The award is presented each year by an independent jury of experts made up of former MX winners under the scientific direction of the Technical University of Berlin. It recognizes innovative production and logistics solutions. The aim of the award is to strengthen Germany as an industrial location by identifying best practices, promoting cross-industry collaboration, and creating a platform for exchange.
Technology company VINCORION specializes in power systems for safety-critical applications – including generators, electric motors and drives, gensets, power electronics, and hybrid power systems. Specific customer requirements are part and parcel of VINCORION’s daily business.
Products Have a Long Service Life
Whether in the air, on the rails, or in military use, solutions from VINCORION must be able to withstand extreme loads. The products are usually in use for several decades and must function reliably over a long product life cycle. As these are all highly regulated areas of application, compliance with a wide range of certifications, guidelines, and standards of quality is a basic prerequisite.
“Our customer focus is therefore based on several pillars: collaboration as partners, in-depth dialogue, and long-term service. To this end, we not only constantly monitor the market in order to meet our customers’ expectations as precisely as possible, but also make customer satisfaction measurable on the basis of specific key figures,” explains Dr. Stefan Stenzel, Managing Director of VINCORION.
Customer Satisfaction as a Measurable Metric
In order to make customer satisfaction comparable on the basis of key figures, VINCORION restructured the company. For this purpose, discussions were held with the nearly fifteen most important customers, in which they disclosed their needs and desires with respect to customer support. Based on this feedback, VINCORION developed new structures and processes. For example, each “top customer” was assigned a key account manager as a point of contact to handle all their concerns and develop a deeper understanding of the customer and their business.
Together, up to four metrics were defined to make customer satisfaction measurable: These include: 1) Adherence to deadlines: Will the product be delivered on time by the agreed upon date? 2) Adherence to ordered quantities: Will the agreed upon quantities be delivered? 3) Complaint rate: Did any errors occur within the warranty period? 4) Communication: Were potential deviations communicated to the customer at an early stage? Once a quarter, customers submit an evaluation of these criteria according to a points system. Finally, VINCORION’s self-assessment and the customer’s external assessment are compared.
Ideas for Product Advancements
VINCORION has been an established supplier for many years, such as for the hydraulic rescue hoist for the NH90 helicopter, which is used in alpine emergencies or rescue missions in flooded areas. In discussions and interviews with helicopter manufacturers and users, the team received ideas for ways to improve the existing product. On this basis, they are working on a new electric rescue hoist, the ERH premierv, which sets new standards in terms of performance, reliability, and safety.
The Leopard 2 is a good example of just how long VINCORION technologies have been in service – the very first units were deployed by the German Armed Forces at the turn of the year 1979/80, and the tank is still in service. VINCORION supplies the weapon aiming and stabilization system for the Leopard 2. In this context, the company uses easy-to-maintain assemblies and modular systems. In addition, the company considered and made the technical preparations needed to allow for further development right from the start.
Maintaining Technology Used for the Long Term
“We face the constant challenge of thinking ahead and developing new products. At the same time, we often have to maintain technology that has been in use for a long time and constantly adapt it to changing challenges,” emphasizes Dr. Stenzel. “The results of the MX Award benchmarking competition provide us with further valuable input in this regard, enabling us to leverage optimization potential at VINCORION and position ourselves for the future even better as a company.”
Registration for the MX Award for the year 2023 is open.
Klaus Lübbers (DIRKS Group), Dr. Manfred Jagiella (Endress+Hauser Gruppe), Marco Lienau (VINCORION), Marcus Golchert (VINCORION), Dr.-Ing. Daniel Roy (MX) und Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Wimmer (MX) are happy about the award (from right to left) (Photo: Marcus Krüger)
The technology company VINCORION, based in Wedel, Germany, plans to improve the power system in the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. As part of this, the power electronics are being reengineered and designed to be more robust with modern components.
“We consider the Puma to be the most powerful infantry fighting vehicle on the market,” says Dr. Stefan Stenzel, Managing Director of VINCORION – notwithstanding the latest debate about outages. He emphasizes: “We are investing in the future viability of the system and are therefore really getting behind it.” There is a consensus among experts that it makes sense to continuously increase the performance of the PUMA in order to meet the increased usage requirements.
Stefan Stenzel is also speaking in the context of the current meeting of the defense committee of the German parliament: it will meet on Wednesday, January 18, in Berlin. The debate about the current status of the PUMA is on the agenda.
The “superior effectiveness” of the vehicle was also confirmed by the German Federal Ministry of Defence – even if subsequent improvements are necessary in order for it to be fit for use. Stefan Stenzel is convinced that this is possible. “Of the 18 malfunctioning infantry fighting vehicles, 17 are in operation again. The system will function very successfully in the long term.”
Advanced functions are installed
In Wedel, the team is working to improve the power electronics of the PUMA – in an area that was not affected by the most recent outages. This involves components that are no longer available on the market being newly certified; in addition, advanced features are being incorporated such as the powering of an electric exhaust turbocharger and external charging of the infantry fighting vehicle.
To this end, the project team at VINCORION extensively exchanges information and ideas with the customer: on the list, for example is the evaluation of the current power system. By the end of the first quarter of 2023, the specifications for the systems and components should be fixed. Based on these, new components will then be transparently developed. The first components for functional models and prototypes will be procured from the end of 2023 onwards and rapidly assembled into modules.
VINCORION will work intensively on new technologies. The company will benefit from synergies with other future projects in the field of power systems. The project has an initial volume of eight million euros.
The vehicle with modular armor
The PUMA is the most powerful infantry fighting vehicle that is being supplied to the German Army. The vehicle, which has been produced since 2015, is one of the strongest infantry fighting vehicles in the world. It can transport nine people and, in protection class A, weighs 31 tons; in protection class C, 41 tons. The additional protection can be obtained by adding modular armor elements – which even makes the PUMA transportable in aircraft such as the A400M.
With its 1,090 hp engine, the vehicle can reach a speed of 70 kilometers per hour on the road. The weaponry consists of an automatic cannon, a 5.56 mm MG, and a grenade launcher. Compared to its predecessor, the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, the PUMA has an automatic cannon with a caliber of 30 mm (Marder, 20 mm), which adds stability and therefore means it can target more accurately. It is also set up in such a way that target recognition is separated from target combat, which is what happens with modern battle tanks.
The protection of major cities and settlements, energy plants, or infrastructure against threats from the air is the subject of controversial debate. Especially since the intensified Russian missile attacks on Ukraine, the question of what defense systems can do—and which ones are deployed in Germany—has become pressing. On the fringes of the meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, 14 European countries and Germany have just signed the “Letter of Intent” to establish a European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) for air defense—because Germany has some catching up to do in defending itself against threats from the air and space. The technology company VINCORION from Wedel near Hamburg, itself a supplier of power for defense systems, provides an overview.
These Systems Are in Use in NATO
“An effective protective shield consists of several systems that build on each other, are linked, and span like a dome,” explains Dr. Stefan Stenzel, managing director of VINCORION. The best-known defense system is “Patriot” from the manufacturer Raytheon, which has been on the market since the 1980s and is constantly being further developed. The current version is “Patriot PAC-3 MSE.” The Patriot guided missile can engage up to five targets simultaneously, such as ballistic missiles, which it hits directly. There are versions with different ranges available. As Patriot is continuously improved, it will be in service beyond 2040.
“Energy supply plays a major role in the modernization and adaptation to current defense scenarios, as more and more powerful components are being used,” says Stefan Stenzel. “This is the case, for example, in the design of new radars such as the LTAMDS radar, or in the formation of entire protective shields, which are also expected to grow further and be interconnectable via plug-and-fight functionality.” At the same time, he said, resource-saving components are also required, in terms of emissions, but also fuel consumption, and thus deployment costs.
Another system is the U.S. “THAAD” (“Terminal High Altitude Area Defense”), which is deployed at the medium range of around 200 kilometers, by the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates. This system can stop missiles in the final phase of their flight.
The new “IRIS-T SLM” system from Germany has been hitting the headlines, as a first example of this system has just been delivered to Ukraine. So far, it has only been deployed in a few countries; it is likely, that the German Bundeswehr will be supplied with it. But the missiles it works with are proven, being based on a development for the Eurofighter. “IRIS-T” can engage jets, helicopters, short-range missiles, drones, and guided missiles with a range of up to 40 kilometers.
For the outer part of the protective shields, which build up like domes, Germany plans to acquire the Israeli “Arrow 3” system, which can intercept long- and medium-range missiles. Development began with the “Arrow” in 1986 in Israel with U.S. participation. The new “Arrow 3” is considered to be very flexible; enemy missiles are to be destroyed by direct hits. The protective shield of the new “European Sky Shield Initiative” could consist of three systems: “IRIS-T”, “Patriot,” and “Arrow 3.”
France and Italy manufacture the “SAMP/T” system, which has been operational since 2002. The defense system can be equipped with different missiles, which reach a range between 30 kilometers[AG1] (“Aster 15”) and up to 120 kilometers (“Aster 30”). The missiles are smaller than those of the “Patriot” system.
The U.S. now supplies the “NASAMS” system to Ukraine, which is built in Norway and the U.S. It can be coupled with “Patriot”, which is intended for the longer ranges. Currently, the “NASAMS 3” system reaches a range of up to 50 kilometers. In Europe, this system is used as a protective shield, for example, by Lithuania and the Netherlands.
These Systems Also Exist
The Israeli industry is also a leader, producing “David’s Sling” (up to 160 kilometers) and the “Iron Dome” (up to 17 kilometers), for example, which are two very advanced defense systems. However, they are not supplied to Ukraine.
On the Russian side, the S-300 and S-400 systems are in use, whose hit rates have performed less well in NATO studies than the Patriot system. Ukraine has the S-300 and achieved intercept rates of up to 50 percent with it in recent missile attacks. It has a range of 75 to 100 kilometers.
In the meantime, Germany planned to develop another system, the “TVLS,” which was based on the “MEADS” project. In 2020, however, the Bundestag passed a resolution halting further development. Other countries that develop and manufacture protective shields are India and China, as well as Taiwan.
How Does a Modern Defense System Work?
A radar looks at the airspace over a given area. It can perform friend/foe detection, which is interpreted. All aircraft are detected, because it not only concerns airplanes, but also missiles and larger drones. If the radar detects enemy contact, the defensive missile is launched. In cooperation with the radar, the missile can also be retargeted until it finally hits the flying object and renders it harmless.
A secure energy supply is essential at all times: VINCORION supplies the energy for the radar system and Patriot’s missile launcher and IRIS-T’s launcher. “What makes it special is the system’s load profile,” explains Stefan Stenzel. Over the course of the mission, he says, there are always special loads for which energy must be provided. Hybrid systems can be significantly more efficient because they allow operation on the grid when a system is stationary. “The challenge is to always provide as much energy as is needed – also an important undertaking from an environmental perspective,” says Stefan Stenzel.
Patriot is transportable, but future systems will also be housed in containers. The modules will have a standard 20-foot transport interface to the carrier vehicle—making logistics easier and the units readily deployable.
“IRIS-T,” for example, consists of three parts: the radar system, command post and missile launcher mounted on trucks. Multiple systems can be coupled to form a more effective protective shield.
What Can Help Ukraine?
Indeed, the IRIS-T equipment seems to be very helpful for Ukraine in the war with Russia. Initially, the first “IRIS-T” has been delivered, and three more are to be added in the course of 2023. However, it is still unclear whether Ukraine will get a “Patriot” system. The Kyiv government has been promoting the delivery of such a system to the U.S.
One unit of the “NASAMS-3” system has been delivered from the U.S., with up to seven more to follow. Concerns about a missile shield falling into Russia’s hands may also play a role in some systems, according to some experts. So far, France and Italy have refused to deliver their systems. However, movement has come into play there: France wants to deliver a system in principle, but is still holding back on details.
However, the systems that will be delivered to Ukraine, be it “IRIS-T” or “NASAMS,” have yet to be produced. Resource-saving components are required for production and operation, not only in terms of emissions, but also in terms of fuel consumption and operating costs. VINCORION benefits from its experience with mobile, hybrid power supply units, such as those it will supply to the German armed forces in the new power generation units SEA.
VINCORION, a technology company based in Wedel, near Hamburg, Germany, is pleased to announce an important achievement in the development of new power storage systems in Europe: the European Union will support the NOMAD project with a grant worth millions of euros. The project has been awarded a total of about 20 million euros under the European Defence Fund (EDF) for the development of innovative power storage systems. Of this amount, 1.7 million euros from the EU as well as the German Ministry of Defense will go to VINCORION; which is the equivalent of a nearly 100 percent funding quota.
The project, which is being carried out by a consortium of European companies, will launch in 2024 and run for four years. The new power storage units will be used in military installations, operating bases, and camps, among other locations. “What’s particularly exciting for us is that significant parts of the integration and testing process will take place at VINCORION,” said Stefan Stenzel, Managing Director of VINCORION. This will give the company further progress in the latest storage technologies. In addition, this call for tenders will create the opportunity to participate in other EU funding programs aimed at advancing the development of advanced, hybrid, and tactical power supply systems.
Tailored Power Solutions for the Defense Industry
VINCORION manufactures a range of power systems for the defense sector, which are designed to meet massive power demands and can do so efficiently, with minimal fuel requirements, and in a flexible manner. The company also offers a range of power management systems and converters for military applications.
Working Together across Europe to Increase Safety
VINCORION is particularly pleased that the company’s new funding strategy is proving successful, as the project was already accepted in the first round of the European Defence Fund. The acronym NOMAD stands for “NOvel Power Storage Technologies Usable at MilitAry Deployments in Forward Operating Bases.” The new technologies will be designed jointly by European industry and think tank partners and subsequently also tested in realistic scenarios.
NOMAD is truly a European project – in addition to VINCORION, other companies from Germany, and companies from Spain, France, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece, Estonia, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Norway are involved. NOMAD contributes also to the EU subsidy program “Energy Operational Function” within the framework of the cooperation “PESCO,” which aims to strengthen member states’ collaboration in defense policy.
The European Union’s EDF program, which was unveiled in 2017, supports defense-related projects. It ranges from the creation of new energy and environmental systems to the next generation of fighter aircraft, tanks, and ships to defense technologies such as military clouds, cyberspace, or medical countermeasures. In addition, EDF aims to advance the development of cutting-edge technologies, particularly in the fields of quantum technology and new materials, and to support the cross-border co-operation of small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups.