VINCORION Generators: Increasingly Demanding Requirements on the Battlefield Require Innovative Power Generation Solutions.

A boxer is on a mission somewhere in Europe, maneuvering in a complex situation – the crew has to react quickly and is dependent on its high-tech systems. Target acquisition sensors, for example, detect enemy positions, encrypted communication systems maintain contact with the command post, and effective weapon systems deliver the necessary firepower. But all this requires energy – and the demands are growing rapidly. Modern military vehicles are “power plants on wheels,” and a reliable power supply is becoming a critical factor for mission success.

When it comes to military power supplies, VINCORION plays a vital role. With its generators, the technology company headquartered in Wedel, near Hamburg, Germany, offers solutions for use in military vehicles. They provide a reliable supply of power, even under extreme conditions. The company’s generators can be found, for example, in vehicles such as the Leopard 2 main battle tank, the Boxer, the Puma, and the Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer.

Power for the Infantry Mother Ship

These generators are in demand – VINCORION recently signed a contract to supply 740 EPG husky W 600 onboard generators for the Boxer. This generator supplies up to 600 amps of power, making it ready for future requirements as well. A new digital voltage regulator has been incorporated, enabling the generator to be adapted to different applications.

In the German army, the GTK Boxer is the “mother ship” of the infantry, and is available to the German armed forces in various versions as a group transport vehicle, command vehicle, heavy armored ambulance, and also as a driving school vehicle. The Boxer’s fighting compartment can carry eight infantrymen along with the latest equipment.

13395 13395Filmbildfabrik / Shutterstock GTK Boxer, “the infantry mother ship”

Compact, Powerful, and Rugged: VINCORION Generators in Detail

VINCORION’s EPG husky series stands out thanks to its compact design and high power density. It delivers maximum performance with a small footprint, which is crucial in light of the limited space available in military vehicles.  At the same time, reliability is always the top priority for the company’s engineers – VINCORION generators are designed to operate under extreme conditions, regardless of whether that means heat, cold, dust, or vibrations.

“The new, more powerful Boxer is a prime example of the increasing demands on the power supply in modern military vehicles,” reports Daniel Zeitler, Head of Product Management. The Boxer is currently used by many countries in Europe and beyond. In addition to the German armed forces, the vehicle is also deployed in the Netherlands, Lithuania, Great Britain, and Australia.

VINCORION’s generators provide the power required for the Boxer’s sophisticated systems, ensuring that the weapon technology, sensor technology, and communication systems remain fully operational. VINCORION can now offer generators with up to 1,000 amps in the conventional 28V range, which can be retrofitted in various vehicles. After all, experts know that the energy demand in armored vehicles will continue to increase. The best example of this is the power-hungry PUMA infantry fighting vehicle, which can only be operated using a high-voltage generator. In contrast to conventional onboard generators, this is integrated directly into the main shaft between the engine and transmission. This high-performance power supply system is also from VINCORION.

Innovative Technologies for Maximum Efficiency

But what makes the 28V generators in the EPG husky series so special?  On the one hand, they feature innovative cooling technology that enables a high power density in the smallest of spaces, as Daniel Zeitler explains. On the other hand, the generators are specifically designed to emit an extremely small amount of electromagnetic interference to ensure the functionality of other electronic systems in the vehicle. Their ruggedness and reliability are ensured through the use of high-quality materials and strict quality control procedures.

“The new generator is ‘plug-and-play’ with the old one,” says Zeitler, ”it precisely fits into the existing installation space in the vehicles.” This means that, in addition to all new vehicles, existing Boxers could also be equipped with them when the demand for power increases. The predecessor model, the SF 217, was able to deliver 370 amps, and this has been increased to 600 amps in the new version. “Modern military technology requires power. We are specialists in the field of military power supplies.“

13395 13395Filmbildfabrik / Shutterstock Exhibits: the generators of the EPG husky series

Added Benefit for Deployed Troops

This means that the generators can also provide direct additional benefits for soldiers on missions.  A reliable power supply means reliable communication, improved situational awareness, and increased firepower – crucial factors for the safety and success of the mission. In addition, the generators help make the vehicle interior more comfortable by providing energy for air conditioning, lighting, and other comfort systems.

Whether for a light-duty armored personnel carrier or a heavy battle tank – VINCORION offers the right solution. The generators reliably supply electricity to power all onboard systems. “The generator is barely affected by changes in ambient temperature,” adds Zeitler. “In other words, it delivers peak performance at all times.”

Strict Standards and Flexibility

“The generators meet the strict MIL-STD standards, ensuring maximum reliability and safety in the field, explains Abbo Horstmann, Senior Product Manager. This means they comply with military standards regarding the quality of the onboard electrical system.

“The flexibility of VINCORION generators is also reflected in their numerous configuration options,” emphasizes Horstmann. In addition to the standard versions, VINCORION offers tailored solutions to optimally integrate the generators into the respective vehicle platforms. For example, a generator can be mechanically adapted via the anchor points – but beyond that, all the relevant parameters can also be customized via the software.

VINCORION has many years of experience and extensive expertise in developing and manufacturing generators for the defense industry. “The latest orders show us that 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 them to equip their vehicles,” Daniel Zeitler sums up.

The generators are just one example of VINCORION’s expertise in this field; the company also supplies generators that provide mobile power to the German military, power for air defense systems such as Patriot and IRIS-T, and advanced systems such as the GTD Chaser weapon stabilization system for armored vehicles.

Media Contact:
Florian Hanauer
PR-Manager
VINCORION Advanced Systems
Feldstraße 155
22880 Wedel
Tel. 04103 60 – 2250
Mail: florian.hanauer@vincorion.com

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.

Photos of VINCORIONS production facilities in Essen and Pictures of the generator EPG huskyV W 600:

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11737 11737VINCORION

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Media Contact:
Florian Hanauer
PR-Manager
VINCORION Advanced Systems GmbH
Feldstrasse 155
22880 Wedel, Germany
Tel. +49 4103 60-2250
Mail: florian.hanauer@vincorion.com