US Military Trucks Could Gain Onboard Power for Directed-Energy and Counter-Drone Systems — Oshkosh Defense and Michigan Tech’s APS LABS are developing a truck-mounted electricity-generation kit to support power-intensive military equipment in the field. Known as the Vehicle Integrated Power Kit, the system is designed to deliver as much as 120 kW at 600 volts DC and is being prepared for integration with the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles A2. Potential applications include electronic counter-drone systems, directed-energy weapons, missile defences and mobile command facilities. Development will involve four prototypes, with the first two undergoing validation and government and soldier evaluations before two additional units are built for further demonstrations. Oshkosh will contribute manufacturing and vehicle-integration expertise, while APS LABS provides research support. The system is designed to reduce dependence on external generators and meet the Tactical Microgrid Standard for compatibility with other field-power equipment.
