STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. - A hybrid electric drive vehicle is back home in Michigan after completing a three-day, 1000-mile demonstration of extended range operations. The V-22- transportable RST-V(Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Targeting Vehicle) is one of four being developed by General Dynamics Land Systems under joint sponsorship of DARPA and the U S Marine Corps/Office of Naval Research. The 4 x 4 vehicle successfully handled sustained highway speeds, mountain passes, rain, snow, and rough construction zones from Ft. Benning, Georgia, to Muskegon, Michigan. Data collected and lessons learned during the drive will be applied to improve the vehicle's final configuration. General Dynamics Land Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD).

RST-V has an in-hub hybrid-electric drive that allows operations at double the range or twice the time on station available with other systems. It has demonstrated maximum road speeds of 70 miles per hour, and significant speeds over cross-country terrain. The hybrid drive provides a silent operation range, on batteries alone, of 20 miles. The hybrid power system provides up to 60 kW of auxiliary power -- simplifying battlefield logistics by eliminating the need for towed generators. The in-hub wheel drive approach is adaptable to a variety of vehicles and missions, promoting commonality of components between fleets. Modular designs of 6x6 and 8x8 diesel- electric and hybrid electric vehicles can be produced utilizing the same hardware.

The RST-V can be equipped in a range of mission variants -- including a forward observer/forward air control vehicle, reconnaissance, a light strike vehicle, battlefield ambulance, air defense, logistics vehicle, personnel carrier, anti-armor, mortar weapons carrier, command post variant, and mobile 60 kW generator. The vehicle incorporates technological advancements in the areas of integrated survivability techniques and advanced suspension. It also hosts integrated precision geo location, communication and Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Targeting sensor subsystems.

The RST-V program is carrying advanced vehicle architecture, in-hub electric drive, hybrid power systems, advanced mobility design, and survivability technologies forward for application to the US Army's Future Combat Systems and the US Marine Corps' Expeditionary Family of Fighting Vehicle (MEFFV).

Several of the RST-V vehicles are being outfitted and tested under off-road conditions in preparation for mission profile testing by March 2003. At the end of the technology demonstration program in 2003, the system will be ready to enter the System Design and Development (SDD) phase of acquisition, subject to service interest. The vehicle can be transported in roll on/roll off mode in a CH-53, CH-47 helicopter, V-22 tiltrotor and C-130 Hercules.

General Dynamics Land Systems is the prime contractor. General Dynamics Land Systems Muskegon Technical Center based in Muskegon, Michigan is responsible for the vehicle design. The Land Systems Tallahassee Operations facility in Florida is responsible for C4 integration. The main subcontractors include Magnet Motor GmbH, based in Germany, which is responsible for the electric drives and controls, General Dynamics - Canada, responsible for integration of the reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting systems and Signature Research which is carrying out the survivability subsystems integration.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 54,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2002 revenues of approximately $14 billion. The company has leading market positions in land and amphibious combat systems, mission-critical information systems and technologies, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation. More information about the company can be found on the World Wide Web at www.generaldynamics.com
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