MTU receives $16.9M Army contract

For development of on-board mobile energy systems

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Technological University’s Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APS LABS) has secured a federal contract extension from the U.S. Army to develop a high-capacity mobile electrical power system for tactical military vehicles, according to an article published on the university's news page.

The 18-month extension lengthens the project timeline to three years and increases the total project value to $16.9 million. To move the technology from the laboratory to the assembly line, university researchers are partnering with Wisconsin-based vehicle manufacturer Oshkosh Defense.

Established as a specialized off-campus research facility on the Houghton waterfront, APS LABS operates as a dedicated laboratory complex where university engineers, technicians, and students test high-output engine blocks, advanced powertrain systems, and heavy-duty industrial machinery.

An October 14 statement from Oshkosh Defense indicates the collaboration brings together the university's advanced research capabilities with the company’s production systems to transition the initial prototype design toward scalable military applications [Oshkosh Defense Partners with Michigan Technological …]. Founded in 1917, Oshkosh Defense is a major domestic military supplier that manufactures the bulk of the U.S. military's active tactical truck fleet. As the original equipment manufacturer for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV A2) platform, the company is tasked with integrating MTU’s upcoming electrical systems directly onto the transport units.

The project, titled “Mobile Energy Generation for Austerity -- Vehicle Integrated Power Kit,” focuses on mounting heavy-duty electrical generation components directly onto the military’s standard transport platform, says Mich. Tech's news page.

The company's statement notes that the on-vehicle kit is engineered to generate a massive 120 kilowatts of electricity at 600 volts of direct current.

Instead of relying on towed trailers or separate, stationary generators that can slow down troop movements, the onboard kit allows tactical vehicles to generate their own power while in motion, says Oshkosh Defense. The high-voltage electrical output will supply mobile energy to run high-demand front-line assets, including field hospitals, command centers, and tactical radar networks.

Engineering teams in Houghton are currently scheduled to assemble and validate the initial functional prototypes for immediate government assessment and active-duty soldier evaluations. Following those initial trials, APS LABS personnel will construct additional units for manufacturing refinements and ongoing technology demonstrations.