At first glance fuel economy wouldn't seem to be a big issue for the U.S. armed forces, after all, if the price of fuel goes up, the armed forces don't have to worry about the bill. But in fact, fuel is a critic issue due to the fact that as Amory Lovins points out, about half the armed forces' money and around a third of their people are involved in logistics. And of that, 70 percent of the tonnage they move is fuel. Even a small increase in fuel economy can result in a big difference to the number of supply line convoys coming under fire.

The shadow diesel engine powers a 110kW permanent magnet generator that drives four wheel mounted 50kW permanent magnetic hub motors. The power generation system also includes twin SAFT Li-Ion battery packs with total rated output of 20kW hours and a peak power output of 80kW. In stealth mode the Shadow can be powered solely by the battery which provides a significant reduction in acoustic and thermal signatures.

Hitting fuel depots has always been a critical tactic in war, so needing less fuel will always make an army more mobile and less vulnerable.

Does this mean that our military is carrying mobile renewable energy sources to recharge these vehicles? Could they possibly tow one of these new fusion reactors, that are supposedly only the size of a two car garage?

I know the military has been developing hybrid vehicles, with the intent to replace the diesel range extenders with fuel cells in the future.

It must be intended for urban combat and patrol duties like in Iraq. It seems way too low to the ground for off road use. It's good news though. It's the kind of thinking the 21st military is going to need. This technology will soon trickle down to us just as we have benefited from all kinds of great military tech over the decades.:cool: