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The Special Forces Stealth Truck
US Special Forces could be getting a truck that's fuelled to run silently.
The hydrogen fuel cell truck was unveiled by General Motors (GM) at this year's AUSA, an annual meeting for the US Army.
The US Army will test the Colorado ZH2 in extreme field conditions next year to determine the viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles on military missions.
They will be looking for whether or not the truck has near-silent operation, enabling silent watch capability, reduced thermal signatures and low fuel consumption.
Whether or not the water it produces as a by-product could have field uses is also being looked into.
According to the Defense One website, the special forces are also interested in whether or not the ZH2 could help them with getting into position on the battlefield quietly, such as in reconnaissance, surveillance, or target acquisition tasks.
The ZH2 also features an Exportable Power Take-Off unit (EPTO) that allows the fuel cell to be used to power activity located outside of the vehicle, which could potentially be used in remote locations where electric power may otherwise be unavailable.
GM and the US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) collaborated to develop the Colorado ZH2 from contract to concept in less than a year.
Standing more than 6½ feet tall and more than seven feet wide, it's reinforced inside and out and rides on 37-inch tires.
A specially-modified suspension helps the vehicle climb over and descend different types of terrain.
The Colorado ZH2 contract is GM’s second vehicle development with a US military branch announced this year.
In June, the Navy unveiled a GM fuel cell-powered Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) that is currently in pool testing before eventual deployment.
The UUV uses fuel cell technology in the same way as the ZH2, allowing it to power a range of mobile and stationary devices.
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