GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors Co. in Detroit, was selected by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to build a prototype of an energy storage unit.
GM Defense’s solution must meet the requirements of DIU’s Stable Tactical Expeditionary Electric Power (STEEP) program, which seeks to support tactical microgrid and energy management capabilities in remote and difficult locations.
The goal is to reduce logistical requirements and the reliance on fossil fuels as the primary energy source across the DoD.
GM Defense’s plan is to use GM’s electric vehicle propulsion architecture, the Ultium Platform, to deliver a scalable and adaptable energy storage unit that supports the tactical energy requirements of the warfighter.
The prototype system is engineered to provide uninterruptable and sustainable power for mission critical equipment, such as command and control, communications, radar, and weapons systems in remote areas or where a stable power grid is absent.
GM Defense’s STEEP energy storage system is designed to provide tactical microgrid capabilities that work with hydrogen-powered generators, stationary, and mobile battery electric power, or existing fuel-powered generators to support efficient power management and distribution.
“This contract award demonstrates our ability to leverage advanced commercial technologies and investments from our parent company, GM, to reduce warfighter fuel consumption, and lower acoustic and thermal signatures, while providing efficient energy at the tactical edge,” says Steve duMont, president of GM Defense.
“We are proud to win another contract award with DIU, whose mission to accelerate the adoption of commercial technology across the U.S. military aligns with our efforts to transition global defense and government customers to a more electric, autonomous and connected future.”
GM Defense won its first contract award from DIU in the fall of 2022 to provide a prototyping battery system based on GM’s Ultium Platform in support of the Jumpstart for Advanced Battery Standardization (JABS) project.
Since winning the JABS award, GM Defense has expanded its work under the contract to include the integration of the high-voltage battery pack into the business’ Multi-Mission and Logistics vehicle. JABS is designed to help standardize battery modules across the DoD and pave the way for future battery advancements to be integrated and adopted within military platforms.
GM Defense will next build upon the additional test phases in the JABS program and the start of STEEP as the division continues to invest in battery electric capabilities in support of DIU programs. If successful, STEEP will transition to a U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) program and will serve as GM Defense’s first program with the USMC since relaunching the business in 2017.
As part of its growth, GM Defense will be incorporating GM Defense Canada to be in alignment with GM Defense International, which was established in 2022.
As GM Defense expands and pursues additional international programs, the formation of GM Defense Canada is meant to strengthen the business’ ability to support efforts to modernize the Canadian Armed Forces.
“The new entity strengthens our ability to develop solutions in Canada as we pursue important near-term opportunities, such as the Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) and Light Forces Enhancement programs,” says duMont. “We will continue to leverage General Motors’ advanced commercial technology, engineering resources and investments in Canada that help our global defense and government customers transition to a more electric, autonomous and connected future.”
As new international growth efforts emerge, GM Defense may incorporate additional entities in other countries. Focus areas for the business currently remain in North America, across Europe, Indo Pacific, and throughout the Middle East.
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