VINCORION offers hybrid energy systems for modern air defense

Energy for the command post, the radar system, right through to the "launcher", the fire unit - this is the range of energy supplies that VINCORION manufactures for air defense. The technology company focuses on military energy and propulsion systems. These include state-of-the-art aggregates and interconnected systems, hybrid energy systems, and storage and power electronics. But also the weapon stabilization and the energy supply in battle tanks like the LEOPARD 2 and armored personnel carriers like the PUMA come from the production of the company in Wedel, Altenstadt and Essen.

Over 1500 energy systems have been delivered for various air defense systems so far - the first in the 80s for Patriot systems in the USA, Germany and numerous other user countries, up to the new IRIS-T systems, which were delivered to Ukraine in 2022. For more than 30 years, VINCORION has been ensuring a secure energy supply so that enemy flying objects such as airplanes, helicopters, rockets and drones can be intercepted before they reach their destination.

"VINCORION's hybrid technology combines advantages in terms of tactics, user-friendliness and economy," summarizes Daniel Zeitler, Director of Product Management at VINCORION. This is because fuel consumption is lower, which reduces dependence on fuel procurement. Above all, however, the deployment of personnel can be reduced. Zeitler explains: "A third fewer refueling processes also means that up to 50 percent of the personnel previously required for operations can be deployed elsewhere, for example for higher-quality work." This also means more security: the soldiers can no longer be targeted by the enemy fall.

Added to this is the reduction in noise pollution: Hybrid energy systems are quieter than conventional systems, which can be particularly advantageous in military operations where stealth is important.

A conventional diesel unit used to power a Patriot unit uses 3.37 liters of fuel per hour, Zeitler explains. With a modern hybrid diesel engine, on the other hand, consumption drops to 1.78 liters per hour. 72 refueling processes per day can become 24 refueling processes - this underlines the impressive progress in the units. Despite the use of modern and efficient diesel engines that comply with strict emission standards, with low emissions, the energy systems from VINCORION meet the full "NATO Single Fuel" capability and the highest demands on military deployment requirements. "The technologies we use in modern energy systems help to reduce large amounts of CO₂to save,” says Zeitler. An older Patriot system emits approximately 8 million tons of CO in a year₂if you count on a high operational readiness of around 2000 hours. These emissions can be reduced by 33 percent to around 5 million tons. The emission of nitrogen oxides is also significantly reduced, depending on the performance class, savings of between 40 and 60 percent are possible.

In addition to the low fuel consumption, the reduced refueling processes and the more climate-friendly emissions, there are other advantages: The operational readiness increases because the maintenance intervals of the units can be reduced. "Hybrid energy systems have a longer service life than conventional systems because they are less susceptible to wear and tear," says Zeitler. “We have successfully tested this in Germany and the USA. Existing systems can also be converted one-to-one to the new energy supply.” This applies not only to the aggregate of the launcher unit, but also to the energy supply of the radar.

VINCORION is well prepared for the megatrends of decarbonization, digitization and decentralization, as Daniel Zeitler explains: "We offer Green Defense solutions to reduce the environmental impact of military activities, such as energy consumption and CO₂footprint.” VINCORION thus offers highly efficient energy systems for the modernization of air defense that combine all the advantages of modern diesel and hybrid technology. However, VINCORION is already developing similarly modern energy systems for other military applications, such as the new generation of tactical units for the German armed forces. The generation after next will then bring further advantages for air defense, such as the reliable supply of energy for the "High Power Radar LTAMDS" or highly innovative laser systems.

Contact:
Daniel Zeitler
security and defense
defense@vincorion.com