DIU Taps GM Defense to Develop Battery Pack Prototype to Support DOD Platform Testing

The Defense Innovation Unit has awarded GM Defense a contract to build a battery pack prototype that will be used to power Department of Defense tactical military vehicles during testing and analysis. GM Defense will base the product on its Ultium electric vehicle advanced battery technology. Ultium, a combined electric vehicle battery architecture and propulsion system, uses different chemistries and cell form factors to support the changing needs of customers and their technologies, GM Defense said.

According to the company, the modular and scalable platform can provide power, range and scale to previous GM hybrid or extended range EV technology.

“GM Defense offers a unique advantage with our ability to leverage proven commercial capabilities and the billions in GM investments in electric vehicle and autonomous vehicle technologies in order to help provide our customers with the most advanced capabilities the commercial market can offer,” said Stephen duMont, president of GM Defense. “This award is a critical enabler for non-traditional defense businesses like GM Defense to deliver commercial technologies that support our customers’ transition to a more electric, autonomous and connected future.”

GM Defense won the contract after securing an award from the U.S. Army, through which the company will deliver a GMC Hummer EV pickup truck for analysis and demonstration. Under the contract, GM Defense will help the military branch meet a requirement to deploy a light- to heavy-duty battery EV to lessen the use of fossil fuels in its operations.

Sonia Taylor, GM Defense spokeswoman, believes the sale is one of the steps that will advance the transition of defense and government partners to an EV future.