The US Army’s push toward higher-powered and more energy-efficient combat vehicles has taken another step forward with GE Aerospace qualifying two advanced power electronics systems for military ground vehicles.
The company’s High-Voltage Power Controller (HVPC) and Unidirectional Converter (UDC) have completed qualification testing, clearing the way for production and eventual integration into military ground vehicles.
Initial production is scheduled to begin in 2026, with deliveries to the army expected the following year.
Developed in collaboration with the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center, the systems support a transition from legacy 28-volt electrical systems to a 600-volt architecture.
US Army officials and industry partners have increasingly focused on higher-voltage designs as military vehicles are required to power more advanced onboard technologies without sacrificing performance.
The HVPC and UDC form part of a broader effort to improve how combat vehicles generate, distribute, and manage electrical power.
Higher-voltage systems can reduce energy losses during transmission, improve charging efficiency, and support future capabilities that demand substantially more electricity, including electronic warfare equipment, advanced communications systems, and directed-energy weapons.
Higher-Voltage Vehicle Architectures
At the core of the systems is silicon carbide semiconductor technology, which handles higher voltages and temperatures more efficiently than conventional silicon, enabling more compact and lighter power electronics while improving overall energy management.
Army officials view increased electrical capacity as a key requirement for next-generation ground vehicles, particularly as the service explores hybrid-electric propulsion concepts and seeks to accommodate a growing number of power-intensive mission systems.
Jason Spina, a power systems architect within DEVCOM’s Ground Vehicle Power and Mobility team, said the qualification of the 600-volt systems represents an important step toward fielding higher-power vehicle architectures across the army’s combat vehicle fleet.
GE Aerospace Research is continuing work on silicon carbide technologies for defense and commercial applications.
