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Technology

The Biggest Strengths And Weaknesses Of America’s MRAP

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While fight automobiles are decisive and important to many floor operations, troops are irreplaceable. Because of this, the MRAP’s design favored crew survivability over automobile sustainment, and it labored effectively. The v-shaped hull and excessive heart of gravity make most explosives incapable of penetrating the armor. The hull’s design deflects explosive vitality away from the cabin, whereas the thick armor stops most direct-fire assaults, making certain crew survivability a lot of the time.

A 2011 Congressional Research Service study discovered that MRAPs had a casualty charge of 6%, whereas HMMWVs had a considerably increased charge of twenty-two%, making the MRAP extra survivable. Additionally, the MRAP’s ambush protections noticed fatalities from roadside assaults at 15%. In comparability, HMMWV occupants died at a charge of 80%, making the MRAP’s protecting incorporates a clear-cut success. Of course, personnel safety is not the one perform an MRAP supplies. It’s extremely versatile and able to performing many operations.

MRAPs have gun mounts for varied weapons, together with a .50 caliber machine gun and the M240B machine gun. They additionally serve quite a few features along with troop transport, together with working as ambulances, supporting fight engineer actions, mine detection and removing, and explosive ordinance disposal. As they remained within the struggle, the MRAP acquired upgrades and enhancements.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Group expands its sustainable mobility business for additional profit

The Volkswagen Group is making significant progress in its four technology platforms and is venturing into new profit opportunities as it transitions from being a traditional automaker to an integrated mobility provider. At the IAA Mobility press conference, CEO Oliver Blume stated that the company is exceeding its targets and achieving important milestones in its transformation journey. The Group is committed to its ten-point plan, which outlines the key areas for its transformation. The plan focuses on architecture, battery & charging, software, and mobility. The Group has made substantial advancements in each of these areas, which it is showcasing at IAA Mobility.

Architecture: Leveraging the Group’s expertise

Architecture is a crucial part of the Volkswagen Group’s DNA and gives it a competitive advantage. The Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB) has already produced around 45 million vehicles since 2012. With the introduction of the Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB), the Group was one of the first to adopt a platform strategy for electric vehicles (EVs). Over 1.1 million fully electric vehicles from five Group brands have been delivered on the MEB platform. The Group continues to improve the MEB platform, introducing enhanced models such as the Volkswagen ID.7, which offers a range of up to 700 kilometers. In 2025, the Group plans to launch the MEB+ platform with further improvements in range and efficiency. New all-electric models from Volkswagen, SKODA, and CUPRA will also make e-mobility more accessible to customers with prices below 25,000 Euro.

Additionally, the Group is developing its second electric platform, the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), in collaboration with Audi and Porsche. PPE will feature a powerful electric drivetrain with a range of over 600 kilometers, innovative battery and charging management, and advanced electronics architecture and software developed by CARIAD. The Audi Q6 e-tron will be the first vehicle on the PPE platform, equipped with features like augmented reality displays and a passenger display.

In the medium term, the Group plans to switch to the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) as its single future backbone for electric and electronic architecture. The SSP will provide standardization, scalability, and cost savings, with more than 40 million vehicles across all brands and segments built on this platform.

Battery & charging: Driving affordability and profitability

The Volkswagen Group is integrating battery cell development and production with PowerCo, ensuring a significant portion of the value chain for electric vehicles remains within the company. Low battery costs are essential for making e-mobility affordable. The Group aims to reduce battery costs by up to 50 percent compared to the first generation MEB by leveraging the unified cell, standardized cell factory, and innovations such as dry coating and low-cost cell chemistry without cobalt and nickel. These advancements will make e-mobility accessible to a broader range of consumers.

Software: Enhancing user experience

The Group is actively expanding its software expertise to become a leader in user experience. It focuses on three core elements: focused development, strategic partnerships, and efficient licensing. The Audi Q6 e-tron at IAA Mobility gives a preview of the new E³ 1.2 software generation. For the future E³ 2.0 software architecture, CARIAD will streamline the development process by optimizing project organization and reducing complexity. The Software Defined Vehicle Hub (SDV) will be launched to facilitate the software-centric development of vehicles by employees from CARIAD, Volkswagen, and Audi.

Mobility solutions: Investment in sustainable micromobility

The Group is expanding its mobility offerings by investing in Bike Mobility Services (BMS), a subsidiary of Pon, which is the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer. The Group aims to grow its bike leasing business globally, particularly in Europe and the USA, by capitalizing on the trend toward sustainable micromobility. The Group is also partnering with Europcar to establish a new mobility platform that will cover various mobility needs, including car-sharing and third-party services like e-scooters and public transportation.

The Volkswagen Group is committed to its transformation journey and continues to develop innovative and sustainable mobility solutions. By focusing on architecture, battery & charging, software, and mobility, the Group aims to tap into new profit pools and become a leader in the evolving mobility industry.

IAA Mobility 2023

For more information on the Volkswagen Group’s latest updates and announcements, please visit the official IAA Mobility 2023 website.