A £3m contract has been awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence to demonstrate hybrid electric-drive systems on its Foxhound and Jackal vehicles.

Coventry-based NP Aerospace has secured the contract, with the project being delivered in collaboration with Sheffield-based Magtec, General Dynamics and Supacat.

The work forms part of the Protected Mobility Engineering & Technical Support (PMETS) programme which is being led by NP Aerospace as the Engineering Authority for the vehicle fleet.

General Dynamics Land Systems–UK and Supacat are the partner vehicle OEMs, and Magtec is the electric drive and battery technology partner.

Developed by Magtec, the hybrid electric e-drive solution for Foxhound and Jackal is intended to deliver multiple technical and operational enhancements.

This is the first time that this type of technology system has been applied to vehicles covered under the PMETS programme.

The production of demonstrator vehicles will enable the MoD to analyse the operational impact of new technical capabilities.

David Petheram, chief operating officer, NP Aerospace, said: “The PMETS programme delivers safety, efficiency and innovation activities across a variety of vehicle platforms, via a collaborative approach.

“The hybrid electric drive project is a significant development that will further extend the technical capabilities of the vehicles and is an important advancement in the incorporation of new technology.

“It will provide a greater understanding of what hybrid technology could achieve, whilst also looking to the future in terms of integrating additional sophisticated electronics across the PMETS vehicle fleet.”

Andrew Gilligan, managing director, Magtec, said: “Magtec is a UK leader in the design and manufacture of electric vehicle drive systems and is proud to be supporting the British Army in the development of new technology to protect British troops when they are on the move.

“Magtec has a strong track record in delivering drive systems for the most demanding applications.

“We are creating high-quality engineering jobs in the North of England and strengthening the UK’s position at the forefront of the global transport sector.”