SAN DIEGO, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Achates Power,
Inc., the developer of radically improved internal combustion
engines that increase fuel efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and cost less than conventional engines, today announced
it has been awarded a $14 million
project by the National Advanced Mobility Consortium to support
research and development work of the U.S. Army Tank Automotive
Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). The project
is the Single Cylinder Advanced Combat Engine Technology
Demonstrator, part of the Army's 30 year strategy to modernize
tactical and combat vehicles.
"This award builds upon 10 years of extensive development by
Achates Power to modernize and optimize the opposed-piston engine,"
said David Johnson, CEO, Achates
Power. "With Cummins as our partner on the Single Cylinder Advanced
Combat Engine Technology Demonstrator program, we have the
opportunity to combine Cummins' strengths in diesel engine
leadership with our strengths in opposed-piston engine technology
to deliver a superior engine for combat and tactical vehicles for
the U.S. Army."
Achates has partnered with Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) for this new chapter of
modernizing the Army's combat vehicles. Together, their
technologies will be used to further refine the opposed-piston
engine for lower heat rejection, greater fuel efficiency, increased
power density and the ability to operate on various fuels. The end
goal is to deliver a product that improves the mobility and
performance of combat vehicles.
"Achates Power has realized the potential for impressive
efficiency in their development of the opposed piston architecture.
We have worked with Achates Power for a number of years now and
applaud their engineers and engineering rigor, and we look forward
to continuing our collaboration," said Dr. John Wall, chief technical officer, Cummins Inc.
"This contract acknowledges the U.S. Army recognizes the special
value of this engine design in their application and Achates
Power's ability to optimize it."
In order to create a technology foundation for the Future
Fighting Vehicle, the U.S. Army has been focused on the development
of a modular and scalable advanced combat engine capable of very
low heat rejection, increased fuel economy, excellent durability,
and outstanding overall propulsion system power and density.
When speaking about the Single Cylinder Advanced Combat Engine
Technology Demonstrator, professor of Mechanical Engineering at
Wayne State University College of
Engineering, Dr. Walter Bryzik,
notes, "Three features are critically important for combat
vehicles: low heat rejection to coolant, high power density, and
high efficiency. The opposed-piston engine architecture –
particularly with the advances from Achates Power – has strengths
in all three areas."
With this new contract, Achates has six concurrent customers
whose contracts encompass five different engine applications:
passenger vehicle, light commercial vehicle, heavy commercial
vehicle, military and marine/stationary power. Achates Power's
engine allows OEMs to achieve the world's most stringent current
and future fuel efficiency and emissions standards, which include
EPA 2010, Euro 6 and Tier
3/LEV 3, among others, without
additional cost or complexity.
About Achates Power, Inc.
Achates Power, Inc. has
developed radically improved internal combustion engines that
increase fuel efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are
lower cost. Founded in 2004 with the mission to build cleaner, more
efficient engines, the San
Diego-based company has an experienced staff of engineers
and scientists focused on applying their proven technical know-how
and expertise, coupled with the industry's leading-edge testing,
simulation and analysis tools. It is backed by top private equity
firms Sequoia Capital Partners, RockPort Capital Partners, Madrone
Capital Partners, InterWest Partners and Triangle Peak Partners.
For more information, visit www.achatespower.com,
www.facebook.com/AchatesPowerInc, www.twitter.com/achatespower and
www.youtube.com/achatespowerinc.
About Cummins Inc.
Cummins Inc., a global power
leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that
design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and natural gas
engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls,
air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power
generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, (USA) Cummins currently employs
approximately 54,600 people worldwide and serves customers in
approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of
approximately 600 company-owned and independent distributor
locations and approximately 7,200 dealer locations. Cummins
earned $1.65 billion on sales of $19.2
billion in 2014. Press releases can be found on the Web at
www.cummins.com. Follow Cummins on Twitter at @Cummins and on
YouTube at Cummins Inc.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/achates-power-wins-14-million-military-engine-project-300057973.html
SOURCE Achates Power