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The US Army is currently assessing the feasibility and defining the requirements of a Single Common Powertrain Lubricant (SCPL). This new lubricant would consist of an all-season (arctic to desert), fuel-efficient, multifunctional powertrain fluid with extended drain capabilities. As a developmental starting point, diesel engine testing has been conducted using the current MIL-PRF-46167D arctic engine oil at high temperature conditions representative of desert operation. Testing has been completed using three high density military engines: the General Engine Products 6.5L(T) engine, the Caterpillar C7, and the Detroit Diesel Series 60. Tests were conducted following two standard military testing cycles; the 210 hr Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Cycle, and the 400 hr NATO Hardware Endurance Cycle. Modifications were made to both testing procedures to more closely replicate the operation of the engine in desert-like conditions.

The US Army is currently seeking to reduce fuel consumption by utilizing fuel efficient lubricants in its ground vehicle fleet. An additional desire is for a lubricant which would consist of an all-season (arctic to desert), fuel efficient, multifunctional Single Common Powertrain Lubricant (SCPL) with extended drain capabilities. To quantify the fuel efficiency impact of a SCPL type fluid in the engine and transmission, current MIL-PRF-46167D arctic engine oil was used in place of MIL-PRF-2104G 15W-40 oil and SAE J1321 Fuel Consumption In-Service testing was conducted. Additionally, synthetic SAE 75W-140 gear oil was evaluated in the axles of the vehicles in place of an SAE J2360 80W-90 oil. The test vehicles used for the study were three M1083A1 5-Ton Cargo vehicles from the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV).

Bio-mass petroleum products are a reality. The U.S. Army has been involved in the development of biodegradable hydraulic products since the 1990s concentrating on industrial type hydraulic fluid, but will bio-based hydraulic fluids be able to stand the test of time? Executive Order 131011 endorses the use of bio-mass materials, to reduce dependence on natural resources, utilize renewable resources, and create a new outlet(s) for agricultural products. Even though military equipment is exempt from this executive order, the Fuels and Lubricants Technology Team (FLTT) is being responsive so that military equipment can utilize such a product without a sacrifice in performance. This paper identifies the chemical and physical properties exhibited by bio-based hydraulic fluids before and after four to five years in storage. It is expected that the bio-based hydraulic fluids will show signs of oxidation and degradation as a result of long-term storage.

Hydraulic systems are widely used in a variety of military applications including ground vehicles, aircraft, and weapon systems. The impact of corrosion on hydraulic systems and its components is well understood; however, the protection provided by different hydraulic fluids is not equal1. Review of military vehicle hydraulic systems has identified that the most common occurrences of critical corrosion are found in hoses, hose end fittings, actuator arms, pistons, cylinders, and rams1. To prevent corrosion in hydraulic systems, the U.S. Army has specified the use of hydraulic fluids with corrosion preventing and rust inhibiting characteristics for ground vehicles. Currently, the Army uses three different types of fluids in the hydraulic systems of military ground vehicles and equipment; MIL-PRF-46170, MIL-PRF-6083, and MIL-PRF-2104. To verify the corrosion protection performance of the fluids, the Fuels and Lubricants Technology Team (FLTT) of U.S.

U.S. military vehicles and equipment can be exposed to poor lubricity fuels. Lubricity-improving additives (LIA) are utilized to remedy fuel lubricity to satisfactory levels. The military is interested in developing an affordable and fast bench-top lubricity evaluator capable of measuring fuel lubricity and improvements provided by LIA in order to replace the expensive and time consuming Military Rotary Fuel Injection Pump Test Rig. Previous tests have shown that certain bench-top lubricity evaluators are sensitive to LIA and correlate well with the pump test rig but lack precision. In an effort to improve the viability of bench-top evaluators for measuring fluid lubricity, a parameter study was conducted to determine if modifications to the bench-top lubricity methodology, apparatus, and operating conditions would improve the sensitivity and precision.

The U.S. Army has been involved in the development of biodegradable hydraulic products since the 1990's. Such products concentrated primarily on industrial type hydraulic fluids. Current work is targeted at the development of biodegradable, bio-based hydraulic fluids that can be used in tactical/combat systems. This evaluation is being conducted in three phases. The first two phases have been completed which were laboratory evaluations wherein the fluids underwent laboratory testing by the Fuels and Lubricants Technology Team (FLTT) of the U. S. Army Tank - Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). A market survey was conducted which identified companies manufacturing biodegradable products from biomass feedstock. Products were requested from these companies and sixteen candidate fluids were received for evaluation.

Hydraulic systems are widely used in a variety of military applications such as aircraft, ground vehicles, and weapon systems. The impact of corrosion on hydraulic systems and its components has been identified but is often not recognized1. Project collaboration between the U.S. Army Research Lab, U.S. Army Corrosion Office, and Concurrent Technologies Corporation identified the most critical corrosion issues found in hydraulic systems to be hoses, hose end fittings, actuator arms, pistons, cylinders, and rams.

As the U.S. Military considers fuel sources around the world and into the future, fuels produced via non-conventional means are anticipated to become increasingly available and of growing importance. One such type of fuel, a synthetic fuel, can be produced from conversion processes employing Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis and starting with natural gas, coal or biomass feed stocks. The Single Fuel Forward (SFF or single fuel in the battlefield) policy requires the use of JP-8, JP-5 or Jet A-1. Evaluations of F-T fuels, such as synthetic JP-8, in military ground vehicles, aircraft, associated equipment, and fuel storage and distribution systems is needed to assess ability to meet desired and/or required operational performance and to identify potential issues, as well as potential benefits, with the introduction and use of these fuels.

Modern natural gas-to-liquids (GTL) conversion processes (Fischer-Tropsch liquid fuels (FTL)) offers an attractive means for making synthetic liquid fuels. Military diesel and jet fuels are procured under Commercial Item Description (CID) A-A-52557 (based on ASTM D 975) and MIL-DTL-83133/MIL-DTL-5624 (JP-8/JP-5), respectively. The Single Fuel Forward (single fuel in the battlefield) policy requires the use of JP-8 or JP-5 (JP-8/5). Fuel properties crucial to fuel system/engine performance/operation are identified for both old and new tactical/non-tactical vehicles. The 21st Century Truck program is developing technology for improved safety, reduced harmful exhaust emissions, improved fuel efficiency, and reduced cost of ownership of future military and civilian ground vehicles (in the heavy duty category having gross vehicle weights exceeding 8500 pounds).[1]

Alternative fuels made from materials other than petroleum are available for use in alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs) and some conventional vehicles. Liquid fuels such as biodiesel could be used in U.S. Army or other Military/Federal Government compression ignition (CI) engine powered vehicles. The military combat/tactical fleet is exempt from Federal Government mandates to use alternative fueled vehicles and has adopted JP-8/JP-5 jet fuel as the primary military fuel. The Army non-tactical fleet and other Federal nonexempt CI engine powered vehicles are possible candidates for using biodiesel. Inclusion of biodiesel as an alternative fuel qualifying for alternative fueled vehicle credits for fleets required to meet AFV requirements has allowed for its use at 20 (minimum) percent biodiesel in petroleum diesel fuel. Alternative fuels are being considered for the 21st Century Truck (21T) program. [1]

U.S. Army arctic engine oil, MIL-L-46167B, designated OEA, provides excellent low-temperature operation and is multi functional. It is suitable for crankcase lubrication of reciprocating internal combustion engines and for power-transmission fluid applications in ground equipment. However, this product required 22-percent derated conditions in the two-cycle diesel engine qualifications test. Overall, OEA oil was limited to a maximum ambient temperature use of 5°C for crankcase applications. The technical feasibility of developing an improved, multi functional arctic engine oil for U.S. military ground mobility equipment was investigated. The concept was proven feasible, and the new oil, designated as OEA-30, has exceptional two-cycle diesel engine performance at full engine output and can be operated beyond the 5°C maximum ambient temperature limit of the MIL-L-46167B product.