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This paper presents an innovative concept of using Brayton cycle for the development of a lightweight, efficient, and reliable automotive heater for application in Army tracked vehicles. The system consists of a centrifugal compressor, combustion chamber, radial flow turbine, heat exchangers, a catalytic converter, a blower for discharge air, and fuel supply and starting mechanisms. The heater uses atmospheric air and can function with different blends of fuels such as JP-8, JP-5, DF-1, or DF-2. A catalytic converter is used to ensure complete and pollution free combustion. Heat exchangers are used to extract all the available thermal energy from the products of combustion. The system, in addition to its operation as heater, acts as an auxiliary source for electrical energy. A detailed thermodynamic analysis and design optimization was performed. For a given heat and electrical power output, the air-fuel ratio increased with operating pressure ratio.