Allison Transmission is ramping up production of its 3040 MX cross-drive automatic transmission for installation in the General Dynamics Land Systems M10 Booker Combat Vehicle of which 504 are due to be delivered to the US Army, providing a direct fire support capability to the US Army’s Infantry Brigade Combat Teams.

The 3040 MX automatic transmission was originally developed as a private venture by the company and previously underwent extensive trials aboard a BAE Systems Bradley Fighting Vehicle as a potential replacement for the existing L3 Combat Systems HMPT-500 automatic transmission, but in the end the US Army stayed with this for the Bradley.

This analysis article originally appeared in December's Decisive Edge Land Warfare Newsletter.

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According to Allison, the main advantages of its 3040 MX include more rapid acceleration, improved fuel economy, better manoeuvrability, high-speed reverse capability, integrated diagnostics, integrated tow starting, integrated oil-cooled power-assisted service brakes and independent park and emergency brake actuation.

The system is designed for installation in new-build and upgraded tracked AFVs weighing between 36 and 40 tonnes and has four forward and two reverse gears. It can be coupled to diesel engines with an output of up to 800hp.

For the M10 Booker application the 3040 MX is paired with an MTU 8V199 TE23 engine with the power pack at the front of the vehicle.

The 3040 MX is followed by the 4040 MX which will be installed in BAE Systems Hagglunds CV90 Mk IV IFVs. This variant is broadly similar in design but adapted for a more powerful engine.

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During Shephard’s visit to the Hungarian facility of Allison Transmissions, company spokesperson Peter Rezsnyal said: ‘Production today is concentrated on the 3000 and 4000 series and well over 300,000 of these and other transmissions have been assembled in Hungary and supplied to many manufacturers including Astra, Iveco, Scania, Tatra and Volvo.’

Allison is also supplying its eGen Force hybrid-electric propulsion system to American Rheinmetall Vehicles for installation in its prototypes of the XM30 Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) which is coupled to a Liebherr common rail diesel featuring a two-stage turbocharger and two-stage intercooler.

In addition to being an automatic transmission it also functions as a power distribution system with electric motor and inverter, providing power for the vehicle as well as parallel hybrid operation.

It has a drive by-wire capability as well as the ability to move in silent mode and features an integrated drive, steer and braking system with eight forward and three reverse gears to provide a 12.1 ratio coverage.

eGen Force has been designed for installation in a wide range of AFVs, from IFVs through to main battle tanks.

The company is currently producing around 900 automatic transmissions a day at facilities in Hungary, India and the US for a wide range of military applications.

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