Military Auxiliary Power Units

Q: Can an APU be combined with air conditioning?

Yes. A Combined APU with Air Conditioning System drives the AC compressor and condenser fan directly from the APU, with the evaporator installed in the crew compartment to provide heated or cooled air to occupants.

Q: What generator output range do these APUs cover?

Across delivered platforms, generator output ranges from 100A up to 310A at 28V DC, sized to the specific vehicle's electrical demand.

Q: How are APUs kept compact enough to fit inside armoured vehicles?

Each system is engineered to its platform's available space examples include fitting inside a hull compartment, a semi-armoured stowage bin styled to match existing panniers, a vehicle sponson, or a roof-mounted acoustic enclosure, all without altering the vehicle's profile.

Q: What happens if the vehicle's databus fails on a CANBUS-controlled APU?

APU-only builds with a CANBUS controller include a local control box that provides reversionary control, so the unit remains operable even if the vehicle databus fails.

Q: What operating temperature range can these APUs handle?

Design ambient ranges vary by platform, spanning as low as -31°C up to +55°C across delivered systems.

APUs and combined APU/Air Conditioning systems provide a vehicle with electrical power and cooling, when combined with an AC system when the main engine is switched off. Each system is configured to the platform's specific requirements for power, cooling/heating, space, and operating temperature/altitude range. Delivered across main battle tanks, command post vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, and infantry fighting vehicles, with generator outputs from 100A to 310A at 28V DC.

Product Details

Overview

Auxiliary Power Units (APU) and Combined Auxiliary Power Units with Air Conditioning Systems provide a vehicle with a source of power when the main engine is switched off the power is used to drive a suitable 28V DC generator and, when an AC System is incorporated, a refrigeration compressor. APUs have also been proposed for other applications, including hydraulic power generation.

Every system is specifically configured for its application, taking into account the vehicle's requirements for:

Electrical power generation
Cooling/heating performance
Space availability
Operating temperature and altitude range

We've engineered APU and combined APU/AC systems across a wide range of platforms, including main battle tanks, command post vehicles, forward observer vehicles, battery command post vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, and infantry fighting vehicle variants each one built around that specific platform's space, power, and climate requirements.

Specifications

Model	Platform	Engine & Power	Generator	Mounting	Cooling / Heating	Design Ambient
AC165	Main Battle Tank	4-cyl, 4-stroke diesel; 20.3 kW nominal @ 2850 rpm	250A 28V DC	Hull compartment (rapid removal/replacement)	6.5 kW / 6.0 kW	-30°C to +50°C
AC143	Command Post Vehicle	3-cyl, 4-stroke diesel; 13 kW nominal @ 3000 rpm	150A 28V DC	Semi-armoured rear stowage bin	6.8 kW / —	-31°C to +44°C
AC143	Forward Observer Vehicle (APU only)	3-cyl, 4-stroke diesel; 15 kW nominal @ 3000 rpm	310A 28V DC	Semi-armoured rear stowage bin	— / —	-31°C to +49°C
AC196	Battery Command Post Vehicle	4-cyl, 4-stroke diesel; 20 kW nominal @ 2900 rpm	100A 28V DC	Vehicle sponson	10.6 kW / 3.0 kW	0°C to +55°C
AC1522	Self-Propelled Howitzer (APU only)	3-cyl, 4-stroke diesel; 15 kW nominal @ 3000 rpm	200A 28V DC	Vehicle sponson (slide-out for maintenance)	— / —	-30°C to +50°C
AC159	Forward Observation Vehicle (IFV variant)	3-cyl, 4-stroke diesel; 13 kW nominal @ 3000 rpm	120A 28V DC	Roof-mounted acoustic enclosure	6.5 kW / —	-31°C to +52°C

Six representative platform builds shown above, all from delivered programmes. New systems are configured per platform request a datasheet for your specific vehicle requirements.

Why Choose AMETEK Airtechnology

Platform-Configured: Power, cooling capacity, installation space, and environmental requirements are tailored to the specific vehicle platform.
Flexible Generator Output: Provides 28V DC power ranging from 100A to 310A based on operational demand.
Combined Power & Air Conditioning: Drives both the air conditioning compressor and condenser fan directly from the APU.
Dual-Source Switching: Selected configurations allow either the APU or main engine-driven AC system to operate the same evaporator unit.
Reversionary Control: CAN Bus controller with local control capability ensures continued operation if databus communication is lost.
Serviceable by Design: Rapid removal and slide-out mounting options simplify maintenance and service access.
Space-Efficient Installation: Fits within hull compartments, stowage bins, sponsons, or roof enclosures without affecting vehicle profile.
Wide Climate Range: Designed for reliable operation in ambient temperatures from -31°C to +55°C.

Tailored Solutions for Every Platform

We partner with customers to define requirements and deliver tailored, fully integrated solutions

APU

Military Auxiliary Power Units for tracked and wheeled vehicles.

About

APU

We partner with customers to shape requirements and develop integrated power solutions tailored to their platform. From compact installations with challenging space constraints to systems combining electrical power generation and air conditioning, we engineer APUs that maximise performance, reliability, and maintainability. Combining decades of military vehicle experience with advanced engineering expertise, we deliver customised solutions optimised for each customer's unique operating environment and mission needs.

APU with AC

About

APU with Air Conditioning

Downloads

View our Product Literature

Brochure

Download the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Brochure (PDF)

PDF

Download

View our Product Literature

FAQs

What does an APU provide when a military vehicle's main engine is off?

It provides a source of power typically driving a 28V DC generator, and when an Air Conditioning System is incorporated, a refrigeration compressor as well without needing the main engine running.

Military Auxiliary Power Units

Product Details

Overview

Specifications

Why Choose AMETEK Airtechnology

Tailored Solutions for Every Platform

About

APU

About

APU with Air Conditioning

Downloads

Brochure

Download the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Brochure (PDF)

Related products

What does an APU provide when a military vehicle's main engine is off?

Can an APU be combined with air conditioning?

What generator output range do these APUs cover?

How are APUs kept compact enough to fit inside armoured vehicles?

What happens if the vehicle's databus fails on a CANBUS-controlled APU?

Are these APUs custom per platform, or standard units?

What operating temperature range can these APUs handle?

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