March 5, 2012:
South Korea has ordered another 1,537 Viper under-the-hood mobile power systems for its military trucks (especially hummers and other light vehicles). These 28.2 kg (62 pound) units enable the vehicle engine to generate additional 8 KW (kilowatts) of electricity (for operating all the new electronic gear and recharging batteries). The South Korean military already has about 500 of these Viper units, which cost about $6,000 each. In addition to convenience, vehicles generating electricity cuts down on the need for separate generators.
New military vehicles come with this electrical capability built in. The new American hummer replacement (the JLTV) will come equipped to generate 30 KW of electricity for external use.