This hybrid motorcycle could be the US military's new special-ops workhorse. And maybe, just maybe, it'll also be available to civilians.

"Military tactics and strategies in general have evolved to sort of a lighter-and-faster model," says Marc Fenigstein, CEO of BRD Motorcycles. The tactical benefits of a fast, agile, all-terrain motorcycle are obvious, but the real advantage comes with its hybrid drivetrain, which maximizes range and allows for near-silent operation during stealth missions.

The project is being undertaken in a partnership between BRD Motorcycles in California and Logos Technologies in Virginia with a grant from DARPA. The project is based on BRD's Redshift MX (pictured)—an all-electric motorcycle BRD described as a barely-street-legal motocross racer. It weighs just 250 lbs. Its liquid-cooled electric motor produces 25 hp and an additional 15 hp in 10-second bursts. Top speed is 70 mph, and range tops out at about 50 miles.

The hybrid system currently being developed by Logos should significantly increase that last figure. The bike's multi-fuel internal combustion engine has an interesting origin: "It's part of a hybrid system for a UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] that we're currently developing for a customer," says Wade Pulliam, Manager of Advanced Concepts at Logos Technologies. "The system has been demonstrated in the UAV."

The powertrain has other advantages in addition to quiet operation and improved efficiency. It will also function as a mobile generator, supplying auxiliary electric power to soldiers in remote areas. In addition, the low-end tractability of the electric motor is much easier to modulate in tight, low-speed situations in which a combustion engine might stall.

Also aiding rideability is the two-wheel-drive system being developed by BRD. "We were already working on some concepts in that space," says Fenigstein. "So this was a natural extension of something we were already doing." It's a complex design brief, but it's promised the bike will be both as light and affordable as possible.

Right about now, you might be thinking you've found the perfect companion for an epic two-wheel camping trip. So will we civilians be able to buy one? "We are certain to learn quite a bit about the potential for both of the core technologies and how they're applicable in the consumer space, and we're certainly going to learn a lot about military requirements for ruggedization," continues Fenigstein. "I have no doubt that that knowledge will benefit our eventual consumer offerings."

We'll take that as a yes.

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