# Army Extends Tactical Vehicle Power Project

The U.S. Army extended Michigan Technological University’s Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APS LABS) Vehicle Integrated Power Kit (VIPK) project by 18 months, shifting the effort toward production readiness with Oshkosh Defense. The project has **$16.9 million exercised to date**. Upcoming work includes completing and validating prototypes for government assessment and soldier evaluation, finalizing the Technical Data Package, and optimizing the design for manufacturability. The extension signals continued Army interest in integrating mobile power generation into tactical vehicles, but it does not announce a new solicitation.

- The effort’s near-term focus is prototype validation and production transition, creating potential areas for relevant suppliers to support testing, integration, and manufacturability.
- Oshkosh Defense is supporting production and integration alongside APS LABS; firms seeking to participate should assess whether their capabilities align with those needs and potential teaming opportunities.
- Procurement professionals and contractors should distinguish this project extension from an open competition: no new solicitation, total project value, or proposal deadline is identified.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Energy & Utilities
**Published:** October 14, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Army (Army)
- Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC)
- Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM)

### Vendors
- Michigan Technological University Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APS LABS) (Awardee and research performer)
- Oshkosh Defense (Original equipment manufacturer; production and integration support)

### Key Quotes
> As the original equipment manufacturer, we are enabling the integration of emerging power solutions in a way that aligns with the platform’s design and performance, allowing soldiers to operate critical systems with greater flexibility and reliability in complex environments.
> — Pat Williams, Chief Programs Officer at Oshkosh Defense

### Sources
- [Michigan Technological University’s APS LABS Partners with Oshkosh Defense to Advance Mobile Energy Generation Capability | News](https://www.mtu.edu/news/2026/10/michigan-technological-universitys-aps-labs-partners-with-oshkosh-defense-to-advance-mobile-energy-generation-capability.html) - Michigan Technological University