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Press Release

For Immediate Release
November 9, 2007
Contact: Sean C. Bonyun
(202) 225-3761

Upton Delivers $1.6 Million for WMU to Research Safety on Military 4x4 Trucks
Western’s modeling and simulation program will help companies, including Eaton Research, calculate changes to vehicle reliability when weight is added to the vehicle

WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives has given its final approval to Congressman Fred Upton’s (R-St. Joseph) request for $1.6 million for Western Michigan University’s Center for Advanced Vehicle Design and Simulation.  The funding will be used for design and simulation on the impact of weight and equipment changes, such as increased armor, on military 4x4 trucks such as the army Humvee. The funding was included in the conference report for H.R. 3222, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which passed the House this week by a vote of 400 to 15.  The measure also passed the Senate and now heads to the President to be signed into law. 

“The benefits of this project to southwest Michigan are many,” said Upton.  “As we retrofit new technologies to older vehicles, it is imperative that we are without any doubt the vehicle can handle the load – and this simulation will help do just that.  General troop safety in Humvees and other vehicles is of utmost concern.  Adding equipment and armor to vehicles certainly provides our troops more tools, but it also can threaten the stability and reliability of their vehicles.  The university’s research will help keep our troops safer while conducting combat operations.” 

Upton saw firsthand in Iraq and Afghanistan that battlefield modifications can push vehicles beyond their design duty cycle and reliability.  The funding will advance simulation research to develop technologies to compensate for external forces in the field.  The technologies will be developed for retrofit of vehicles as well as for the next generation of ground vehicles.  In the process, there is an opportunity for technology transfer with the automotive industry. 

“We are enormously grateful to Congressman Upton for his support of our vehicle design research,” says WMU President John M. Dunn.  “The work we’re doing with government and industry partners in our Center for Advanced Vehicle Design and Simulation puts critical computer-simulation technology to work in ways that will not only improve the reliability and performance of military vehicles but also will improve our auto industry’s competitive edge.  It’s important research for our nation and our state.”

“Perfecting this new technology at the Center for Vehicle Design and Simulation will put Western on the map as a nexus for this type of research and attract leading students and researchers,” said Upton.  “Our region will continue to remain at the forefront of this important automotive research.”

Western’s computing technologies determine the lightest structure for lower costs, increased fuel economy, and greater load carrying capability for increased productivity.  The project will also be concentrating on the cost impacts from design changes needed to meet the reliability and performance goals.  This ground vehicle technology research will also enable U.S. automakers to be more competitive in the global market.

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