ACE stars at Land Forces Expo in Australia

The Advanced Combat Engine (ACE), developed by Cummins Inc. in collaboration with the U.S. Army, was a star drawcard at 2024 Land Forces in Melbourne, the largest defence exposition ever held in Australia.

With Ross Kunkler, Cummins’ commercial leader for ACE, in attendance, the advanced technologies embedded in the 1000 hp, four-cylinder, opposed-piston diesel engine were a lure for technical and engineering personnel at Land Forces.

The compactness of the 14.3-litre two-stroke engine, which features dual superchargers and dual turbochargers, peak torque of 2424 lb ft at 1600-2000 rpm, high fuel efficiency and low heat rejection, provides compelling reasons for its use in the next generation of combat vehicles.

Cummins collaborated with Achates Power on the opposed-piston technology which eliminates the need for a valve train and cylinder head.

“Cummins is in discussions with nearly all combat vehicle OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and there is strong interest in the ACE technology,” said Kunkler.

ACE is designed for both infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks. “When used in a hybrid configuration, ACE offers the required horsepower for main battle tank mobility,” he confirmed.

He pointed out ACE is designed with a 20,000-hour life-to-overhaul – “far in excess of current combat engine requirements”.

The fuel savings it offers are significant too – 13% compared with the current best-in-class combat engine in infantry fighting vehicles and even greater savings versus powerplants in main battle tanks.

Engineered for operation in full desert conditions using all specified military fuels, ACE has already accumulated 4000 hours of testing, some of that at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, powering the Advanced Mobility Experimental Prototype.

Further endurance testing, including the NATO 400-hour test, is scheduled as part of the product introduction process.

Kunkler sees a great future for ACE. “It is a privilege working with the Cummins ACE team,” he says. “They’re a very capable and dedicated group with the sole focus of bringing to market the most advanced combat engine ever developed.”

ACE production at the Cummins Seymour Plant in Indiana (U.S.) is expected in late 2027.