AVL Powertrain Engineering Inc. is to collaborate with the U.S. Army in the research and development of a new engine for combat vehicles.

The award for collaboration with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, is worth $17 million and was awarded by the National Advanced Mobility Consortium.

"Current military engines have set a high standard for reliability and durability," said James Labonte, AVL's director of Business Development. "The prospect of developing the standard for the next generation -- and doing so from the ground up -- is exhilarating."

The demonstrator to be developed will be modular and scalable with very low-heat rejection, high-power density, and increased fuel efficiency, AVL said.

It is expected that the capabilities resulting from this project will form the blueprint for the next generation of U.S. military combat powertrain applications.