GM Defense announced it was selected by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop a battery pack prototype for testing and analysis on Department of Defense platforms.

GM Defense will leverage the Ultium Platform, as it works to meet DIU’s requirement for a scalable design that can be used for tactical military vehicles, according to GM's news release.

DIU is a Department of Defense organization that accelerates the adoption of commercial technology across the U.S. military.

“This award is a critical enabler for non-traditional defense businesses like GM Defense to deliver commercial technologies that support our customers’ transition to a more electric, autonomous, and connected future,” said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. “Commercial battery electric technologies continue to mature. GM Defense offers a unique advantage with our ability to leverage proven commercial capabilities and the billions in GM investments in electric vehicle and autonomous vehicle technologies in order to help provide our customers with the most advanced capabilities the commercial market can offer.”

GM’s Ultium Platform is a combined electric vehicle (EV) battery architecture and propulsion system. The platform uses different chemistries and cell form factors, making it adaptable to changing needs and new technology insertions as they become available, according to GM.

This award follows a similar announcement GM Defense made in July when the business was selected by the U.S. Army to provide a GMC HUMMER EV Pickup for analysis and demonstration.