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a new veHicle in tHe rugged force protection family; tHe first purpose built tactical veHicle of its kind. • HigH performance off road • modular design for rapid field level mission configuration cHanges • narrow track configuration certified in tHe v-22 osprey • wide track configuration for tHe cH-47 cHinook • scalable armor packages • multiple weapons mount options • scalable open electronic arcHitecture our veHicles get tHe job done – and our global support infrastructure is tHere wHen you need it. learn more about tHe jamma’s capabilities and our global support infrastructure: forceprotection.net
In the enormous consolidation of the defense industry over the past two decades, some have said the military no longer can get real competition from the few huge firms left standing, or that their offerings lack innovation. But that’s untrue, as our annual Tactical Vehicle Review shows: Special operators have an enormous wealth of tactical vehicle options, and those rides are brimming with innovations that adapt to a swiftly changing battlefield threat. For special operations leaders, there is a vast array of choices in vehicles: there are widely differing power, weight, speed, capacity and other parameters. And many vehicles have robust protections for crew and passengers against the threat of IEDs, a feature that most U.S. vehicles lacked just a decade ago. Come with us as we examine this panoply of platforms moving the military in a war against a tough, persistent enemy.
Aerco The Phobos light strike vehicle looks like a high-speed dune buggy, agile and quick. And small wonder. It is being developed as a militarized version of the FilthyBoy buggy that is a fixture in extreme motorsports. Able to attain 37 mph on its diesel power, it can carry two to four personnel on recon missions, hit-and-run raids, border security patrols, counter insurgency missions and more. Its massive 16 inches of wheel travel make it ideal for offroad travel in rough terrain. It weighs just 3,748 pounds, a fraction of the heft of many military vehicles, giving it speed and agility.
AM General The HMMWV, the workaday warhorse for personnel in theater, was seen fading fast when the armed services saw that its flat bottom and other features were critically vulnerable to IEDs.
There will be plenty of competition for the work. In May, the deadline passed for companies to submit responses to the Army request for information for ideas on how the HMMWV can be transformed into a better ride. Big names including BAE Systems and Textron showcased HMMWV recap vehicles at the AUSA Winter conference and exhibition in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. HMMWV maker AM General also has a kit that can upgrade the vehicle. What the new HMMWV iterations will provide, it is clear, is better protection against IEDs. That might involve features such as V-shaped armored hulls, and better armor elsewhere, perhaps with blast chimneys, that would deflect the blast away from the occupants. Further, vehicles may be fitted with shock attenuating seats, and special harnesses to protect personnel. It is clear that both recapitalized existing vehicles and newly-built or rebuilt vehicles will both protect special operators better, and also meet their SOF-specific needs. For example, as the military moves toward the Ground Mobility Vehicle of the future, some key points are clear. In FY 2010, SOCOM began a recapitalization effort to replace 60 to 80 percent of the multi-configured, less capable legacy GMV fleet with a standardized vehicle that includes kitting to enable warfighters to tailor the vehicle based on unique SOF requirements. Vehicle kits include, but are not limited to, auxiliary fuel bladders, ammunition storage racks, rear floor reinforcement, roll bars, rear bench seats, smoke and grenade system, recovery strap kits, jacking and skid plates, spare tire carriers, side rails, and various types of weapons mounts, the gunner protection kit and cargo bed armor. Additionally, vehicles are equipped with an A-kit to accept a C4ISR suite.
Armor Works HMMWV But this venerable vehicle just may be headed for a new life, with innovations that will protect personnel from the No. 1 killer of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. www.SOTECH-kmi.com
The Hyena vehicle can haul on down the road, exceeding 80 miles an hour thanks to a turbodiesel power plant. With a hull designed for the IED age, it carries five persons. ArmorWorks developed this fast attack vehicle on its own dime, so that it exists and works now.
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It offers something different: While many vehicles are disguised, the Hyena provides 3-D camo. It also has camo fabric over extendable masts.
BAE Systems BAE Systems extols the MRAP, or mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, as a transport that is “highly survivable” in a combat area filled with IEDs. A V-hull, solid armor, shock mitigating seats and quality fire suppression extinguishing system make the MRAP a safe place for combatants.
MRAP The vehicle offers a brawny 370 horsepower, propelling it up to a top speed of 77 mph. Weighing in at 60,740 pounds, it has a huge 21.9 inches of ground clearance, vital in offroad maneuvers. It can carry a crew of two and eight troops as well. MRAPs “offer the right combination of needed mobility, ease of handling, crew comfort and mine protection, but most importantly they save lives,” said Chris Chambers, vice president and general manager of BAE tactical wheeled vehicles. Special operators have used HMMWVs for years in theater, and found the vehicle to be a reliable daily driver. While it has weak points, such as struggling to carry heavy add-on armor and a vulnerability to IEDs, those problems can be fixed with the HMMWV recapitalization. For example, the BAE Integrated Smart V, or ISV, proposal for the HMMWV recap has improved power and a better suspension. It offers a V-shaped hull, and a lighter-weight monocoquesegmented body that can fly into three sections when struck by an IED blast, to help absorb the impact of the explosion, and more. The BAE Systems HMMWV recap vehicle of tomorrow also boasts improved means of vehicle occupant egress after taking enemy fire, or after a highway accident, such as a hatch that can open in a jammed door, or a windshield that can open.
While some in Congress are skeptical about renovating the HMMWV, recalling its history of vulnerability to IEDs, it clearly costs less to recap the vehicle using many of its old parts than to build an entirely new ride with a totally different design. Using old body panels also helps to disguise the brand-new, superior vehicle. If it seems to be a typical old HMMWV, terrorists may not make any special effort to target it. The BAE Smart V reuses about 40 percent of each old HMMWV that is recapped. Further, the Smart V battery is moved safely beneath the hood of the vehicle, while the gas tank is moved to the rear of the Smart V, keeping dangers away from the driver. The Smart V weighs just 13,900 pounds, modest for a military vehicle, and has a generous 17 inches of ground clearance. It can fit into a CH-47, and carries two to four personnel plus a gunner. It also can carry up to 1,800 pounds of cargo. The RG35 RPU offers 340 horsepower, pushing it to a 56 mph top speed. The vehicle weighs 26,680 to 46,300 pounds, and takes off-road rambles in stride with a 16.3-inch ground clearance. Its armored capsule protects the crew in an IED blast. It carries a crew of one and nine personnel. For special operators, the RG33 AUV has a muscular 600 horses and moves at 62 mph. Tipping off at 53,363 pounds, it has a generous 19.5 inches of ground clearance. The V-hull design protects the four passengers. It can hold 20,600 pounds, and tow another 64,000. The RG33 and other BAE vehicles “have been credited with saving many lives through the vehicles’ outstanding mine resistance and protection against improvised explosive devices and ballistic threats,” Chambers emphasized.
BCDS Inc. Generally, few would confuse a military vehicle with a sports car. But the SM-TRV by Anvil Rock, provided by BCDS, can move. With a 300 horsepower diesel engine or 350 hp gasoline power plant, the SM-TRV can haul down the road at 90 mph, or at 120 mph with the optional overdrive. If special operators wish to move in fast and strike with the element of surprise working in their favor, this is it. The vehicle weighs just 3,600 to 4,200 pounds, and holds two to four personnel.
Chenowth The Scorpion DPV, with 130 to 200 horses under the hood, can move faster than 60 mph (perhaps much faster). It weighs just 1,499 to 2110 pounds, and comes with a 16-inch ground clearance. Boasting a range of 210 to about 1,000 miles, it carries up to three personnel and up to 1,500 pounds of materiel.
Force Protection The Ocelot, despite its 16,535 to 17,637 pound gross vehicle weight, can move at up to 68 mph thanks to its six cylinder
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turbodiesel engine. The Ocelot has a 13.3-inch ground clearance, and can be sling-carried by a CH-47 helo.
as a gun truck with a 360 degree field of fire from a single weapon station and for missions such as special reconnaissance, rescue/casevac and tactical resupply. Configuration changes can be made without any need to modify the existing, mature powertrain, suspension, and base chassis. A 6-cylinder turbo diesel/JP8 engine allows the JAMMA to be equally adept at traversing steep ATV width mountain trails, skimming over sand dunes, screaming down a highway fully-loaded at over 85 MPH, or negotiating narrow alleys and rubble strewn streets. The state of the art, open architecture, digital electronics backbone with CANBUS communication allows the integration of a wide variety of C4I solutions and the easy integration of emerging technologies as they mature. The JAMMA is also available with a hybrid drive capable of generating 21kW of continuous export power. Force Protection Industries’ JAMMA was created to be a force multiplier in virtually any mission scenario and to be as tough, adaptable, agile and versatile as the operators who use it.
OCELOT
General Dynamics
With a V-hull crew pod, improved ballistic survivability seats and safety harnesses, it is a safe place in an IED-infested world. Its diesel engine provides 373 miles between fill-ups, and it can transport two to six personnel. It carries 4,409 pounds. There is room for two to six personnel. The boxy vehicle was developed in cooperation with Ricardo PLC. The JAMMA (Joint All-terrain Modular Mobility Asset) is unique. It was clean-sheet designed to be a rugged, tactical fighting vehicle that is easily transportable in frontline aircraft, that has a skateboard chassis for unparalleled modularity, and that has better off road performance than any other vehicle in its class. The Force Protection Industries Inc. (FPI) JAMMA is a robust weapons system platform with proven military-grade components and technologies that have been rigorously tested by the U.S. government and FPI. While other vehicles began as recreational or utility vehicles, the JAMMA has been purposebuilt around critical tactical vehicle design considerations such as: transportability, durability, situational awareness, mobility, scalability, armor attachment and lethality. For example, the JAMMA is internally transportable in the CH-47 Chinook and also in V-22 Osprey aircraft. Because of its unique modularity, the JAMMA can easily be expanded to maximize the cargo space of the larger CH-47. The vehicle’s crew compartment can be enlarged to increase internal seating, stowage and weapon mount options, and, the JAMMA suspension can be widened. When the JAMMA’s suspension is widened, not only does the vehicle’s lateral stability increase, the vehicle’s wheel travel is also significantly increased—greatly enhancing vehicle performance on the ground. The skateboard weapons system platform design allows for remarkable mission flexibility. The JAMMA can be configured
The Flyer is one of the most easily transported military vehicles, capable of being internally carried on the CH-53 and CH-47 helicopters and the V-22 Osprey tilt rotor. It also can be carried externally by the UH-60L helo.
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FLYER When it reaches the fight, the Flyer’s 150 horsepower can propel it at speeds up to 85 miles an hour. While it weighs 4,000 to 5,500 pounds, it can roll 450 miles on a tank of fuel. It has armor to protect its passengers, up to four personnel, and it can carry 3,500 to 5,000 pounds of cargo. Offered with Flyer Defense, the vehicle provides leading C4ISR capabilities and can handle rugged off-road terrain.
Indigen Armor The Non-Standard Tactical Truck (NSTT) has a hefty 325 horsepower diesel that also can use JP8 fuel, a powerplant that
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can send the vehicle flying along at 103 mph. Easily transported, the NSTT can be carried by the CH-47 or MH-47. It protects passengers with features such as an armored cell and special seats to provide safety in IED-infested areas. The NSTT carries up to four personnel.
International The MXT-MV offers a combination of size and speed, with a 340 horsepower diesel engine able to drive the vehicle to 84 mph despite its weight of 14,000 to 19,000 pounds. It also is able to do things at low speed, such as head off-road, with a ground clearance of 11 to 12 inches. It can have armor in response to customer needs to protect against IEDs, and there are special seats as well. The MXT-MV has a range of more than 400 miles, and it can hold three to five persons. It also can haul 3,500 to 8,500 pounds of payload, while still providing highly maneuverable handling. Want to give the MXT-MV some combat capability? It can be equipped with a state-of-the-art, extended range, Raytheon air defense system based on the combat proven, dual-use AIM120. The system consists of the fire distribution center, the AN/ TPQ-64F1 Sentinel radar, and multiple launchers. That system is deployed today in four NATO countries and as a component in the U.S. National Capital Region homeland defense architecture.
Jankel The Guardian tactical vehicle is provided by Jankel with the solid underpinnings of a Ford F-450 Super Duty truck 4x4. This is a multi-role armored vehicle. It can be equipped with a massive gasoline 6.8 liter Triton V10 engine with Torqshift 5-speed gearbox pumping out 310 horsepower. Or it can go with a 6 liter diesel PowerStroke V8 turbo engine boasting 325 horses. The spacious vehicle seats the driver and commander, and six troops. It has sniper/observation ports on all sides. It weighs 7,050 kg, with a curb weight of 6,080 kg and a payload capacity of 970 kg.
JEEP J8 LPV And it’s a versatile vehicle: it can carry two to eight personnel, or it can be fashioned to carry casualties. Or it can have an overhead weapon system: a 7.62 mm machine gun, a .50 caliber machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
John Deere The M-Gator A-2 provides what many special operators need: a nimble, quick, maneuverable transport with fast acceleration that can go over rugged terrain, thanks to an 11-inch ground clearance, or through narrow spaces. It has an 8-inch travel on the front suspension, and a 9-inch travel on the rear.
Jeep The Jeep J8 has a proud history dating back to World War II, where it was the main transport vehicle of choice. Now, the Jeep wants a second chance, which is bound up in a 194 horsepower vehicle that can move down highways at 87 mph. While it can weigh up to 8,515 pounds, and can carry 2,787 pounds payload, it is highly nimble, and able to go off-road with a 9-inch ground clearance. Transportable, the Jeep can be carried by the MH-47 or CH-53 helicopters. An armored version is available. The turbocharged 2.8 liter diesel engine sips fuel, so the Jeep can provide an imposing 391 to 578 mile range. It also provides many features that would be expected on well-equipped passenger cars, such as ABS brakes and optional driver and front passenger airbags.
M-GATOR A2 Its 25 horsepower diesel engine (JP8 compatible) can run the two-passenger vehicle at up to 32 mph. Weighing just 1,640 pounds, the vehicle boasts go-cart-like handling.
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The cargo box that is able to act as a power dump body can take 1,000 pounds of payload, and the M-Gator also can tow another 1,500 pounds. Yet another 150 pounds can ride on a front cargo rack. The sides of the cargo box can fold down to accept large, awkward loads. The compact asset has a heavy duty bumper and brushguard, skid plates, and a rifle mount system. The M-Gator A-2 is just 62 inches wide, useful in slipping through tight spaces, useful when loading it on an aircraft.
Granite Tactical Vehicles (Textron) This survivable combat tactical vehicle technology is integrated into the HMMWV. The vehicle is rotary wing transportable. It has an armored V-hull blast protection enhancement, and special seats with a harness system.
Millen Works
Ceradyne detachable armor can help protect the two to four passengers in IED detonations. A Prowler can carry 1,400 to 1,600 pounds internally, and it can tow 2,550 to 3,000 pounds.
Polaris The RZR-SW can move at 68 mph, weighing just 1,112 pounds. It has a 13-inch ground clearance, and runs on 87 to 89 octane gasoline. Carrying two persons, it also can haul 1,000 pounds of payload, and can tow 1,500 pounds.
Supacat The Supacat 6x6 MKIII all-terrain mobility vehicle can float on water. Its 78 horsepower diesel engine can move its 3,800-plus pounds at 40 mph. It has an 8.5-inch ground clearance, and carries two crew and up to eight personnel. Able to haul up to 3,200 pounds of payload, it can also tow 4,800 pounds.
The company offers two interesting vehicles. One is the HTTV, with 200 horses from a diesel power plant and a weight of around 4,900 to 7,350 pounds that can be transported on the MV-22 Osprey. Also, the company offers the ETTV, a hybrid electric drive version that has a 150-mile range.
Oshkosh The M-ATV is a survivor in a rough world of roadside bombs. Its 370 horsepower diesel engine gets 320 miles per tankful and runs the vehicle at 65 mph. Weighing 25,000 to 32,500 pounds, the M-ATV has a 13-inch ground clearance. To deal with IEDs, the M-ATV has a V-hull and armor, along with run-flat tires to get away from bad guys when they open fire. The M-ATV can seat four personnel, plus a gunner. And it can carry 4,000 pounds of payload. The SandCat is quick, and quickly transportable by air. It has a 325 horsepower diesel, and moves at more than 80 mph. Weighing 11,020 pounds, it has a 13-inch ground clearance. The SandCat can be carried by the CH-53 and the CH-47 and MH-47 helos. Able to carry four personnel, the vehicle also can lug 5,071 pounds of payload.
Phoenix International The Prowler LTATV, or light tactical all-terrain vehicle, is quick and nimble, with a 45 horsepower engine able to move it at 50 to 75 mph. The fuel choices include gasoline, “heavy fuel” and a diesel in development. It can go 115 to 125 miles, or deliver a range of 300 miles with spare tanks. A 12.5-inch ground clearance aids off-road maneuvering. The Prowler weighs 1,250 to 1,500 pounds, and is sufficiently compact so that it can be carried by a CH-53, CH-47 or CH-46 helo, or by a V-22 Osprey. It also can be carried by an AW101 or a Merlin HC3A. www.SOTECH-kmi.com
SUPACAT Supacat also makes several other vehicles.
TMV The Military Special Forces Vehicle has 200 diesel horsepower to move its 16,530 pounds at up to 85 mph. Its ground clearance is adjustable: low clearance for a low center of gravity at highway speed, to provide stability, but a high ground clearance for navigating rough terrain off-road. Its V-hull and armor are among the features protecting occupants against IEDs. The vehicle provides an impressive 696 miles range, and it carries a crew of two plus four personnel. There are several variants. O
For more information, contact SOTECH Editor Dave Ahearn at davea@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.SOTECH-kmi.com.
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