In late September, I met with Polaris Defense and learned that the Marine Corps had evaluated at the Diesel MRZR during the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) MAGTF Integrated Experiment at Camp Pendleton in California which was a component of exercise RIMPAC 16. The Marines even displayed the MRZR at Modern Day Marine to showcase its capabilities. They didn’t waste any time deciding that it was what they wanted to adopt for their Utility Task Vehicle program.
MINNEAPOLIS (November 10, 2016) — Polaris Defense, a division of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), has received an order from the United States Marine Corps to deliver 144 four-seat diesel MRZR™ vehicles as part of the utility task vehicle (UTV) program, which will provide MRZR-D4s to each of the Marine Corps’ active-component infantry regiments. The contract also includes spare parts blocks in support of the vehicles.
This vehicle procurement follows successful testing and integration exercises, such as the recent RIMPAC 2016 where the Marine Corps experimented with new technologies, tactics and operational concepts during force-on-force training.
“We introduced the diesel MRZR earlier this year and the Marines were among the first to purchase vehicles for test and evaluation,” said Joaquin Salas, business development manager, Polaris Defense. “The MRZRs off-road mobility, heavy fuel compatibility and internal transport certifications on vertical-lift aircraft make it a force multiplier for Marine infantry units.”
The UTV program is designed to provide company-level operations with logistics support, filling a critical capability gap at the tactical level. The MRZR-D4 delivers a proven solution that is cost-effective, reliable, easily maintained, and certified for internal transport in MV-22 and CH-53 aircraft.
MRZRs have redefined ultralight, off-road mobility for military vehicles and are mission critical for expeditionary forces in the U.S. and more than 20 allied countries to meet mission demands and threats. The flexible vehicle platform can be configured a number of ways to fulfill rapid personnel deployment, casualty evacuation and supply transport missions.
Polaris Defense vehicles deliver a coveted combination of deployability, versatility and off-road mobility, forged from more than 60 years of off-road vehicle experience that is simply unmatched. Vehicles include the rugged Sportsman MV 850, the modular and nimble MRZR, and the DAGOR, which expands upon the range, payload and off-road mobility of any previous tactical off-road vehicle. The enhanced tactical mobility provided by Polaris Defense gives an advantage back to dismounted troops, allowing formations to move faster, carry more and significantly reduce combat fatigue. Polaris FSR support is scalable worldwide and includes military vehicle training, service and maintenance. It also can be supplemented internationally through the Polaris network of distributors. And because Polaris vehicles are in service throughout the world, there is a high degree of interoperability and commonality among U.S. and allied forces.
Now THAT is how quickly the procurement process work!
Im really hoping they get pushed down the infantry battalions and don’t become ” A LOG VIC used by the 1stSgt’s to get mail” they would make an outstanding platform for a CAAT lite type unit specially if they purchase the weapons mounting platforms from milsysgroup could also be a great assault vehicle for the help raid companies with in the infantry battalions.
It will never leave the wire…
I’m glad the Marines are picking up the vehicle. It would help in small unit logistics and increase tactical maneuver for fire teams and small recon units.
That said it helps acquisition when other units prove the equipment and its employment. Army Special Forces and the Rangers have been using MRZR’s for years. The GRF started employing them last year (they just don’t publicize).
Nothing gets the Corps procurement money rolling in faster than “certified for internal transport in MV-22″…except perhaps anything relevant to enhancing the image of the F35. I hope this works out, it looks like a decent sidexside (hopefully EPA doesn’t slap a DEF requirement on the diesel) but i suspect it will end up in the same bucket as the FAV and IFAV when the wing money to maintain it runs out, maintenance reality sets in, and (after fire tms figure out just how high and far it can fly in the air sans V22/CH53) it earns top billing in every BN CO’s ORM shit list.
You are remarkably prescient. Now can it tow an EFSS?
Towing the M327 shouldn’t be a problem, the MRZR is rated at 1500 lbs, and the mortar is just under 1300 lbs. Th problem comes with the length. It’s 20 inches longer than the Growler M1163 prime mover. Likely the M1163’s length was limited to how long it and the M327 were in towing configuration. Since the M1161 LSV is over 40 inches longer than the prime mover.