TYR Tactical

Archive for the ‘Mobility’ Category

Rogue Ridge RG750 Is Built for Off-Grid Adventure

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022

Minden, LA – The culmination of years of research and development, Rogue Ridge’s RG750 fat tire e-bike is engineered to take outdoorsmen farther and faster.

Equipped with a 750-watt motor and 13 amp hour battery, the RG750 can last through long rides and power you up steep hills. It can reach up to 20 mph with a range of up to 35 miles and a charge time of just 2.5 hours.

The e-bike’s fat tires easily tackle any terrain from sand and rocks to snow and mud, making it a great fit for backcountry hunting or adventuring in all conditions.

The tech-welded frame constructed of 6061 aluminum weighs 65 pounds and is load-rated for up to 300 pounds. The RG750 features a display for quickly checking current speed, average speed, trip distance, and remaining battery power.

The e-bike comes off-road ready with a rear pannier rack, 48v 2a charger, mud fenders, tire liners, and a 1-year warranty. Available in Mossy Oak Bottomland and three solid colorways, the RG750 is a great value at $3,999.99-$4,199.99.

To learn more about the RG750 and browse the full lineup of e-bikes, visit rogueridge.com.

Rogue Ridge RF750 E-Bike Boasts Ultimate Performance at a Great Value

Sunday, November 20th, 2022

Minden, LA – Rogue Ridge’s RF750 folding fat tire e-bike is the culmination of years of research and development to become the best e-bike on the market at the best value possible.

Equipped with a 750-watt motor and 13 amp hour battery, the RF750 can handle long rides with plenty of power to blast up the steepest hillsides. It can reach up to 20 mph with five different power levels, with a range of up to 35 miles and a charge time of just 2.5 hours.

The RF750’s fat tires easily tackle any terrain from sand and rocks to snow and mud, making it the perfect e-bike for backcountry hunting or adventuring in all conditions. The folding hardtail frame constructed of 6061 aluminum weighs 55 pounds and is load-rated for 300 pounds.

The e-bike offers compact storage when not in use and comes off-road ready with a rear pannier rack, front basket, 48v 2a charger, mud fenders, 80 lux headlight, tire liners, and a 1-year warranty. Available in Mossy Oak Bottomland and four solid colorways, the RF750 is an incredible value at $3,499.99-$3,599.99.

To learn more about the RF750 and browse the full lineup of e-bikes, visit rogueridge.com.

Beam Global Receives $11.7M Order for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for 140 EV ARC Systems

Friday, November 18th, 2022

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 17, 2022 — Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM, BEEMW), the leading provider of innovative sustainable products and technologies for electric vehicle (EV) charging, energy storage, energy security and outdoor media, announced that the General Services Administration (GSA) placed an order for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to receive 140 Beam EV ARC™ sustainable off-grid charging systems. The systems will be deployed across 34 locations in 12 states including Hawaii. The purchase was made by GSA for VA through GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Contract Number 47QSWA21D0006 which simplifies the federal procurement process and ensures best pricing.

GSA is partnering with Veterans Affairs to build a more sustainable future for its fleet and its facilities across the country. VA’s EV ARC™ systems support Executive Order 14057 calling for 100% zero-emission federal fleet light duty vehicle acquisitions by 2027 and will support VA’s growing fleet of ZEVs that help serve Veterans. The EV ARC™ charging systems will be deployed at medical and administrative VA locations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Texas and Virginia.

“We are thrilled to see American-made EV ARC systems going to the first of the 1,255 medical and administrative Veterans Affairs locations across the U.S. We proudly employ veterans and invite more to join us,” said Beam Global CEO Desmond Wheatley. “As federal initiatives like Executive Order 14057 and funding programs like the Inflation Reduction Act gain momentum, we expect continued growth in the federal sector. Our sustainable EV charging solutions create American manufacturing jobs to build American made products that serve zero emission transportation with 100% locally generated renewable and resilient energy. We look forward to helping VA and all our federal partners transition to electric vehicles and build a brighter future for coming generations.”

Each EV ARC™ charging system generates and stores its own electricity and delivers that power to a dual-plug EV charger from ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CHPT), a leading EV charging network, to charge two electric vehicles simultaneously. Off-grid and powered by renewable energy, the systems are rapidly deployed turnkey sustainable charging systems requiring no construction, no electrical work and no utility connection. On-board battery storage enables EVs to charge during the night, inclement weather and grid outages, and the Emergency Power Panel can provide vital electricity to VA personnel and first responders during disasters and grid outages.

The VA’s Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated health care network in the United States, with 1,255 health care facilities serving 9 million enrolled Veterans annually. President Biden’s Executive Order 14057 with its accompanying Federal Sustainability Plan calls for 100% zero-emission vehicle acquisitions by 2035, including 100% light-duty acquisitions by 2027. This is prioritizing and accelerating a Federal Clean Electricity and Vehicle Procurement Strategy, calling for clean and zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) for federal, state, local and tribal government fleets. There are approximately six-hundred and seventy-five-thousand vehicles in the federal fleet.

For more information on how federal, local and state government entities can purchase Beam’s EV ARC™ turnkey sustainable EV charging solutions from the federal GSA Contract Number 47QSWA21D0006, please contact The Beam Team at 858-799-4583 or BeamTeam@BeamForAll.com.

*This order was made public during Beam Global’s earnings announcement on November 10, 2022

BAE Systems’ New CV90 Variants Add Capabilities and Combat Efficiency for Swedish Army

Thursday, November 17th, 2022

BAE Systems is launching two new variants of the CV90—the Forward Maintenance vehicle and the Combat Engineer vehicle—to support Swedish Army requirements

ÖRNSKÖLDSVIK, Sweden — Nov. 16, 2022 — BAE Systems has signed a follow-on contract worth $90 million with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for two new CV90 variants, which are being added to the Swedish CV90 RENO upgrade program.

The two new variants will be delivered by BAE Systems’ Swedish joint venture HB Utveckling AB, which brings together BAE Systems Hägglunds and Bofors manufacturing capabilities. The new variants are the Forward Maintenance vehicle, which will provide critical frontline support, repair, and recovery for other vehicles, ensuring improved overall combat vehicle availability; and the Combat Engineer variant, which will significantly grow the ability to ensure route clearance and deny enemy forces mission critical mobility. These two new variants will join the Swedish Army’s mechanized formations with deliveries scheduled between 2023 and 2027.

“We are proud to be producing these two new CV90 variants for the Swedish Army,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds. “The collaborative approach involved in the Swedish CV90 RENO program has been recognized as a key success factor in achieving a timely, balanced, and cost-effective solution to meet the customer’s capability requirements. We look forward to supporting our Swedish customer in increasing their combat efficiency.”

The two new CV90 variants will be produced at BAE Systems Hägglunds’ facility in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden and by Ritek in Levanger, Norway. Ritek is one of BAE Systems Hägglunds’ key industrial partners in the Norwegian CV90 program. Ritek’s role in this Swedish program is a significant milestone, moving Ritek into the international CV90 supply chain.

“Ritek has demonstrated that it has the industrial capability and skills required for such a program,” said Peter Sedin, BAE Systems Hägglunds’ director of operations. “As our production partner for a similar Norwegian Army program, it made sense to turn to Ritek when we were looking for the optimal industrial setup for this important FMV contract.”

There are approximately 1,300 CV90s in service with Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The vehicle has a combat-proven track record and is designed to accommodate future growth to meet evolving missions. More recently, both Slovakia and the Czech Republic have selected CV90 to replace their legacy infantry fighting

vehicle fleets.

The CV90 will now be available in 17 variants and is designed to provide optimum mobility, with the highest level of protection in any terrain or tactical environment. The CV90 MkIV combines improved battlefield speeds and handling with an upgraded electronic architecture to support future growth capabilities as the complex battlefield evolves.

MWW 22 – All-Terrain electric Mission Module

Monday, November 14th, 2022

During the recent Modern Warfare Week demo day at the Range Complex near Fort Bragg, I had the opportunity to see the All-Terrain electric Mission Module (pronounced Atom) from Plasan North America.

At first glance it’s a trailer. But it also incorporates a 47kWh Li-Iron Battery Pack. Additionally, the system is modular allowing the addition of mission payloads including weapons. ATeMM can be synchronized with the lead vehicle and this system also means it can be remotely operated.

When combined with a lead vehicle, the platform performs as an 8×8. ATeMM’s wheels track with any turns conducted by the lead vehicle which helps keep turns radiuses tight.

Not only can it add propulsion to any vehicle it’s attached to, but it can either propel that vehicle on its own or be charged while being towed by the other vehicle via regenerative braking and coast regeneration. It turns legacy vehicles like the HMMWV, ISV, and GMV 1.1 into hybrids without having to buy completely new systems. Those vehicles can also be moved in silent mode if propelled by ATeMM.

Since ATeMM is also a large battery, it can be used to power a wide variety of systems. As the Army looks more and more toward highly mobile command posts, this offers a way silently power them.

Because it does so many things ATeMM defies categorization. In fact, it’s an issue that the Army’s acquisition system is facing. ATeMM has been used in several experiments and is exactly the kind of multi-use gear that Cross Functional Teams love but when it comes to who would write a requirement and which Program Executive Office would be responsible is where things become fuzzy.

ATeMM looks to be a great options, but may be too generalized for a requirements generation process that seeks out highly specialized capability.

InterRoC Research Project – Rheinmetall HX trucks Demonstrate Automated Driving Capabilities

Thursday, November 10th, 2022


On behalf of Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), Rheinmetall is currently conducting the InterRoC research and technology project. The abbreviation stands for Interoperable Robotic Convoy. In the last weeks, the impressive capabilities of this high-tech approach to autonomous driving were on display at two remarkable events.

The InterRoC project encompasses two HX2 military trucks from Rheinmetall, each equipped with an autonomy kit, and which alternate in accordance with the leader-follower principle. With this principle, the first vehicle is always driven manually, while the pursuit truck (or trucks) drives autonomously in its path. These are manned only by a backup driver, who can intervene in case of a malfunction. Here, it is not just the so-called primary functions, such as steering and accelerating, that are controllable; secondary functions like starting the engine, the lights, differential locks, etc., are as well. The current project uses an autonomy kit (A-Kit) furnished by the German authorities, and originally provided by the US government under a project agreement. Rheinmetall’s role in the programme includes modifying the basic vehicles and integrating the autonomy function, together with commissioning and testing.

Proven interoperability: a US-German convoy
As part of its Autonomous Ground Resupply (AGR) project, the US Army uses the same A-kits in its Oshkosh trucks that Rheinmetall uses for InterRoC. This makes mixed US-German convoys possible. This was tested in an operational demonstration (OPDEMO) from 26 September to 7 October at the US Army’s Grafenwöhr Training Area in Bavaria.

The intensive preparations paid off, with the first two-vehicle convoy already on the move the second day. During these two weeks, a convoy consisting of five vehicles tested every conceivable operating mode of the system in multiple variants. In the process, 1,051 km were driven autonomously. It is worth noting that the entire convoy overcame a gradient of 40 percent, with the A-Kit operating the differential locks.

Furthermore, the vehicles were able to operate continuously for over 75 minutes without manual intervention. The maximum convoy length was 1,100 metres.

Dynamic reconfiguration of the convoy proved possible with minimal idle time.
All in all, the tests turned out to be a complete success for everyone involved, resulting in numerous valuable findings.

Success at ELROB 2022
In early summer 2022, in the presence of German government officials, InterRoC vehicles had already taken part in the international European Land Robot Trial (ELROB) event.

ELROB is Europe’s toughest field test for unmanned systems. It is an open, multinational competition in the realm of robotics, sensors and autonomy, drawing participants from universities as well as civilian industry and the defence sector. It takes place every two years at a military installation. This year’s event was held at an exercise area near Vienna, 30 May to 3 June.

Participants have to contend with various scenarios and overcome multiple challenges, conceived in close cooperation with military users. Completion of the tasks is evaluated by a team of experts.

Participating for the first time with the InterRoC research and technology project in the event’s Convoying category, Rheinmetall’s small team took second place, finishing behind the University of the Bundeswehr in Munich.

This year’s challenges strained the specified capabilities of the vehicles and A-Kit alike, but the creative Rheinmetall team, reinforced by colleagues from RMMV Austria, largely succeeded in overcoming these.

In addition to the evaluated scenarios, Rheinmetall also carried out an autonomous driving presentation for a throng of interested visitors at the test site. The vehicles clearly captured the crowd’s imagination and proved highly popular.

AirBoss Defense Group Receives $40.6 Million in Orders for Husky 2G Vehicles

Tuesday, November 8th, 2022

New Contracts Will Support User Survivability, Route Clearance and Threat Detection

JESSUP, Md., Nov. 07, 2022 — AirBoss Defense Group (“ADG”), a subsidiary of AirBoss of America Corp. (“AirBoss”) today announced that it continues to build business momentum with a $35 million order for ten (10) Husky 2G counter-improvised explosive device (“C-IED”) vehicles. The vehicles will be equipped with a full complement of detection systems and periphery subsystems including ground penetrating radar (“GPR”), M20 Interrogation Arms, Rollover Detection Systems, thermal cameras and RPG-defeat netting. ADG is also responsible for providing comprehensive operator and maintainer training as well as spare parts and sustainment supplies to the customer. Delivery of the vehicles will take place over the next 16 months.

Furthermore, ADG, through its partner, DCD Protected (“DCD”), will be providing three (3) Husky 2G C-IED vehicles, peripheral detection and survivability systems to support a customer in West Africa, valued at up to $5.6 million. ADG and DCD will also be providing spare parts and sustainment supplies as well as comprehensive operator and maintainer training. This contract, with deliveries taking place over the next six months, will provide a critical, best-in-class route clearance and threat detection and interrogation capability that will aid in the ongoing war on terror and efforts to counter a growing extremist threat in the region.

Patrick Callahan, CEO of AirBoss Defense Group said, “AirBoss Defense Group is growing its worldwide leadership in survivability solutions, ranging from IED detection to high-risk environment personal protective equipment. The Husky 2G is a cornerstone product in our portfolio of survivability solutions and is the most survivable vehicle available on the battlefield, providing unparalleled route clearance capabilities to U.S allies around the world. ADG welcomes the opportunity to continue our long partnership with DCD to provide the proven and tested Husky 2G vehicle in support of global route clearance missions.”

These new orders build upon previous U.S. and foreign government procurement from ADG of Husky 2G C-IED vehicles, equipment, spare parts, and training to counter growing IED and landmine threats around the globe. ADG and DCD vehicles enable a rapid response to the growing international demand for proven route clearance and survivability solutions delivered by ADG. Built with a unique V-shaped hull and modular design, the Husky 2G C-IED protects operators from blast impacts, small arms fire, and challenging terrain while supporting sensor systems for threat detection, identification, and mitigation.

The two-operator Husky 2G clearance vehicle was developed to meet the operational requirement for longer, more complex, mounted clearance missions and the employment of more sophisticated vehicle payloads. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense as a U.S. Army Top Ten Invention, the 2G platform addresses evolving explosive threats while applying operationally proven survivability capabilities.

For more information, please visit www.adg.com.

Toyota Brings Overlanding From Down Under to Its SEMA Display

Thursday, November 3rd, 2022

Three Exotic Toyota Builds from Australia’s Patriot Campers Give Show Attendees a Glimpse into Aussie Off-Roading and Overlanding Fun

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 1, 2022) – When Justin Montesalvo – director of Patriot Campers, based in the gorgeous Gold Coast, Queensland, area of Australia – visited the SEMA Show, he came away inspired by the scale of the builds he saw at North America’s premier automotive aftermarket exhibition.

Montesalvo, who posts entertaining “Patriot Games” videos on his YouTube channel and Patriotgames.tv website featuring his team’s builds, clearly has a wealth of creativity and building skills. Yet everyone can benefit from seeing in person the off-road and overlanding creativity of colleagues around the globe.

With his newfound inspiration, Montesalvo set about creating three outrageous Patriot Campers machines: The FJ49, the LC79 Supertourer – affectionately dubbed the “Black Truck” – and the LC79 6×6 Megatourer.

“The Patriot Campers rigs are absolutely stunning and have quite the presence,” said Lisa Materazzo, group vice president – Toyota Division Marketing. “The creativity and workmanship are a testament to Justin Montesalvo and his team’s abilities. And let’s not forget his sons, Ashton and Christian, who cut their upgrading teeth on their own build, the FJ49.”

All builds are on display in Toyota’s 2022 SEMA Show exhibit (Central Hall, Booth No. 22200) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, a new and expanded space befitting of Toyota’s growing commitment to on- and off-road performance, excitement and adventure.

The FJ49: First Vehicle Dreams Do Come True

Twin brothers Christian and Ashton Montesalvo worked at Patriot Campers during school holidays since their pre-teen years, learning under their father’s tutelage and alongside expert mentors. Last year, the twins began searching for their first cars, and Ashton purchased a 1977 FJ45 Land Cruiser. Soon after, he, Christian, and dad started conceptualizing an FJ45 with modern technologies and components.

With dad and the Patriot Campers mentors’ guidance, coupled with years of Ashton’s hard-earned work savings as his budget, the brothers got to work, looking forward to testing their amassed skills. Obtaining a donor Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Series former mining vehicle, they swapped the engine, transmission, air conditioning, differentials and springs, leveraging this platform’s proven performance and reliability.

They then added a custom coil spring suspension up front, a JMACX heavy duty differential upgrade for the 79 series Land Cruiser leaf spring suspension and a stainless-steel exhaust system. Next came exterior additions like custom flares, bars and a tow bar; Warn® winch; LED driving lights and two light bars; an exo-cage engineered and fabricated by Patriot Campers; and a custom vehicle management system from Redarc Electronics®. To match the FJ49’s patina-inspired scheme, inside the brothers kept the retro look, only adding new upholstery, an overhead console and a Nardi® steering wheel.

The result is a rig that is dependable, comfortable and off-road capable, with pure retro appeal and charisma, proving dreams do come true.

The LC79 Supertourer: This Rig and a Patriot Campers X3 Trailer Extend Any Outback Journey

When Justin Montesalvo and his team dreamed up and built the LC79 Supertourer – affectionately named the “Black Truck” – the goal was a rig that was both aggressively good looking and fully capable of off-the-grid journeys. They started with a Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series GLX and extended the frame 11.8 inches to accommodate the Patriot Campers-designed Supertourer body.

Engine, suspension, wheel and tire upgrades, an air snorkel, an LED light package and light bar and front and rear winches help ensure trail versatility. A full suite of overlanding enhancements such as ample storage, a kitchenette, slide-out refrigerator, pop-up tent and platform, mini canopy, air compressor, water tank and navigation and communications systems round out the package.

In order to go farther, stay longer and extend the fun, the team hitched on a Patriots Campers X3 Trailer. Built to be tough, the X3 Trailer comes with an all-weather cabin with diesel tent heating and hot water as standard features. Ample interior and exterior storage, a PCOR® awning, a large outside kitchen, a slide-out 75-liter dual zone refrigerator freezer, 130 liters of water capacity from twin water tanks pumping hot water to the kitchen sink, a 1500-watt inverter, two 150-amp hour AGM Battery® gel batteries and a semi-integrated 80-watt solar panel provide all the comforts for the long haul.

The LC79 6×6 Megatourer: Extra Axle, Extra Wheels, All the Gear = Big Fun

Following the fanfare and praise of the Patriot Campers LC79 Supertourer, Montesalvo took his off-road and overlanding creativity to the next level. He began conceptualizing the possibilities and the challenges, leveraging the partner relationships that brought the Supertourer to life. With absolute confidence in his and his team’s expert capabilities, Montesalvo dreamed of a six-wheel off-pavement rig for overlanding journeys.

The result is the Megatourer. With a tough, purpose-built and aggressive look, Megatourer is real-world capable. It is the next generation of Supertourer styling with reworked rear toolboxes, angled sheet metal front and rear guards and on top of the Land Cruisers’ dual cab is an integrated Pioneer platform from Rhino for additional storage.

The team collaborated with JMACX Offroad Solutions to modify a Land Cruiser 79 Series chassis to accept an extra axle and wheels. The Custom 6×6 set up uses an Airbag Man adjustable custom air ride system with one-off TJM® shocks with adjustable height and damping, providing 8 inches of total lift. There are WP Pro Brakes with 14.2-inch discs and six-piston calipers behind ROH 18-inch wheels with Mickey Thompson® 37-inch mud tires.

Patriot Campers worked with GSL to rework the 4.2-liter inline 6-cylinder diesel engine, adding an upgraded turbocharger and lobster-back welded intake and turbocharger ducting. An air snorkel kit aids with the inevitable water-crossings.

Other accessories include X-Ray Vision dual row LED lightbars, a hoop-less slimline body-colored bull bar, twin angle-mounted spare tire carriers, front and rear TJM winches, two 240-liter Brown Davis replacement fuel tanks with auxiliary fuel distribution switch and pre-fuel filter kit, twin air-outlets to manage tire pressures, a 70L water tank and a lockable mini canopy with a 60-liter refrigerator.

A Nappa leather and suede-trim interior with an 8-inch Alpine screen and custom instrument consoles provide comfort and functionality. And behind the rear seat is a Redarc Electronics management system that powers two lithium and two AGM batteries, twin compressors, twin air tanks, solar panels and a full lighting system from X-Ray Vision.

With its full suite of trail versatility and its overlanding and base camp features, the Megatourer has everything needed for off-road adventure and exploration.

Toyota is displaying a variety of special concept vehicles showcasing off- and on-road performance and adventure as well as an array of production cars, trucks and SUVs in its exhibit at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 1-4, 2022.

Vehicles described are special project prototype vehicles, modified with parts and/or accessories not available from Toyota may void the vehicle’s warranty, may negatively impact vehicle performance and safety, and may not be street legal.