JB sends from the DR.
Archive for the ‘Mobility’ Category
Attn Brandon Whorley…The Jeep
Sunday, June 2nd, 2019Rampart Range Day 19 – Brenergy 6T Li-on 24v Battery by Bren-Tronics
Wednesday, May 29th, 2019Gone are the days of dual Lead-Acid 12v batteries in military vehicles with 24v systems. Bren-Tronics, makers of military batteries and charging systems has introduced Brenergy 6T 24v Lithium Ion batteries.
Likely to continue to be used in pairs (or more) on tactical military vehicles, it will output up to 3.2kWh and offers a capacity of Capacity 2.7kWh (Power), 3.2kWh (Energy). The battery weighs 42lbs and will last 3,000 cycles.
Bren-Tronics products are available in Canada from Rampart International.
m
The Armored Group, LLC Enters the South Asian Market
Wednesday, May 29th, 2019The Armored Group Now Providing Armored Vehicles to U.S. Ally Bangladesh
(Phoenix, AZ – May 21, 2019) The Armored Group, LLC (TAG) has announced the delivery of seven Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT®-X) armored vehicles to Bangladesh, a brand-new market for the armored vehicle manufacturer. The vehicles will be used by local law enforcement departments. In addition to providing the vehicles, The Armored Group also developed a comprehensive training program for over 20 police officers that will be using the vehicles.
The BATT-X can carry 10 officers, depending on the size of the operators and amount of gear. It was designed to comfortably accommodate law enforcement agencies and tactical teams while offering the highest level of security features such as the B7/NIJ IV+ .50 Cal Ball Ammo Protection or B7/NIJ III Armor Levels.
These particular vehicles were customized with partial V-bottom hulls for increased blast, which is unique on the F550. In addition, individual blast seats were installed.
Other features include:
• Blast mitigating floor.
• Internal armored firewall.
• Rifle-rated roof protection.
• Fully armored hood clip.
• TAG Exclusive Flip Forward Front Clip System
• Best-in-class climate control system.
• Dual heating and air conditioning systems in front and back.
• Oversized rear deployment bumper with steps.
• Front door lockout ability at 90° and 45°.
• Rear door lockout ability at 90° and at full open
• Heavy Duty Oversized Running Boards
• Optic-ready gun ports.
• Four-wheel drive off-road capabilities.
• Enclosed under-seat storage in rear compartment with back board slat cut outs
• 360° Rotating Turret with Oversized flush-mounted sniper step.
• Roof Hatches
• Emergency Lights and Siren System
“We are happy to enter the South Asian market and help our allies in Bangladesh. Both of our countries have shared values in the matters of regional and global security and counter terrorism. In fact, they were a key participant in Obama’s international development initiatives including food security, healthcare and environmental concerns,” said Robert Pazderka, President and founder of The Armored Group. “This new alliance with Bangladesh has opened the doors for TAG to provide the highest level of protection to our allies in South Asia and keep those fighting for positive changes as safe as possible.
The comprehensive TAG training program included the following Technical, Mechanical and Driving training programs:
Technical training:
· Training on all the accessories and their functions:
o Gunport operation
o Door operation (various angles, lockout function)
o front winch operations
o STIS compressor operations
o Turret functionality and movability
o Police lights, strobe lights, infrared lights operations
o OEM (original equipment manufacturer) operations of the vehicle
Mechanical Training
· Training of how to maintain the vehicle and how to do preventative maintenance
· Daily inspections to be conducted before vehicle can be deployed
· Service Maintenance (Oil change, Oil filter change, Transmission fluid change, Steering fluid change, Battery monitoring and signals to look for when to replace the battery, fuel filter replacement, AC filter replacement, Air filter replacement)
· General Maintenance (Lubrication of all joints, Hinges, bearings)
· Scheduled maintenance timings (When the vehicle should have a service and when the parts needs to be checked or replaced)
Driving Training
· Each trainee had to learn how to drive the BATT X
o Operating various functions while driving
o Emergency brake testing
o Various maneuvering techniques
o General driving safety principals
SOFIC 19 – ZERO Motorcycles MMX
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2019The ZERO MMX features a 100% electric power train, allowing nearly silent movement over complex terrain.
The MMX offers a top sport of 85 mph and 78 ft lb of peak torque. It uses a swappable lithium ion intelligence modular battery and features a clutchless direct drive.
It features a range of 79 miles in the city or 65 to 175 minutes of recon riding or 45 to 155 minutes of aggressive Tactical riding.
zeromotorcycles.com/fleet/military
Introducing HPG Mobility
Friday, May 10th, 2019
From the time they were kids in 1970s Alaska, Hill People Gear’s founders Scot and Evan Hill had lots of experience getting vehicles stuck in the backcountry. That led to a lifelong interest in NOT getting stuck miles from nowhere. They’ve always tried to have vehicles capable enough to get them to remote locations for their wilderness adventures and then back again with minimal fuss.
The Barney brothers – Colorado boys and Eagle Scouts just like the Hill brothers – have been working on Scot and Evan’s rigs for the last 7 years at their Grand Junction shop Barney Brothers Off Road. When Chad Barney pointed out the pseudo-PALS molded seatbacks on the new Jeep JL Rubicon and said “hey, do you think you could build some good bags for this location?”, the idea for HPG Mobility was born. The Hill Brothers have been building solutions to problems in their own rigs for decades, why not do the same for others?
HPG Mobility takes the Hill People Gear design ethos and applies it to products for vehicles. Initial offerings include pouches designed for JL Rubicon seatbacks and other MOLLE vehicle applications and Hi-Lift mounts for factory roof fails. The HPG Mobility line will continue to expand over time.
HPG Mobility products are making their debut next weekend at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff AZ. They’re also available directly online at hpgmobility.com and on a wholesale basis from barneybrothersmobility.com.
The Dutch Armed Forces Select Rheinmetall to Modernize Their Bergepanzer 3 Büffel Armoured Recovery Vehicles
Wednesday, May 1st, 2019The Dutch armed forces select Rheinmetall to modernize their Bergepanzer 3 Büffel armoured recovery vehicles, making them a match for today’s operational requirements
Rheinmetall is to modernize the Dutch military’s fleet of Bergepanzer 3 Büffel (‘buffalo’) armoured recovery vehicles. A contract to this effect was signed on 18 April 2019 at Soesterberg, a military base near Utrecht. In a first phase, four vehicles will undergo a combat performance upgrade. The order is worth a double-digit million-euro figure. In a second phase, a further 21 vehicles are to undergo corresponding modernization. This option, also worth a figure in the double-digit euro range, already features in the contract.
Starting immediately, Rheinmetall will completely overhaul the Royal Netherlands Army’s Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARVs, bringing them up to the latest technological and tactical standard. This will extend the service life of these tried-and-tested combat support vehicles – developed by Rheinmetall on the basis of the Leopard 2 chassis – through to the year 2040. The Dutch armed forces will take delivery of the first vehicles at the beginning of 2021.
Modernization work will take place at Rheinmetall locations in Germany as well as in Ede in the Netherlands. It will include a complete overhaul of the individual armoured recovery vehicles and a new digital operating concept; the installation of advanced visualization technology; mission packages featuring ballistic and mine protection; and new battlefield recovery equipment together as well as a universal transport platform. Also included in the contract are technical documentation, training and other services.
This service life extension will give the Dutch armed forces a reconfigured state-of-the-art ARV with significant growth potential. New force protection features both on and in the vehicle will keep the crew extremely safe from modern battlefield threats. Cutting-edge visualization systems, digital operating elements and command systems will support the crew while carrying out their tasks. Furthermore, new battlefield recovery equipment will boost the vehicle’s tactical effectiveness. It will be transferred to the rear section of the vehicle. This will let the crew hook up to a damaged Royal Dutch Army vehicle such as the Bushmaster, Boxer, CV 90 infantry fighting vehicle, PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, Leguan bridge-laying tank, Kodiak combat engineering vehicle or the Leopard 2 main battle tank without having to leave the safety of the fighting compartment, before towing it from the battlefield at high speed in forward gear. In addition, the modified version of the Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARV will feature a flexible-use universal transport platform mounted on the rear section of the vehicle. To cite just one example, this can be used for carrying equipment for recovering other vehicles. The new equipment has already demonstrated its effectiveness during deployed operations.
This contract confirms the emergence of a new standard for modern armoured recovery vehicles. As recently as December 2018, the Bundeswehr contracted with Rheinmetall to modernize its fleet of Bergepanzer 3 vehicles, ensuring they remain a match for current and future operational scenarios. Similar mission configurations are in service with the armed forces of NATO member Canada as well as Sweden.
Already underway, the service life extension of the Royal Netherlands Army’s armoured recovery vehicles underscores once again Rheinmetall’s comprehensive expertise when it comes to the globe-spanning Leopard 2 family. This expertise extends from maintenance and modernization programmes to advanced armament concepts, and from the production and technical knowledge of the system’s original equipment manufacturer right through to comprehensive technical and logistic support for entire vehicle fleets – including service support during deployed operations. The portfolio of the Düsseldorf-based high-tech group for mobility and security also includes training and simulation solutions for Leopard 2 crews.
Nikola Reckless
Tuesday, April 30th, 2019SOFWERX partnered with Nikola, Planck, Profense and AimLock to create the Nikola Reckless. This technology is a weaponized, remotely piloted vehicle for exploration of man-machine teaming.
The Reckless goes from 0-60 MPH in four seconds flat thanks to its four independant electric motors which directly drive each wheel. This also means it will still get you or your payload there, even if one motor is damaged. Additionally, it has a low thermal signature thanks to its refrigerant cooling system.
Marine Corps Plans to Replace LAV with New, ‘Transformational’ ARV
Wednesday, April 24th, 2019MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —
The Marine Corps plans to begin replacing its legacy Light Armored Vehicle with a modern Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle late in the next decade.
The ARV will be highly mobile, networked, transportable, protected and lethal. The capability will provide, sensors, communication systems and lethality options to overmatch threats that have historically been addressed with more heavily armored systems.
“The ARV will be an advanced combat vehicle system, capable of fighting for information that balances competing capability demands to sense, shoot, move, communicate and remain transportable as part of the naval expeditionary force,” said John “Steve” Myers, program manager for MCSC’s LAV portfolio.
Since the 1980s, the LAV has supported Marine Air-Ground Task Force missions on the battlefield. While the LAV remains operationally effective, the life cycle of this system is set to expire in the mid-2030s. The Corps aims to replace the vehicle before then.
Marine Corps Systems Command has been tasked with replacing the vehicle with a next-generation, more capable ground combat vehicle system. In June 2016, the Corps established an LAV Way-Ahead, which included the option to initiate an LAV Replacement Program to field a next-generation capability in the 2030s.
Preliminary planning, successful resourcing in the program objectives memorandum and the creation of an Office of Naval Research science and technology program have set the conditions to begin replacing the legacy LAV with the ARV in the late-2020s.
“The Marine Corps is examining different threats,” said Kimberly Bowen, deputy program manager of Light Armored Vehicles. “The ARV helps the Corps maintain an overmatched peer-to-peer capability.”
The Office of Naval Research has begun researching advanced technologies to inform requirements, technology readiness assessments and competitive prototyping efforts for the next-generation ARV.
The office is amid a science and technology phase that allows them to conduct advanced technology research and development, modeling and simulation, whole system trade studies and a full-scale technology demonstrator fabrication and evaluation.
These efforts will inform the requirements development process, jump-start industry and reduce risk in the acquisition program.
The office is also supporting the Ground Combat Element Division of the Capabilities Development Directorate by performing a trade study through the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center in Michigan. This work will help to ensure ARV requirements are feasible and to highlight the capability trade space.
ONR has partnered with industry to build two technology demonstrator vehicles for evaluation. The first is a base platform that will comprise current, state-of-the-art technologies and standard weapons systems designed around a notional price point. The second is an “at-the-edge” vehicle that demonstrates advanced capabilities.
“The purpose of those vehicles is to understand the technology and the trades,” said Myers.
In support of acquisition activities, PM LAV anticipates the release of an acquisition program Request for Information in May 2019 and an Industry Day later in the year to support a competitive prototyping effort. The Corps expects a Material Development Decision before fiscal year 2020.
“We will take what we’ve learned in competitive prototyping,” said Myers. “Prior to a Milestone B decision, we’ll be working to inform trade space, inform requirements and reduce risk.”
The Corps believes the ARV will support the capability demands of the next generation of armored reconnaissance.
“This vehicle will equip the Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion within the Marine Divisions to perform combined arms, all-weather, sustained reconnaissance and security missions in support of the ground combat element,” said Myers. “It’s expected to be a transformational capability for the Marine Corps.”
Story by Matt Gonzales, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication | Marine Corps Systems Command
Photo by photo by Cpl Codey Underwood, USMC
