Archive for the ‘Mobility’ Category
Hill People Gear Presents – Longhouse: Vehicle Preparedness
Tuesday, June 13th, 2017Polaris Wins Canadian Special Forces Ultra-Light Combat Vehicle Contract
Wednesday, May 24th, 2017MINNEAPOLIS (December 20, 2016) — Public Works and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has awarded its Ultra-Light Combat Vehicle (ULCV) contract to Polaris, following an open and competitive bid process. The $15.5 USD million contract includes DAGOR vehicles, maintenance and operator training, spare parts, and the option for additional vehicles (at an additional cost) to meet the requirements of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM).
Ultralight ground mobility is at the forefront of many military’s needs – especially the Canadian Special Forces, which can deploy on extremely short notice for counter-terrorism operations and other time-sensitive Special Operation Forces (SOF) missions. The DAGOR ultra-light combat vehicle is just as deployable and was designed to be modular and light-weight to support a variety of expeditionary missions.
The ULCV contract is structured to provide CANSOFCOM with a custom vehicle to meet Canada’s unique SOF requirement. The flexible DAGOR platform will undergo engineering and mission configurations to incorporate new features and capabilities, including redesigned payload configuration, weapons mounts, electrical system improvements, and integrated communication systems. The final vehicle configuration, testing, and production of the ULCV will be a collaborative effort with CANSOFCOM.
“We are extremely pleased to have won the contract following the competitive process to provide our DAGOR vehicles to CANSOFCOM as this major international program award builds on our strong current domestic base,” said John Olson, PhD, vice president and general manager of Polaris Government and Defense. “We are proud to partner with the Canadian government and industry to deliver this ground mobility capability and the lifecycle support to smartly sustain it. Our program management, engineering, operations, and logistics teams are looking forward to working closely with our Canadian customer.
Olson added, “We greatly appreciated PSPC’s professionalism and found the ULCV procurement to be rigorous, thorough and well-executed as they delivered clear requirements, were extremely responsive to industry questions, and crisply executed the entire effort.”
With seating for up to nine, DAGOR comprises the optimal balance of rapid air transportability, payload capacity and advanced mobility. DAGOR gives an advantage back to dismounted warfighters, allowing formations to move faster, carry more and significantly reduce combat fatigue. And its weight and size allow it to be internally transportable on a variety of in-service aircraft, including CH-47 and C-130.
Polaris Government and 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 Government and 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.
82nd Continues To Evaluate Polaris DAGOR
Monday, April 3rd, 2017
The 82nd Abn Div has been evaluating DAGOR light wheeled vehicles by Polaris. DAGOR was the Polaris Defense submission for the US Army’s Ultra Light Combat Vehicle program and have been with the Division for several months. Most recently, they were used at Ft Bragg’s Air Assault School, offering students with an opportunity to slingload the vehicle.
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the 2nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, lifts a polaris dagor in support of the XVIII Airborne Corps’ DeGlopper Air Assault School on Fort Bragg, N.C., Mar. 23, 2017. (U.S. Army Photos by Capt. Adan Cazarez)
Ft Bragg Warfighter Expo – Speedbox
Thursday, March 16th, 2017
I’ve mentioned Speedbox in the past and I was glad to see them at Ft Bragg. Not only is the inventor a fellow 3rd Group Veteran, but this is exactly the kind of thing that units on Ft Bragg can use to improve mobility. Speedbox is designed specifically to be stacked on a USAF 463L pallet, taking the puzzle solving out of a building a pallet. It’s waterproof, durable, lockable, stackable, and wheeled, making it easier to move a fully loaded Speedbox around.
Here’s a reminder of what Speedbox brings to the table:
Durability
This has always been an issue with plastic containers. Speedbox solved this by implementing advanced engineering in the geometrical design of the container, using structural foam on the interior surfaces, and devoting an ample amount of raw compound in each 50 lbs unit. This is the most durable container on the market.
Mobility
A typical fully-loaded container ready for deployment can easily weigh 250 lbs. requiring a four-man carry. Speedbox addressed this issue by incorporating two simple machines, the lever and the wheel. The lever on the Speedbox is the retracting handle made from two ¾ inch aluminum rods. These rods are attached to a 2 lb. aluminum locking block which is secured by angle iron that reinforces the stress points. The wheels are 10 inch off-road, heavy-duty, no-flat tires. They will never go flat because there’s no air in them. The combination of the lever and the wheel make it easy for a single person to quickly move heavy loads across uneven surfaces (like landing zones at FOBs).
Integrated
Most military oriented cases are not ideal for stacking given their smooth sides or irregular shapes. Unlike these traditional cases, Speedboxes fit together like Legos. The feet and wheels nest into each lid below. The side walls nest with adjacent Speedboxes, and the fronts and back interlock through the use of a built-in tether. When Speedbox is used as a system, it creates the most stable, easily loaded and transportable pallet solution to date.
Speedbox is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business proudly manufactured in the USA.
463-L SpeedBox Load-out Video on Vimeo.
More information can be found at www.speedbox.us
Ft Bragg Warfighter Expo – Stabil Grippers
Thursday, March 16th, 2017I’ve shown you Stabil Ice removable outsoles in the past for use on snow and ice. Manufacturer Stabil also offers Stabil Grippers, to help keep you on your feet on slippery, wet surfaces, like found at swimming pools and maintenance facilities as well as at dining facilities and hospitals.
They slip right over your standard footwear and are easily removed when not needed.
Stabil Grippers are available to government customers exclusively through ADS.
IWA – Hornet Special Operations Vehicle
Thursday, March 2nd, 2017
Built from a modified Turbo Diesel, Toyota Hi-Lux, the Hornet Special Operations Vehicle was designed to offer off-road mobility in desert conditions. Lessons learned from Arctic Trucks were applied to the Hornet due to the similar traction challenges in a sandy environment. They use 315/70 R17 tires which offers a wider footprint for grip and lower ground pressure. Additionally, they have an onboard tire inflation/deflation system.
The Hornet can be configured for right or left hand drive with automatic or manual transmissions. Additionally, the buy can choose between the 2.4 liter or 3.0 liter Turbocharged Diesel engines. The Hornet has a 4.56 final drive differential ratio with ARB front and rear diff locks. It features a 142 liter fuel tank and 24v system.
It is also CH-47 transportable and has a MIRA certified rollover protection system. There is also a removable A-pillar and header roof rail for commander. As you can see from the photos, the truck can be fitted with a variety of weapin mounts including a traversing ring. Another interesting feature is that there incorprated a CASEVAC system.
US Marine Corps’ ACV Competition Gathers Pace as Morgan Advanced Materials Teams with SAIC for Vehicle Protection
Wednesday, March 1st, 2017Sixteen development prototypes for the U.S. Marine Corps’ next-generation Amphibious Combat Vehicles 1.1 (ACVs) will be fitted with special composite armour systems from Morgan Advanced Materials, after the business was awarded a contract with Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC).
The Composites and Defence Systems business of Morgan will supply a complete composite armour solution, consisting of appliqué armour and spall liners which are part of its established CAMAC® composite platform armour portfolio. Furthermore, Morgan will deliver lightweight composite flotation boxes, specifically designed to fit the vehicle’s geometry. The development of this high performance, low mass armour system is a result of working with leading materials and decades of engineering experience in ballistic and blast protective technologies.
The selection of Morgan’s armour solution and composite flotation boxes is the latest stage of a wider tender process from the Marine Corps. SAIC is one of two prime contractors selected to develop next-generation ACV 1.1s for the Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase of this competition. Once completed, the company’s prototypes will be tested in 2017, with the potential for both SAIC’s design and Morgan’s CAMAC® armour to be down selected for the full programme.
Duncan Eldridge, President of Morgan’s Composites and Defence Systems business, commented: “We are honoured to be selected by SAIC to deliver the armour solution and composite floatation boxes for their ACV. Our platform armour solutions are a result of extensive materials and product development, ensuring our armour delivers outstanding multi-hit protection at an extraordinarily low weight. This is the latest in a number of significant project wins for our composites and defence business, and is a huge endorsement of Morgan’s composite armour technology and product development team.”
For further information, please visit:
www.morgandefencesystems.com
Polaris Launches Second Turbo Diesel MRZR in Same Year
Monday, February 20th, 2017MINNEAPOLIS (Feb. 20, 2017) — Polaris Government & Defense, a division of the global powersports leader Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), today announced the expansion of the MRZR® platform to now include a two-seat turbo diesel (MRZR-D2), less than one year from the launch of the first turbo diesel MRZR, a four-seat version. As part of a highly innovative commercial company, Polaris Government & Defense provides customers with the best technology and capabilities tailored to their needs – backed by robust, large-scale design, development, testing and production of those vehicles.
“In 2013 we introduced the MRZR, which led to a rapid fielding of a critical capability for Special Forces, and subsequently the selection of the MRZR as the platform for the SOCOM LTATV Program,” said Jed Leonard, director, Polaris Government & Defense. “The pursuit of innovation and capability improvement at Polaris continues. And with the launch of the two-seat variant, our customers have even greater flexibility for their missions and can choose between gas, diesel, and now two or four seats for their MRZRs.”
The MRZR-D2 complements the current platform line-up, which are all V-22 transportable and modular in design.
-MRZR 2: Gas, 2-4 seats, 1 litter mount, 1,000 lb payload
-MRZR 4: Gas, 4-6 seats, 2 litter mounts, 1,500 lb payload
-NEW MRZR-D2: Diesel, 2-4 seats, 1 litter mount, 1,000 lb payload, 80 percent more range than gas, more auxiliary power
-MRZR-D4: Diesel, 4-6 seats, 2 litter mounts, 1,500 lb payload, 80 percent more range than gas, more auxiliary power
The MRZR platform is flexible and modular to support uses ranging from rapid personnel deployment, to command and control, casualty evacuation to supply transport missions. The vehicles are proven, affordable, reliable and easily maintained throughout the lifecycle with a commercial supply chain and the Polaris global network. MRZRs have redefined ultralight, off-road mobility for military vehicles and are mission critical for expeditionary forces in the U.S. and allied countries to meet current and future mission demands and threats. And because MRZRs are in service throughout the world, there is a high degree of interoperability and commonality among U.S. and allied forces.
