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Archive for the ‘Mobility’ Category

GAOS – Mudd Ox

Monday, February 13th, 2017

Mudd Ox is a US manufacturer of amphibious, all-terrain vehicles. While much of their business is recreational in nature, they have begun to gain traction in military markets internationally. Additionally, they have participated in several experiments by the services here in the US.

Mudd Ox offers various models which include both Mogas and Turbo Diesel powerplants. They all incorporate chain drive and have the option of skid steer which allows you to drive it like a tracked vehicle with counter rotating wheels on either side from tight maneuverability. Speaking of tracks, the all-terrain tires will accept band tracks for use on snow and soft terrain. The vehicles will accept up to six passengers and can be equipped with a flat, cargo deck to the rear along with PTO for generators as well as roll bars which can be lowered for getting into tight spaces. Winches are standard equipment and I wouldn’t operate one of these without one considering the terrain it is meant to negotiate.

muddox.net

Tags: Mudd Ox
Posted in GAOS, Mobility | 9 Comments »

AFSOC Takes Delivery of Christini All-Wheel Drive Motorcycles

Wednesday, December 28th, 2016

This photo if from recent New Equipment training by Fayetteville, NC-based Tactical Mobility Training for Air Force Special Operations Command’s recent purchase of Christini All-Wheel Drive motorcycles.

Tags: Christini
Posted in Air Force, Mobility, Training | 4 Comments »

Polaris Wins Canadian Special Forces Ultra-Light Combat Vehicle Contract

Wednesday, December 21st, 2016

MINNEAPOLIS (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.

www.polaris.com

Tags: Polaris Defense
Posted in Contracts, International, Mobility, Press Release, SOF | 9 Comments »

Heavy Duty Jack

Thursday, December 1st, 2016

This is pretty cool for all of you mounted guys.

Click to view .pdf

To see it in action, check out the video below:

Posted in Mobility | 14 Comments »

U.S. Marine Corps Orders 144 Diesel MRZRs from Polaris Defense

Friday, November 11th, 2016

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.

www.polarisdefense.com

Tags: Polaris, USMC
Posted in MARCORSYSCOM, Mobility, Press Release | 7 Comments »

AFSOC Selects Christini Technologies All Wheel Drive Motorcycles

Friday, October 14th, 2016

Christini Technologies Inc. (CTI) announces the awarding of a contract from the U.S. Air Force for the delivery of 54 CHRISTINI All Wheel Drive 450E Military Edition motorcycles. The award was the result of an open bidding process. Christini had previously delivered All Wheel Drive motorcycles to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Border Patrol, UK military, UAE, Jordan, and other NATO forces.

Steve Christini, CEO of CTI commented: “After rigorous testing and evaluation of our All Wheel Drive motorcycles by many different military units, Christini Technologies has emerged as the manufacturer providing the technology and capabilities required by the US Special Forces. This significant Air Force order validates the safety and performance benefits our AWD motorcycle technology provides to riders of all skill levels. The USAF had other options in conventional rear wheel drive machines, however, our AWD motorcycle better fit their needs for a safer and more capable motorcycle under the toughest of conditions. We are pleased to be able to offer a technology that will help accomplish the USAF missions and look forward to continuing to grow our sales and presence as a preferred provider for the US military.”

Christini AWD is partnering with Tactical Mobility Training (TMT) of Fayetteville, NC for the off road motorcycle training as well as maintenance training for the USAF. Over the past ten years, Tactical Mobility Training (TMT) has trained SOF forces of the military for troops deploying to Afghanistan, Africa, and the Middle East using a wide range of mobility equipment. To properly train our military, TMT sought to identify a platform that could traverse the same paths as horses and personnel; motorcycles were an obvious choice. After significant testing, and more than 200 troops riding the Christini AWD machines, TMT partnered with CTI to field a military grade motorcycle that was safer and more capable. The result is a specialized training program that takes personnel through flat, sandy, urban, and mountainous terrain to prove that motorcycles are a game-changer on the battlefield.

Individuals interested in purchasing a CHRISTINI AWD Motorcycle should contact the company at 215-351-9895 or visit the CHRISTINI AWD website at www.christini.com.

Posted in Contracts, Mobility, Press Release | 16 Comments »

The Army’s Architects Visit Polaris Product Development Center

Thursday, October 13th, 2016

MINNEAPOLIS (October 13, 2016) — General David Perkins, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and members of his staff visited Polaris on Wednesday. Gen. Perkins received product and technology demonstrations at the company’s state-of-the-art engineering and product development center in Wyoming, Minn. The trip is part of the TRADOC commander’s broad benchmarking initiative focused on innovative businesses to identify and support best practices necessary to drive evolution of Army procurement, operations, and engagement.

“As the architect of the Army, TRADOC is tasked with envisioning the future environment so as to identify capability gaps, analyze potential solutions and then determine requirements,” said Gen. Perkins. “Our stop at Polaris is one of many that will help us gain better insight into the rapid technology development and agile supportability paradigms in commercial enterprise, including focused innovation and insertion into applications relevant for the next generation of warfare.”

“At AUSA last week, we showcased our family of ultralight, off-road military vehicles – the best of what’s available today in enhanced tactical mobility – and the tremendous advantage in tactical and strategic mobility they bring to today’s military operations,” said John Olson, PhD, vice president and general manager of Polaris Defense. “Yesterday, we were given the opportunity to fast-forward and show Gen. Perkins and his staff a glimpse at how we leverage our 60 years of off-road vehicle experience to rapidly and affordability develop, test, and deliver the technology and vehicles needed to meet – at the speed of need – the evolving, challenging demands of the nation’s warfighters in the years and decades to come.”

The Polaris Product Development Center opened in Wyoming, Minn., in April 2005. In addition to military technology and advanced vehicle development, the approximately 300,000 square foot facility houses research and development of Victory Motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), RANGER utility vehicles, and Polaris Engines. Capabilities include world-class prototype fabrication and assembly capabilities, laboratories for structural testing, electrical development, materials engineering, and powertrain assembly and dynamometer testing. It also was one of the first facilities to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, created by the United States Green Building Council.

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 flagship DAGOR, which expands upon the range, payload and off-road mobility of any previous tactical light 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 service and support is scalable worldwide and includes military vehicle training, service and maintenance. It also can be supplemented internationally through the Polaris network of distributors, building on the global strength of the Polaris commercial enterprise. 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.