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Archive for the ‘Mobility’ Category

Lundhags – Husky Ski

Tuesday, December 29th, 2015

I remember first seeing Lundhags Ski March boots in the 80s-era Survival Aids catalogs from the UK. Lessons from the Falkland campaign were still fresh in their minds and keeping feet dry in cold-wet conditions was a particular onsession considering the unsuitability of issue footwear.

Lundhags still offers the same style of boot, slightly updated over the years. There are versions for 75mm bindings as well as for 87-91mm. In either case, they feature a Goodwell Ski Sole, Rubber Lowers incorporating EVA construction and TPU Plastic Toe Cap as well as Laced Leather Uppers with removable 5mm Wool Felt Linings. The last is designed so as to accommodate an additional layer of socks.

For those of you who are looking for similar construction without the touring ski compatibility, check out Lundhags’ Professional series.

www.lundhags.se/product-2/16318/husky_ski

Tags: Lundhags
Posted in Boots, Mobility, Mountaineering | 9 Comments »

Milipol – Air K Marine

Friday, November 20th, 2015

Milipol is host to numerous vehicle system but they are generally armored security vehicles. However, Air K Marine’s Hoverfly 580 hovercraft is something entirely different.

At over 20 feet long 10 feet wide it boasts a crew of one and up to five passengers. The Hoverfly 580 will do 54 knots on smooth ice, 30 knots on smooth water and 20 knots on smooth land.

www.airkmarine.com

Tags: Air K Marine
Posted in Maritime, Milipol, Mobility | 2 Comments »

Supacat LRV 400 ‘Mark 2’

Thursday, October 1st, 2015

Unveiled at the recent DSEI in London, the Supacat LRV 400 ‘Mark 2’ features a chassis based on the Land Rover Discovery. The reason it is referred to as a Mark 2 variant is that the design has received an overhaul after its initial sighting during DSEI 2013.

With a top speed of 100mph/160km, the LRV 400 has a range of 800km. It is CH-47 internally transportable. It is designed for a crew of 3 or 4 supported by an operational payload of 1700kg with a gross weight of 4200kg. This Light Reconnaissance Vehicle is powered by a V6 3.0 turbo diesel providing 256 bhp and 600Nm Torque with an 8 speed automatic transmission and high and low permanent 4WD with centre diff lock.

Here are a few shots of the driver and passenger positions.

The spare tire can be swung to the outside of the roll cage or toward the interior to make the vehicle narrower for rapid ingress and egress of aircraft.

These are a few additional photos of the rear compartment of the LRV 400.

Additionally, the truck incorporates reinforcement bars along the frame like a commercial off-road vehicle. While it isn’t much of a step, it could also be used to transport personnel a short distance such as assaulters.

The LRV 400 offers a very interesting capability. You see those four bolts in the photo below? You can insert an additional axel at that point transforming the LRV 400 from a 4×4 to a 6×6 design and lengthen the bed as well as increase carrying capacity.

supacat.com/products/lrv400

Tags: Supacat
Posted in DSEi, Mobility | 19 Comments »

Humdinga 4×4 from Gibbs Technologies

Tuesday, September 29th, 2015

During the recent DSEI show in London we saw the Humdinga, an amphibious 4×4 vehicle from Gibbs Technologies. It combines a carbon fiber hull with a water jet propulsion system. This combination means that the Humdinga will plane in conditions up to sea state 3 and maintain headway in sea state 4 with a maximum speed underway of 30mph. The range is 100 miles in water and 150 ashore. The suspension retracts at the push of a button in less than 5 seconds.

This is the rear deck area of the Humdinga. It’s got ample space for rescue operations as well as a table for a nice lunch. The maximum payload is 1,000kg but by removing the cabin roof, it can be extended to 2,000kg.

gibbsamphitrucks.com

Tags: Gibbs Technologies
Posted in DSEi, Maritime, Mobility | 9 Comments »

MDM – Amphibious Combat Vehicle

Friday, September 25th, 2015

Proposed solution for Phase I of the USMC’s Amphibious Combat Vehicle program dominated the show floor with four companies displaying their systems. ACV is intended as a replacement for the Amphibious Assault Vehicle and replaces the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program cancelled in 2011. Phase I plans to purchase COTS wheeled vehicles which can be brought ashore using LCACs. Eventually, phase II will result in an actual amphibious armored vehicle that can come ashore under its own steam from the do well of an amphibious assault ship.

BAE Systems

General Dynamics

Lockheed Martin

SAIC

Posted in Maritime, MDM, Mobility | 27 Comments »

MDM – Reinmetall Defense – Wiesel 2

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015

There are a lot of vehicles at Moden Day Marine, but the one that actually surprised me was the Reinmetall Defence Wiesel 2. I spoke with one of the representatives at the booth and he explained that they recently attended the Maneuver Conference at Ft Benning as they showcase the vehicle for an Army armored gun requirement. They are at Modern Day Marine because the Marines have a mortar vehicle requirement.

The base vehicle dates from the 1980s and the slightly larger Wiesel 2 on display, sports an additional road wheel than its predecessor. This means almost twice as much internal volume. It is 4.78 meters long, 2.17 meters high, and 1.87 meters wide. Its weight is 4.78 metric tons (about 10,500 lbs). It is airdroppable and airtransportable in the CH-53.

Interestingly, the US Army Ranger Regiment experimented with the Wiesel in the mid-1990s during a series of armored vehicle trials. Wiesels have also more recently been evaluated during UGV trials here in the US.

www.rheinmetall-defence.com

Tags: Rheinmetall Defense
Posted in MDM, Mobility | 24 Comments »

DSEI – Torpedo SEAL

Friday, September 18th, 2015

The Torpedo SEAL is a wet submerible for up to two combat swimmers from James Fisher Defense. It can be transported in a NATO Standard 533mm torpedo tube and has a range of up to 10nm at a maximum speed of 4kts thanks to its onboard lithium polymer batteries.

Yes, that long, diagonal beast in the background is the Torpedo SEAL’s big brother the SEAL Carrier which will deliver a 6-man team up to 30nm.

Here are some basic specs:

Above, you can see the controls of the mini-sub.

jfdefence.com/sealpod/torpedo

Tags: James Fisher Defense
Posted in DSEi, Maritime, Mobility | 10 Comments »

DSEI – Sand-X Motors

Friday, September 18th, 2015

Looking like a hybrid ATV and snow machine, the T-ATV 1200 Tracked All Terrain Vehicle by SAND-X MOTORS is certainly unconventional.

Available in military and civilian configurations, the T-ATV 1200 Tracked All Terrain Vehicle is engineered in Switzerland by SAND-X MOTORS. It is designed to operate in all terrains including sand, snow, all types of roads as well as rocky terrains from -50°C to +60°C. The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds and can reach a top speed of 185 km/h.

sand-x.com

Tags: SAND-X MOTORS
Posted in DSEi, Mobility | 2 Comments »