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Archive for the ‘Mobility’ Category

Supacat Launches HMT Light Weight Recovery in Defence Industry First for Light Weight (Air Portable) Recovery Vehicle Programme

Sunday, September 10th, 2017

The global defence industry’s most versatile Light Weight Recovery (LWR) vehicle will be unveiled by UK high mobility vehicle specialist, Supacat, at DSEi in London. The 10.5 tonne HMT Light Weight Recovery (HMT LWR) has been developed by Supacat to fill a capability gap to recover vehicles operating in hard to access urban and rural locations as required by the UK MoD’s Light Weight (Air Portable) Recovery Capability (LW(AP)RC) programme.

The 6×6 HMT LWR offers high levels of agility, off-road performance and protection in common with Supacat’s High Mobility Transporter (HMT) family, which includes `Jackal` and `Coyote` now within UK MoD’s Core Fleet. HMT LWR utilises many HMT design features such as the variable height air suspension system, engine and drive line that have been battle proven in numerous theatres. Blast and ballistic protection has been built into the chassis providing the optimum protection for its weight of 10.5 tonnes.

HMT LWR utilises an innovative new Supacat designed technology, `Supalift` (patent pending), which extends the range of vehicles that can be recovered by a light weight recovery vehicle. HMT LWR’s recovery system can be operated both in conventional mode and by the operator engaging `Supalift`, which increases the maximum lifting weight of the recovery system by up to 50%. In conventional mode the HMT LWR recovery system lifts a maximum recovered vehicle axle mass of 3.8 tonnes and in `Supalift` mode rises to 6.1 tonnes (specification based on recovering an HMT 400 `Jackal 2`). `Supalift` technology is based on the principle of distributing the weight of the casualty vehicle more evenly over the recovery vehicle.

Phil Applegarth, Head of Supacat, said, “HMT LWR provides customers with a highly versatile and cost effective light weight recovery capability, with the flexibility to recover a wide range of vehicles. We are very proud of our engineering team in developing `Supalift`, which finally makes a light weight recovery vehicle a reality and is a game-changer in extending the lifting capability of recovery systems for defence and other industry sectors”.

HMT LWR is fitted with a specially designed Boniface and Miller Century 2465 hamper and a Rotzler TR80 main winch. These will be fitted as standard but as with all HMT platforms the modular hamper design can be reconfigured to suit any role.

At last year’s DVD show Supacat revealed the concept demonstrator for the LW(AP)RC programme as one of several new variants of the HMT platform. This has since been developed as HMT LWR to full prototype, which will be displayed on Supacat’s DSEi stand N9-360.

“HMT LWR also demonstrates the flexibility of the HMT platform in being configurable to different roles to meet the needs of current and future programmes”, said Phil Applegarth, Head of Supacat.

www.supacat.com

Tags: Supacat
Posted in DSEi, Mobility, Press Release | Comments Off on Supacat Launches HMT Light Weight Recovery in Defence Industry First for Light Weight (Air Portable) Recovery Vehicle Programme

Polymule – A New Take On The Handcart, Now On Kickstarter

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017

Prepare for the coming apocalypse, or any other adventure life throws your way with the Polymule. This handcart will support up to 350 lbs and 15 cu ft of cargo. It can also be broken down, with all components in the body, for storage or transportation. Toolless assembly can be accomplished in less than five minutes.

The side rails are not only for pulling or pushing the Polymule, but also serve as a kickstand.

Additionally, there is an optional cover.

www.kickstarter.com

Tags: Kickstarter
Posted in Mobility | 16 Comments »

DPS Skis Inks Deal MultiCam to Produce Military and Tactical Skis – Innovative Product to be Showcased at ADS, Inc.’s Warrior Expo

Thursday, July 13th, 2017

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – July 10, 2017 – DPS, makers of the world’s most advanced pre-pregnated carbon skis, has entered into an agreement with MultiCam® to produce skis that feature the MultiCam Alpine™ pattern. DPS will offer these specialty skis to the military and tactical market through a new custom order program.

The MultiCam Alpine™ pattern was developed to effectively reduce the visual and near-IR signature of a person operating in snow-covered environments. The pattern of the graphic is intended to be used in every area of operation that receives significant snowfall.

Although the MultiCam Alpine™ pattern employed in this program will primarily be coupled with DPS’ award-winning lightweight Tour1 family of skis, the distinctive pattern can also be paired with any DPS model. To demonstrate the possibilities of this program, DPS prototyped a pair of 2017/18 Alchemist Wailer 99s with the snow-specific camouflage graphic.

DPS will showcase the new product at ADS Inc.’s Warrior Expo East, a premier industry event designed to bring innovative operational solutions together with military, government, and law enforcement professionals.

For more information, and to view a pair of these exceptional tactical tools, visit booth #1309 at the Warrior Expo East show in Virginia Beach, Virginia July 13-14, 2017.

Tags: ADS Inc, DPS
Posted in ADS, Mobility, Mountaineering, Multicam, Press Release, Warrior Expo | 8 Comments »

Hill People Gear Presents – Longhouse: Vehicle Preparedness

Tuesday, June 13th, 2017

Tags: Hill People Gear
Posted in Mobility | 2 Comments »

Polaris Wins Canadian Special Forces Ultra-Light Combat Vehicle Contract

Wednesday, May 24th, 2017

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.

military.polaris.com/en-us

Tags: Polaris
Posted in International, Mobility, Press Release | 17 Comments »

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)

Tags: Polaris Defense
Posted in Mobility | 3 Comments »

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

Tags: Speedbox
Posted in Mobility, Veterans, Warrior Expo | 2 Comments »

Ft Bragg Warfighter Expo – Stabil Grippers

Thursday, March 16th, 2017

I’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.