Small unit mobility continues to be a key requirement, with several companies offering solutions including ATV Corp.
Archive for the ‘Mobility’ Category
SOFIC – ATV Corp Prowler
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012SOLIC – Polaris Defense Non-Pneumatic Tire
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
The Polaris Defense Non-Pneumatic Tire doesn’t go flat. It makes a great companion for their MRZR 2 & 4 all terrain vehicles.
The BHI Gauer
Thursday, May 17th, 2012We happen to love Pinzgauers and Blackheart International owns one. It has accompanied us to the range each day throughout our foreign weapons course, hauling weapons and ammunition to and fro.
Sure, I could have embedded this photo in one of the segments on the training, but this one stands out. A lot of companies own cool guy vehicles but they keep them as show pieces. The BHI Gauer is very much a reflection of the company; it’s a workhorse. As you can see, it gets used regularly.
Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (Bravo version)
Friday, May 4th, 2012Last week, the US Army unveiled the Fuel Efficient ground vehicle Demonstrator (Bravo version) or FED Bravo.
The Army collaborated with 18 students at the College for Creative Studies, or CCS, in Detroit to design the concept vehicle to meet specific Army requirements for fuel economy, performance, protection, payload and interior layout.
FED Bravo sports a Ford 4.4-liter twin turbocharged V8 diesel engine capable of producing 268 hp. Other features include:
• Road-coupled parallel hybrid drive system. The front axle is powered by an electric motor, while the rear-wheel drive is linked to a hybrid fuel-powered and electric system.
• Integrated starter-generator that shuts off the engine during idle time and restarts it when the driver presses the accelerator which improves fuel economy and reduces emissions.
• Six-speed auto transmission coupled with an advanced lithium-ion battery with high energy and power density.
• The full-power hydraulic brake system with antilock brakes is combined with the vehicle’s steering system to supply the hydraulic pressure demands for the steering, eliminating a second pump and improving efficiency.
• Carbon ceramic brake rotors with advanced coating for durability, plus low-drag aluminum brake calipers.
• Tubular space from chassis for better rigidity-to-weight ratio combined with armored cab and V-shaped hull for protection from blasts.
You Never Know What You’ll See on Capitol Hill
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
Here I am, walking along amongst the Senate office buildings on Capitol Hill in the city of Washington, when what do I come up upon?
This CROWS was hard at work demonstrating its integrated capabilities to Congressional staffers.
That’s a Grim Looking Panel
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
(Photo by SSG Marcus Butler, USASOC Public Affairs)
This photo shows (From left to right) NASCAR President Mike Helton, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue, USASOC Commanding General Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland and Executive Director of the North Carolina Military Foundation Lance DeSpain. They were all together last week at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida to announce the historic partnership to make military vehicles safer for Special Operations Soldiers and to share innovations benefiting all parties involved.
It’s an interesting proposition. The NC ‘automotive’ industry aka NASCAR will share technical data with USASOC (and vice versa) that might assist the other. In my opinion, there may well be some safety technologies or TTPs that come out of this but considering the drastic difference between a GMVS and a highly modified sprint car, I wouldn’t expect much more. This just feels ‘gimmicky’.
Maybe that’s why everyone in the photo looks so unhappy to be there.
US Army CERV Video
Sunday, February 19th, 2012Here is some video shot by the US Army of their Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle (CERV) at the Chicago Auto Show.
The CERV is a diesel-electric hybrid prototype designed for reconnaissance, targeting and rescue missions.
Metolius Operational Equipment Preview
Friday, February 17th, 2012We are meeting later today with the Metolius rep. We thought we’d share with you the read ahead info he gave us. Both the Patriot and Tactical harnesses are Berry compliant.
