HDT is showing at the Modern Day Marine its new Storm Search and Rescue Tactical Vehicle (SRTV), developed in conjunction with Special Operations Forces. The vehicle is addressing a specific requirement by the Air Force National Guard (ANG) Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) units and Special Operations Command (AFSOC) that have requested proposals for an air deployable vehicle for their ‘Guardian Angel’ teams. SRTV can carry a tactical special team of six, plus three passengers on litters.
The vehicle is based on an original design by BC Customs (BCC) of Utah, specializing in special mission off-road vehicles. This specific design shares a common platform with other models developed by BC, ustilizing common subsystems and components. In fact, at the Modern Day Marine Expo HDT displayed another vehicle, designed for internal transportation inside a V-22 Osprey. The SRTV is measured to be carried internally by the C-130, C-17, CH-47 and CH-53 but is too wide for the V-22. The V-22 compatible version can carry a team of three with two patients on litters in the roll protected cage.
The vehicle can be delivered through various methods including Low Velocity Aerial Delivery (LAPS) of via guided parachutes (JPADS) methods. The vehicle is designed to operate in difficult environmental conditions, and performs at 10,000′ (3,048 m) above mean sea level with higher horsepower levels than most vehicles of this class deliver at sea level.
Guardian Angel is an Air Force non-aircraft weapon system program designed to execute Air Force Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and Personnel Recovery (PR) across the full spectrum of military operations. The new vehicle being considered will enable the team to infiltrate, exfiltrate and recover downed aircrew and personnel expanding the radius of operation of air-assets, enabling teams to covertly deploy from the safe landing zone on land and advance to their objective using these high performance vehicles.
To meet these goals, the SRTV is powered by a 430 Hp engine, positioned at the mid-body for maximum stability, SRTV can exceed double its curb weight in payload while performing the full spectrum of missions. Long travel suspension and optimized approach and departure angles ensure high obstacle negotiation. The vehicle can travel at a speed over 100 mph and climb vertical grades over 70 degrees, move on side slopes angles of over 60 degrees and climb vertical steps over three feet. Storm is designed to perform in extreme maneuverability in rugged environments and traverse terrain considered impassable to conventional vehicles, including vertical rock terrain.
Rapid evasive maneuverability in confined spaces is provided by highly efficient and maneuverability steering; it can turn on a 20′ (6.1 m) diameter curb to curb; maneuverability is enhanced with cutting brakes allowing U-turns on steep hills within the length and width of the vehicle, also allowing high speed J-turns.
The vehicle provides rollover safety for all occupants without limiting mission operational performance. Storm can carry up to three liters in side the rollover protection frame, without modifications, while still maintaining 360° of weapon field of fire.
