Flyer GEN III GMV 1.1Flyer GEN III GMV 1.1Flyer GEN II ITVFlyer GEN II ITVBoeing Phantom BadgerBoeing Phantom BadgerProwler LALTVPolaris MRZR 4Polaris MV850Strike-C CommanderStrike-C / Strike-M CommanderTRAPS T360 on Strike-ME-powered Strike-M4Remotely controlled Strike-RATVs with BMI AccessoriesProteus UDVDry Combat Submersible prototypeUniversal Launch and Recovery ModuleJetboots diver worn propulsionDiver propulsion Device XTProwler motion augmentation system
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All photos: Copyright 2014 by Defense-Update, Photographer: Tamir Eshel
General Dynamics is offering the Flyer GEN III GMV – Advanced Light Strike Vehicle for SOCOM Ground Mobile Vehicle 1.1 (GMV 1.1) program.
The GEN III GMV can accommodate up to nine fully equipped troops – six in the open cab, one in the gunner position and two on the cargo deck, facing backwards.
The prototype compact Flyer GEN II Internally Transported Vehicle (ITV) was selected by SOCOM for the evaluation of its V-22 transportable vehicle. The GEN II Flyer can be transported internally in the CV-22, CH-47G, C-130 and C-17 or sling loaded under the V-22 or Chinook.
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The Flyer GEN II Internally Transported Vehicle (ITV) was designed to measure only 60 inch wide, enabling it to roll in and out of the V-22 Osprey. The vehicle is configured to contain all payloads within the frame, to maintain the width and height limit of the Osprey’s cabin.
Another candidate for the ITV is the Phantom Badger from Boeing. The vehicle is configured with collapsible roll cage, maintaining the vehicle’s height within the Osprey’s cabin limit.
This rear view of the Phantom Badger shows the bench seating configuration accommodating up to eight troops at the rear. The vehicle can also tow a trailer.
Originally developed by Phoenix International in 1998 as the first ‘quad ATV’ for the military, the Prowler has entered operational service with Special Operations Forces since June 2002 as the Light Tactical All Terrain Vehicle (LTATV) One of the main benefits of the Prowler is its capability to carry up to six troops or a payload equal almost to the entire vehicle’s weight. For example, this PWLRC4, with a dry weight of 1,747 lbs (792 kg) carries a payload of 1650 lbs (748 kg), with additional towing capacity of 2,000-2500 lbs (909-1133 kg).
One of the most popular All Terrain Vehicles currently in service is the Polaris MRZR 4, designed to carry four fully loaded troops or 1500 pounds of payload (680 kg). Using a collapsible roll-cage the MRZR 4 fits well into the CV-22 cargo bay.
Polaris MV850 is configured to carry two fully equipped troops plus a forward and rear racks which can carry 200 lbs (91 kg) at the front and 400 lbs (181 kg) at the rear. At a dry weight of 1,067 lbs (484 kg) the MV850 can carry a payload of 850 lbs (385.6 kg). It can also tow a loaded trailer weighing 1,500 lbs (680.4 kg) and operate a powered winch provided by Polaris as an option. MV850 on display was equipped with Polaris TerrainArmor (Terminator) non-pneumatic tires. This innovative tire technology is engineered to maintain operability after sustaining tire damage that would destroy a typical pneumatic tire.
RP Advanced Mobile Systems (RPAMS) displayed at SOFIC 2014 a range of modifications based on the Strike upfit package for the BRP All Terrain Vehicle. This 4×4 Strike-C Commander accommodates two fully equipped troops
Two configurations of the Strike vehicle – at the front – the Strike-C removable roll cage, and weapon mount for the commander seat. At the rear, the Strike M is seen, mounting a Precision Remote 350 remotely controlled weapon station controlled from the front seat.
This RP AMS Strike-M ATV is carrying a remotely operated weapon station mounting the Dillon Aero M134D-H gatling gun, controlled from the commander’s seat. The station TRAP T360, provided by Precision Remote will be equipped with larger magazine, providing more substantial firepower to the vehicle.
This variant of the Strike vehicle is an electrically powered Strike M4, fitted with removable roll-cage, narrowing kit, tactical assault bumper and 4×6 tag axle extension assembly, a removable, fully suspended dual tag axle system that allows for significant load carrying at high speed and stability and dexterity in extreme conditions.
At the SOFIC 2014 event RP introduced the RP Strike-R Rapter, a high mobility, off-road robotic platform. Based on the Commander vehicle, fitted with LSA Autonomy kit, the Rapter is an electrically powered optionally manned vehicle that can travel at a speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) to a range of 100 miles (160 km) carrying 1,000 lbs (450 kg) of payload. Its batteries can be fully recharged in two hours, while toping up power on the move through regenerative braking. The vehicle is fitted with the Robotic Autonomous Platform (RAP) kit, that can be enhanced to enable semi-autonomous or full autonomous operations, when fitted with more advanced navigation, collision detection and avoidance, automated evasive manoeuvring and waypoint route execution capabilities. At the exhibition the vehicle was displayed with an integral ‘Buster’ unmanned aerial vehicle.
These 4×4 ATVs from John Deer were displayed fitted with a range of accessories provided by BMI Defense, converting the basic ATV into a military standard Light, Tactical ATV. Among the accessories displayed were cargo rails, litter bearing, modular, collapsible cargo bed, MOLLE panels and pouch systems.
Battelle, Bluefin Robotics and the Columbia Group are designing a dual mode – manned/unmanned underwater vehicle called Proteus. A model of the vehicle was displayed at SOFIC 2014. Proteus is designed to deliver payloads at distances of hundreds of miles without human intervention. It can operate autonomously or transport divers in the manned mode. Proven in operation with Special Operations Forces Teams, Proteus incorporates cutting edge autonomy software and high-energy-density batteries by Bluefin Robotics to dramatically expand the capabilities available to users of underwater vehicles.
General Dynamics Electric Boat displayed a model of its Dry Combat Submersible, a prototype being developed for the U.S. Special Operations Command. Design, pressure hull and non-pressure hull were completed early in 2014, all components have been fabricated and outfitting is underway. Electric Boat was awarded a three-year, $44.3 million contract to develop the craft, which will be used to insert and extract Special Operations Forces. To develop the DCS, Electric Boat has teamed with GSE of Zingonia, Italy, which has built certified commercial submersibles diver with lock-out systems. The craft is 31 feet long with a 6.3 foot beam, displacing 17.4 long tons, and a complement of six.
Electric Boat also displayed a slice model of another SEAL delivery method, using an SSGN payload tube that has an early prototype of its Universal Launch and Recovery Module (ULRM). This is a generic interface that allows launch and recovery of a wide variety of payloads, including autonomous air, surface and underwater vehicles; sensors; or manned craft from submarine large diameter payload tubes. The goal is that the tactical ULRM will accommodate larger payloads and interface with both the existing Virginia Class Payload Tubes as well as the postulated Virginia Payload Module Payload Tubes.
Jetboots is a diver worn propulsion system that provides the operator additional speed and thrust in the water. The systems’ dry weight is 27.25 lbs (12.36 kg) with negative buoyancy of 10.3 lbs (4.67 kg). Depending on the diver’s load, Jetboots can develop a diver speed of up to 3.3 knots, sustaining propulsion to travel a distance of 3-8 km using a custom designed 37.2Ah lithium ion battery. The system is waterproof up to 300 feet (91 meters).
Stidd, a manufacturer of submersible vehicles for underwater operations is providing the Diver propulsion Device XT, augmenting the submersible vehiles operated by the US Navy Seals. This vehicle can carry two divers and tow another vehicle loading their cargo.
Revision Military that has broadness its coverage in recent years, from eyewear protection to helmet and headgear has introduced at SOFIC 2014 a part of a motion augmenting device assisting soldiers in carrying heavy loads. Prowler is now been evaluated for the TALOS future SOF suit developed for SOCOM. Strapped onto the wearer’s lower body and limbs, the ‘Prowler’ reduces loads from joints, by dampening the pressures induced by weights carried by the human. Similar devices developed by Quebec based B-Temia are helping people with disabilities to restore movement. In February 2014 Revision Military announced the acquisition of Panacis, an Ottawa-based company focusing on Lithium ion rechargeable energy storage systems that would power the Prowler.
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