Yahoo Autos U.S. Airborne Set to Get New Vehicle
The U.S. Army’s five airborne infantry brigade combat teams are set to begin receiving the new Ground Mobility Vehicle. Designed to move airborne troops out from the drop zone in a hurry, the new air-droppable vehicles were originally procured for special forces but have found a new home. Military Times reports non-airborne infantry forces will receive the vehicles next.
The Ground Mobility Vehicle is based on the General Dynamics Flyer Advanced Light Strike Vehicle. The Flyer is designed as a high performance, four-wheel drive vehicle for travelling across rough terrain. A sturdy four-wheel drive vehicle with a roll cage body, the Flyer has a top speed of 95 miles per hour, a range of 300 miles, and is powered by a 2.0 liter DOHC bi-turbocharged, intercollected diesel engine generating 195 horsepower.
Here's a video of the Flyer in action:
The GMV is meant to take soldiers where other vehicle can’t. It can scale a 60 degree grade and ford 30 inches of water. It has 19 inches of ground clearance, coil over shocks, and a independent adjustment suspension. It has a 55.5 degree approach angle and 53.1 degree departure angle. For increased cross-country mobility it has limited slip-front and limited-slip locking rear differentials.
The GMV can carry up to nine troops, including driver, meaning it can ferry an entire airborne infantry squad. It has a curb weight of 5,200 pounds and can carry a 5,700 pound payload. In turn, it is transportable inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter and can be airdropped out of a C-130 and larger air transports. The vehicle in Army images is shown with a M-2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun and a M240 medium machine gun.
According to Military Times, the first 300 vehicles will be divvied up to the U.S. Army’s five airborne brigade combat teams--the three brigades of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Division in Alaska and the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Italy. A second buy of 1,700 GMVs will be split by rest of the U.S. Army if the purchase is approved.
The airborne forces’ GMVs are apparently lacking some of the “bells and whistles” of the original vehicles provided to special forces. Exactly what those are is unknown but may include heavy weapons mounts, greater fuel capacity, and more electrical power.
You Might Also Like
