Air Warrior Col. John W. Thompson - KMI Media Group

compatible with JP8 fuel such as might
be used on jet aircraft. The MDXP has
a steel bed with fold-down sides, ondemand
four wheel drive, power steering
options that can be useful in rough terrain,
a tilt steering wheel to ease entry for
larger soldiers driving it, full underbody
skid plates and more. And aside from moving
rapidly, the vehicle has hydraulic disc
brakes for stopping power.
The Ranger MDXP can hold three
passengers with seat belts for each, and
features car-like controls. The vehicle
boasts a one-ton (short U.S. ton) towing
capacity, plus another 1,000 pounds (halfton)
payload that can be carried in the
dump box. Overall, it has a 1,500 pound
payload capacity. With a full one-foot
ground clearance, the Ranger is unlikely
to become hung up, even in rough terrain.
And when the going gets rough, the
suspension has better than nine inches of
travel at each wheel. There also is a keyless
ignition option.
The Ranger MDXP can be used for an
array of missions: surveillance and reconnaissance,
perimeter security, fire base
support, carrying chow or water, forward
observer duties and more. Casualty evacuation
and an ability to be air dropped add
to the value of the vehicle, Burke said.
And dual fuel tanks can extend its range
to 200 miles.
A variant of the diesel vehicle is the
Ranger MDC, or Military Diesel Crew, which
offers seating for six passengers with seat
belts for each, and a 1,750-pound payload
capacity, including half a ton in the
dump box.
Polaris also offers another way to go
without gasoline propulsion: an electric
vehicle. The EV LSV ultra light vehicle
offers a 30 horsepower rated AC electric
engine with a 25 mph speed and
a 50-mile range for the all-wheel-drive
asset. Recharging takes eight hours,
using a 110 volt power supply, or a 220
volt supply using an available accessory
plug kit. It has high, low and maximum
range modes.
The all-weather four wheel drive vehicle
can be used on bases, for logistics
duties and more, Burke noted, and has
off-road capabilities. It can carry 500
pounds in the cargo box, with a total
1,000 pound payload capacity. And it can
tow 1,250 pounds.
Complying with National Highway
Transportation Safety Administration
guidelines for LSVs, the vehicle comes
with rollover protection. It weighs
just 1,799 pounds dry weight, offering
MacPherson Strut suspension in front
with an eight-inch travel, and dual
A-arm suspension for rear wheels with a
nine-inch travel.
The vehicle reinforces one of its strong
points—the quiet electric engine—
with low noise gears, a benefit when
operating near an enemy position. If the
vehicle becomes stuck in difficult conditions,
it has a winch to pull itself out
of trouble.
Some may want more power and speed.
The MV700 comes with a 40 horsepower
gasoline engine, automatic transmission,
all wheel drive and a 55 mph speed. It
is compatible for NATO litters to carry
wounded, and it has run flat tires. There
are winches front and rear, a 600-pound
rack capacity and a 1,500-pound towing
capacity. It also offers blackout drive and
an infrared light option. Equipped with
dual fuel tanks, it can be dropped by
air or transported by sling from an aircraft.
In cold weather, it can be equipped
with snow tracks. The gasoline powered
vehicle has an array of uses, such as forward
observation, casualty evacuation,
carrying ammunition or water, or aiding
air assault.
Finally, if your need for speed is even
greater, there is the Polaris RZR-SW, with
a top speed north of 60 mph. It has on
demand four-wheel drive, and a 760 cc
gasoline electronic fuel injected engine
placed in the rear of the vehicle for a
low center of gravity. The power plant is
linked to an automatic transmission. With
a full-body skid plate, the vehicle has a
run-flat tire option.
It can ford a stream with water of 30
or more inches deep, 1,000-pound payload
(half crew, half cargo), a 1,500-pound towing
capacity, a 12.25-inch ground clearance
and a one-foot travel in the front and
rear suspension systems. It is compatible
with the M249/M240 gun mount, and
there is a winch on the front end.
As far as support, Polaris offers rider
training, and maintenance and repair
training for drivers and motor pool personnel.
Service manuals are available
electronically. The demand for ATVs is
solid. Polaris Defense just received a $67
million, five-year contract from the Army
National Guard to provide Ranger Crew
800 and Ranger 6x6 800 vehicles with
side-by-side seating. “The award underscores
what our company can do in supplying
great products, accessories and
support,” said Mark McCormick, managing
director of Polaris Defense.
ATV Corp. also has a lineup of ATVs
that it says the military should consider.
ATV President Amos Deacon Jr., said its
ATVs are superior. “The first ATV ‘quad’
recreational vehicle with rack and pinion
steering (no handlebars) and automotive
controls was implemented here,” Deacon
said, adding that it was many years before
the industry adopted the concept.
That vehicle was introduced as an
RTV (rugged terrain vehicle), he said.
“It was purpose-designed for operation
in the most demanding of terrain and
environmental extremes,” and was named
the Prowler. Today, he said, the company
continues to produce competitive offerings,
such as the commercial off-the-shelf
Prowler line of LTATVs (light tactical all
terrain vehicles).
“It is a multimission configurable
platform for military applications including
intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance,
communications, assault or
search and rescue,” he said. “We offer
both gasoline and heavy fuel (diesel/
JP-8) powered platforms, depending upon
user requirements.”
And Deacon said the vehicles offer
safety features. “Our rollover protection
system [ROPS] is unequaled in its class,
either in design or materials,” he said.
To take an example, he said ATV Corp.
uses chrome alloy steel rather than more
common types of steel used by competitors,
adding that the ATV Corp. system
“exceeds all current ROPS certification
standards such as SAEJ2194, J1524 and
ISO Std 3471.”
The company also specifically designs
vehicles to meet the purpose the customer
intends, he said. “We do not
‘enhance’ someone else’s design—we purpose
build,” Deacon said. “This practice
is further exemplified by the fact the no
surface finishes of the vehicle are painted;
all are industrial powder coated to ensure
durability and long life.”
While ATVs often have been relatively
slow vehicles, the company is ready to
accommodate those with a need for speed,
Deacon explained. While “primarily, we
concentrate on mobility and stability in
operation,” which he said is unmatched,
“with regard to speed, the basic platform
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