Lightweight vehicles go to war: ATVs, motorcycles and battery-powered bicycles do their duty in Iraq, Afghanistan

Diesel Progress North American Edition,  Sept, 2004  by Bill Siuru

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

The U.S. military is interested in lightweight vehicles that can reach places where larger Hunvees and trucks can't go. These include utility vehicles, ATVs, motorcycles and even battery-powered bicycles. Some ultralight vehicles are already in use in Iraq and Afghanistan, offering mobility in remote and rugged locations.

Here is a look at some equipment in active duty and under development by the military.

M-Gator: The six-wheeled M-Gator is a militarized version of the John Deere's well-known Gator utility vehicle. The Military Gator utility vehicle or M-Gator, is now used by the infantry, Marines and special operations forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. With its 108 in. overall length and 60 in. width, the M-Gator is slightly smaller than a World War II jeep. Indeed, the M-Gator is performing many of the same tasks as the jeep did, including personnel and message transport, light cargo supply, laying communications lines, evacuating casualties, light weapons platform, etc.

The M-Gator can tote up to 1250 lb. in two cargo trays--a 2.0 cu.ft. tray in front and a 14 cu.ft. tray in the rear cargo box. It can carry wounded in mounted litters, one in front and two in the rear. The windshieldless, 3 ft. tall M-Gator is equipped with an M16-compatible rifle clip.

Power comes from an OHV, three-cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-cycle Yanmar diesel engine rated 18 hp. It runs on JP8, the military's "single battlefield fuel" used in both diesel-powered ground vehicles and turbine engines in aircraft and helicopters. The continuously variable transmission is designed to eliminate shifting and it has a top speed of 18 mph.

Other features include keyless ignition, an anti-theft security cable, a multi-position heavy-duty cargo box with fold-down sides, tailgate, power lift, front brushguard and bumper and heavy-duty pintle hitch. Up front there is a 2500 lb. winch and both 12 V and 24 V power supplies are available.

M-Gators have been further modified for special missions including the addition of machine guns and grenade launchers in the field. One version has been modified with the seat backs removed for personnel in protective clothing and equipped with a self-contained breathing apparatus. The USAF has also developed its First Response Expeditionary (FRE) fire vehicle using the M-Gator for rapid response to aircraft crashes and rescues.

One of the M-Gator's big advantages over the Humvee, besides its much better maneuverability, is that it can be easily transported into the field with the troops. It can be carried on a sling below a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter or inside most larger fixed- and rotary-wing cargo aircraft. Two M-Gators along with 20 soldiers can be carried in a Chinook helicopter and can be air-dropped from a C-130 transport.

Polaris 700 MV: Considered even more maneuverable than the M-Gator is the Polaris 700 MV, the military version of the Polaris Sportsman 700 ATV The U.S. military began using basically civilian ATVs during Operation Enduring Freedom to patrol the Afghan mountains and deserts. Recently, DoD's Special Operations Command has ordered some 700 Polaris ATVs. This includes the MVs along with Sportsman 6x6 models also modified to meet military specifications. Polaris has "already supplied several branches of the service with hundreds of ATVs based oil existing Ranger 6x6, Sportsman 6x6 and Sportsman 500 vehicles.

The MV has the chassis and Polaris-built Liberty parallel-twin engine of a standard Sportsman 700. Modifications include infrared lights for enhanced night vision, roll bar, run-flat fires and keyless ignition. A fortified steel exoskeleton and enhanced suspension mean increased protection and ability to cover rough terrain. The large and flat metal front and back racks can carry twice the cargo of the standard ATV including stretchers. There are Warn winches in front and back as well as rear pintle-hook-style tow bars. Dual gas tanks increase fuel capacity and hence, range.

The Polaris MV is considerably more maneuverable and faster than the M-Gator--40 mph, even over rugged terrain--making it a tougher target to hit.

Prowler: The All Terrain Vehicle Corp., Orange, Calif., has developed the Prowler RTV, or rugged terrain vehicle, for a wide range of tactical and support missions. Two configurations have been shown: Light Weapons/ Reconnaissance Platform and Light Surveillance, Recon and Communications Platform (Light ISR).

Being a dedicated military vehicle rather than a militarized civilian ATV, the Prowler RTV offers several advantages over converted ATVs. These include smaller dimensions, tighter turning radius, lower center of gravity for better stability, ability to carry a greater payload and more ground clearance. The Prowler is approximately 92 in. long, 52 in. wide and 64 in. tall with a 57 in. wheelbase. The center of gravity is about a 1.5 ft. lower than an ATV while still offering 1 ft. of ground clearance. The Prowler drives like a car with its rack and pinion steering rather than like an ATV where operators have to straddle it, steer via a handlebar using hand-operated throttle and brakes, and have to adjust their position to maintain stability.