2 • April 25 , 2021 • Morrison County Record • www . mcrecord . com • The Ripley Reporter
The Army wants New Tracked Vehicles that will Run
in Deep Snow at 50 Below
By Joseph Trevithick
For the first time in more than three decades , the U . S . Army is looking to buy a purpose-built cold-weather vehicle . The requirement comes as the U . S . military as a whole is looking to increase its capability to operate in and around the immensely strategic Arctic region in response to similar developments by potential opponents , such as Russia .
On June 5 , 2018 , the Army issued a formal request for information for a high-mobility tracked vehicle family that it is calling the Joint All Weather All Terrain Support Vehicle , or JAASV . Though they do not refer to any existing vehicles already in service , the requirements make it all but certain that this is a replacement for the aging Swedish-made Small Unit Support Vehicle ( SUSV ), which the service first bought in the early 1980s .
According to the contracting notice , the Army wants the JAASVs to be able to be capable of operating in deep snow , as well as marshy ground and rocky and otherwise rugged terrain , all while carrying a 9-man infantry squad or similarly-sized element . It also needs to be fully-amphibious and able to cross rivers , streams , and lakes .
It has to work in “ extreme cold weather ” conditions with temperatures of as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit . And it needs to be light enough that a UH-60 Black Hawk can carry it slung underneath . The Army also wants it to be air-portable under the larger CH-47 Chinook and inside a C-130 Hercules-type airlifter .
Beyond that , so far , the service is asking prospective vendors to let them know how fast and big their vehicle is overall . Any company making an offer will have to be able to provide its design in four different configurations , which are general purpose , ambulance , command and control , and cargo-carrying types . With those rear-echelon utility roles in mind , the Army has only specified a need for rollover protection , rather than any defenses against enemy fire , for the vehicles .
The Army previously purchased SUSVs , a version of the Hägglunds Bv206D articulated carrier , in those exact same configurations . The American versions used a 125-horsepower Mercedes OM617A in-line five-cylinder diesel engine in place of the less powerful original German-made Ford Cologne V6 gasoline engine .
In the Army , the older SUSVs primarily went to units in Alaska , though they also filtered down to National Guard elements in cold-weather and mountainous states , such as Colorado , Minnesota , and Vermont . The Marines maintained their fleet primarily to support their forward-deployed presence in Norway , as well as their own Mountain Warfare Training Center .
The boxy vehicles have incredibly low ground pressure thanks to the wide , rubber band-type tracks and lightweight bodies . Over deep snow , the vehicle can exert as little as 1.8 pounds per square inch of force . A typical human male has a ground pressure of around 8 pounds when standing .
Explore , Encounter and Rediscover ...
Tracked vehicle crews of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team 34th Infantry Division conducted vehicle operator and drivers training Jan . 24 , 2021 on camp Ripley . ( Minnesota National Guard Photo by Mr . Tony Housey )
The two distinct sections give them good mobility over rough and uneven terrain while still being able to carry an infantry squad or cargo . Larger , single body vehicles might get stuck in various inclined positions or have difficulty getting up and over certain obstacles . Both portions of the vehicle are powered , with a single drive chain providing power to both sets of tracks .
Even so , it can travel at 10 to 15 miles per hour , much faster than an individual walking and much more capable over rough , uneven ground than a fast-moving snowmobile . SUSVs have a top speed on improved roads of over 30 miles per hour and a maximum range of between 120 and 200 miles depending ( Continued on Page 3 )
Name Brand Footwear
Danner Double - H Ecco Hush Puppies La Crosse
Merrell Laredo New Balance Rocky Red Wing
A fully operational M1A1 Abrams tank of the Minnesota National Guard conducted gunnery skills training on Camp Ripley ’ s Center Range Jan . 30 , 2021 . ( Minnesota National Guard Photo by Mr . Tony Housey )
Tingley Irish Setter Eastland Clarks
PineGroveZoo . com 320.616.5595 Little Falls
We Have All Your Shooting Needs !
• Shotguns
• Handguns
• Rifles
The Wonders of the Wild !
• Ammunition
• Scopes & Optics
• And More
See our latest specials at www . ShootingSportsLittleFalls . com
21845 Hwy 27 , Little Falls , MN 56345
Open Tuesday & Wednesday 9am-6pm , Thursday 9am-8pm , Friday 9am-6pm , Saturday 9am-4pm and CLOSED Sunday & Monday
Support Our Troops !
Ron Kresha
State Rep District 9B
( 320 ) 761-6133
Paid for at regular earned rates by Ron Kresha on his own behalf .
Randall , MN 56475 320-749-2355 1-800-893-1440
Show support and say thank you to the servicemen and women who are serving our great country both overseas and here for their many sacrifices .