Particular Operations Command Targets Automobile Upgrades
4/19/2022
MRZR Alpha
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NORFOLK, Va. — New automobile improve alternatives can be found for business looking for to work with Particular Operations Command.
“We have now a reasonably distinctive fleet out right here in SOCOM that sort of touches completely different applications,” mentioned Marine Corps Lt. Col. Alfredo Romero, program supervisor for Particular Operations Command’s household of particular ops automobiles.
The command’s stock consists of joint gentle tactical automobiles, purpose-built non-standard industrial platforms, gentle tactical all-terrain programs, floor mobility automobiles and extra. There are platforms presently in idea, manufacturing and sustainment phases, Romero mentioned through the Nationwide Protection Industrial Affiliation’s annual Tactical Wheeled Automobile Convention in Norfolk, Virginia.
One automobile within the idea stage consists of the purpose-built non-standard industrial automobile, which is being pursued by an different transaction authority prototyping effort, Romero mentioned.
“The thought of this automobile platform was to construct a automobile from the bottom up on the chassis, with the power to vary out the skins,” he mentioned.
The command is designing the platform to have an prolonged service life with the power to traverse longer distances.
Particular Operations Command has just lately accomplished some assessments with the automobile and is presently ready for the outcomes to come back in earlier than making its subsequent transfer, Romero mentioned.
In the meantime, the Joint Gentle Tactical Automobile, or JLTV — which is being developed by a joint program workplace for the Army and Marine Corps — is one other venture within the idea stage. The platform is a service-common automobile being offered to SOCOM parts, Romero mentioned. In fiscal 12 months 2023, the command will start making use of particular operations forces-specific modifications.
A part of Particular Operations Command’s acquisition technique is to leverage platforms from the companies, he mentioned.
Regardless of the Army and Marine Corps supplies is “adequate for SOF,” Romero mentioned.
The command then applies SOF-peculiar modifications to the platforms which gives customers better flexibility, he added.
Upcoming milestones embody a SOF command, management, communications, computer systems, cyber and intelligence, or C5I, integration equipment which shall be examined in fiscal 12 months 2022, in line with slides proven throughout Romero’s presentation.
The JLTV shall be one in every of SOCOM’s newer automobiles and shall be a workhorse within the fleet, he mentioned.
The command can also be pursuing a hybrid-electric floor mobility automobile 1.1 system. A prototype platform is anticipated to be accomplished by July and the command will then start testing, Romero mentioned.
In the meantime, platforms in manufacturing embody the sunshine tactical all-terrain automobile, which is a SOF-modified commercial-off-the-shelf system that may be internally air transported through V-22, H-53 and H-47. The platform consists of two- and four-seat variants. It may possibly carry out missions resembling offset infiltration, reconnaissance and medical evacuation.
The command is utilizing Polaris’ MRZR Alpha for the automobile, Romero mentioned. This system is a collaborative effort between Particular Operations Command and the Marine Corps.
“We’re sharing the identical frequent automobile baseline,” he mentioned. The platform is called the ultra-light tactical automobile throughout the Corps, he added.
“It’s an total good automobile,” Romero mentioned. “The person neighborhood right here actually likes this platform.”
Shifting ahead, areas of curiosity for the automobile embody integrating autonomy packages, signature administration programs and inserting a communications suite, he mentioned. There may be additionally curiosity in electrifying the platform.
The LTATV was slated to finish efficiency testing in March, in line with Romero’s slides.
In the meantime, the service is sustaining its fleet of mine-resistant, ambush-protected automobiles in addition to its floor mobility automobile 1.0 and 1.1 platforms, he mentioned.
Typically, as SOCOM appears to be like ahead, it’s looking for light-weight armor for its automobile fleet, he mentioned. Present armor options are heavy and restrict the obtainable payload for customers, in addition to lower the platform’s sturdiness.
The command can also be on the lookout for new signature administration applied sciences, he mentioned.
“That could be a massive subject for us,” Romero mentioned. “How can we do signature administration on the transfer?”
Hybrid-electric expertise is one other space of curiosity, he mentioned. “Something that we will do to create that prolonged vary and in addition that silent watch … we’re all in on that.”
Autonomous and semi-autonomous automobile expertise — in addition to augmented actuality upkeep capabilities — are additionally areas that SOCOM is eyeing, Romero mentioned.
Matters: Particular Operations
