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

The Prowler is powered by a 660 cc., four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine mated to a fully automatic four-wheel drive transmission and push button two- and four wheel drive selection. The company is currently working on modifying the engine to run on JP8. It features a front and rear independent wishbone suspension system, hydraulic dual front disc brakes and rear shaft disc braking system. The Prowler can ford up to 30 in.-deep rivers and streams without a snorkel. EMT Run Flat tires and a PTO can be fitted.

Weighing only about 800 lb., the Prowler is easily deployable and recoverable by a wide range of surface and airborne assets. The Prowler PTV can carry an 800 lb. payload and tow another 1200 lb. All Terrain Vehicle is now developing two-person and unmanned versions.

M-313 ShockTrooper: The ultimate ultralight vehicle is an electric bicycle like the TidalForce M-750x, also known as the M-313 ShockTrooper. It features a 750 W WaveCrest adaptive motor system located in the rear hub. TidalForce is a division of WaveCrest Laboratories LLC. A 36 V nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery is built into the front hub. The microprocessor-controlled motor has neither gears nor brushes.

The M-313 has a maximum speed of 20 mph and a range of up to 20 riffles between recharges. This can be increased by pedaling and using the 21 speed derailleur gears. It can also be fitted with a second battery.

The bike can carry a gross payload of 350 lb. of rider and gear. Optional trailers can haul another 200 lb. The ShockTrooper is extremely stealthy. About all you hear are the tires rolling over the road. The bike is proposed for reconnaissance, surveillance, patrol or courier duties.

The M-313's DARPA-approved Montague Paratrooper folding frame is rugged, light and durable. When folded via quick releases, it fits easily in the rear of a Humvee. Airborne troops can jump with the bike. Depending on the configuration, the ShockTrooper weighs between 64 and 81 lb.

Tidal Force also is developing a battery-powered motorcycle for potential military use and has 'already delivered a proof-of-concept prototype to the Army's National Automotive Center for testing. Reportedly, it is also working on a hybrid ATV with a Honda engine and four of its electric motors.

American Chariot PTV: Like Roman soldiers, the military could use chariots, but with horses replaced by electric motors. The army is evaluating the American Chariot Personal Transport Vehicle (PTV) as part of its Soldier Mobility Program. The Chariot is a three-wheeled vehicle powered by a 2.5 hp brushless, high-performance magnetic motor with sealed bearings. The rear wheels are driven via synchronized belt-drive system that includes heavy-duty band brakes on the rear wheals and a parking brake. The PTV has a top speed of 20 mph. The quick-change, rechargeable power packs consists of two rechargeable 40 amp/hour, zero-maintenance, sealed gel batteries. They provide up to 15 miles per charge that are good for an average of 400 recharge cycles. To eliminate downtime, the batteries can be quickly swapped out for flesh ones and the spent batteries can be recharged by an off-board battery charger.