The landscape near and dear to us right here at
the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse can
bring us to think of the duties a truck would have when faced with tasks such
as Frank Castle From the Marvel Series “The Punisher” encounters daily. When it
comes to the troops we firmly support, a truck needs to boast features that aid
in the task of moving troops around on the ground safely, with a successful
mission in mind. Chevy has now landed a $1 million contract to build two very
cool midsize trucks for the U.S. Army, and you can see photos here that depict
the ZR2-based Infantry Squad Vehicle that is being considered.
The trucks scrap the traditional pickup profile
for an open-top nine-passenger troop-toting configuration, with three rows of
seating in addition to two side-facing seats in the rear. Four-point harnesses
are also added along to the military-grade mix, and there are no doors at all,
just a roll cage with attachments for various gear. The truck will also strap
itself usefully right under a UH-60 helicopter for a quick lift, which is
commonly needed in areas that see frequent combat.
The vehicle shares 70 percent of its parts with
the 4x4 Colorado
ZR2, including the suspension that features track-grade Multimatic DSSV
shocks. Special attention during the design phase allows for very high-speed
running and jumping, both of which could mean the difference between life and
death during combat. The customer-grade ZR2 is available with a gasoline V6,
but these test trucks are putting to use the optional 2.8-liter 4-cylinder
turbodiesel engine, rated at 186 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. GM Defense
President Davit Albritton said over the past week that “this particular ISV
entry is a fully-integrated platform that leverages decades of engineering,
manufacturing, and quality expertise at scale to provide the most
cost-efficient, reliable and effective answer possible to meet and exceed the
Army's demanding requirements”.
Testing of the trucks will begin during November
at the Army's Aberdeen Center in Maryland, where they will be competing against
various submissions for a contract to be awarded during spring. The winner of
this contract will be slated to build 651 vehicles through 2024, providing
ample supply in high numbers for the men and women out there on the front lines
making sacrifices for our nation. The off-road stance is absolutely what is
needed to provide the best in-vehicle assistance for those who best know that
freedom doesn't come without a price, and are out there offering up their
talents every day to keep our country safe. We'll keep you posted right here on
the blog as news develops, and keep our fingers crossed regarding this chance
to supply our best and brightest during the call of duty.
