if it doesn't burn JP8 the army won't buy it in any significant quantities. the logistic tail cost of having to provide a second type of fuel is just too long.

This isn’t really a new concept or a replacement for the SF buggy. It’s to replace the John Deere Gators currently in use. The army got those not intending for them to be used tactically, but wound up using them on missions anyway. These would be a massive step up in capability from those.

Hell, you could probably put 50 of these into a C-17. Just remember to attach the parachutes correctly.

I’m sure that the mil spec model will be 150000$ to cover some made up cost

Life imitates art?

So it is worse/about the same as the bureaucracy of getting aircraft authorized for commercial flight? Wow.

I’m really really curious to see how this thing does in field testing with the military. It’s a pretty big leap to take something designed to carry 4 people, and make it now carry 6 (from the pic above) plus gear, weapons, fuel, ammo, etc. That’s A LOT of payload.

Bit of an aside, but has anyone considered swapping out the rear end of a bug for the engine, suspension etc. of one of these? I’d have thought it could be made to fit.

It will costs substantially more, because the suppliers have to deal with the US Government to do business. I know because I used to work for Navistar’s Integrated Coachworks here in Tulsa. We built complete school buses as well as activity buses and buses for the US Government and military. One of the huge reasons…

You should have :-) So easy to work on, great fuel economy. Replacing a heater core if you are over 6 feet tall is not fun however. :-|

Drove a polaris ranger hundreds of miles over hilly WV farmland, creeks, fallen trees, etc. I would have no problem trusting my life to it in civilian applications. I don’t have the knowledge or qualifications to determine whether it is just as good for military applications, but I have little doubt.

Ahhh, okay. I almost bought a 3 cylinder geo as a beater years ago. Still wish I would have.

From what I could find on the internet, commercial RZRs use 87 octane gasoline, while the MRZRs use diesel. Also the cargo box has been modified to carry people.

The Geo/Suzuki/Chevrolet etc. Tracker/Sidekick/Sunrunner was a 4 cyl FI 1600CC. You are thinking of the Metro/Swift/Sprint

Waiting for complaints about the lack of armor, then armor kits, then stronger armor kits, then complaints about the vehicle being too heavy.

I like it.

The question everyone wants to know: Does this mean I’ll be able to purchase a military surplus DPV soon?!

That’s exactly what Tiny Dancer said on this week’s ep of American Top Gear (as he arrived with his personal high HP buggy)—the Special Forces use them. So the military has got a The Rat Patrol thing going—cool.

My dad has one for ice fishing and camping trips. Trailers it behind is 32 ft RV. It’s awesome.

I’m surprised this is nearly 2000 lbs. My lifted geo tracker weighs less than that and it has a lot more features.