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By David Crane
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June 27, 2012
Last updated on 6/28/12.
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) has teamed up with Flyer Defense, a division of The Marvin Group, to design and develop the Flyer Advanced Light Strike Vehicle (ALSV) all-terrain tactical vehicle/combat vehicle. The team has developed both armored and unarmored variants, depending on the mission profile and mission-specific requirements of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) assaulters/operators down-range. All photographs accompanying this article are of the unarmored/open variant which is significantly lighter and thus significantly more high-speed/low-drag for running and gunning at 85 mph on or off-road. Ceradyne manufactures all the vehicle armor for the heavier armored variant.
DefenseReview's (DR) friend and professional contact Mike Peck, a retired Special Operations helicopter pilot, originally alerted us to the Flyer ALSV tactical vehicle two years ago at NDIA Special Operations Forces Industries Conference 2010 (SOFIC 2010), but we just never got around to doing a piece on it for some reason. Well, better late than never. The accompanying photos were shot at either SOFIC 2010 or SOFIC 2011, but the Flyer was shown recently at NDIA SOFIC 2012, as well.
Defense Review readers should have already read about the brand new and very badass (technical term) GDATP .338 NM LWMMG (.338 Norma Magnum Lightweight Medium Machine Gun), which should bridge the gap quite nicely between the FN M240 7.62mm NATO (7.62x51mm) MMG/GPMG series and M2HB "Ma Deuce" .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO) HMG. Theoretically, a team could swap the .338 LWMMG out with the top-mounted M2HB (DR is partial to the U.S. Ordnance M2HB-QCB) to cut some weight and add some vehicle speed and ammo capacity to the Flyer ALSV if a .50 BMG isn't required for the mission.
The right-side-mounted FN M249 SAW / FN Mk46 Mod 1 5.56mm NATO (5.56x45mm NATO) LMG could also theoretically be replaced with a U.S. Ordnance Mk43 Mod 1/M60E4 Commando or FN Mk48 Mod 1 7.62mm NATO MMG. Just sayin.
If you'd like to see an even higher-speed/lower-drag (albeit signficantly smaller and lighter) all-terrain fast-attack vehicle, check out the Baja-racer-style BC Customs (BCC) Search and Rescue Tactical Vehicle-5 (SRTV-5) that DefenseReview covered last Octorber (2011).
The following information and data comes directly from the GDOTS Flyer ALSV combat vehicle brochure:
"The Flyer vehicle was developed to fill operational gaps in fixed and rotary wing ground mobility deployment requiring a lightweight, mobile, air transportable vehicle capable of being rapidly reconfigured for a variety of mission needs.
The Flyer is a mature, highly mobile platform, with a payload capacity of up to 3,500 pounds and meets all internal transport requirements for the V-22 Osprey. Capable of being either internally and externally transportable in the V-22, CH-53, C-130 and C-5 aircraft. The Flyer vehicle can move to and from the event location with a higher payload capacity and increased range over traditional transport capabilities.
As a reliable and high performance vehicle, the Flyer offers safe and fast operating speeds with superior levels of mobility and maneuverability. It’s highly adaptable to severe, rugged and r es t r ic t ive t er r ains while pr oviding off- r oad, cr oss- count r y mobility in all types of weather conditions.
Rapid Mission Reconfiguration Modularity
The Flyer vehicle’s modular approach provides the warfighter with a rapid mission reconfiguration capability. The vehicle can quickly be reconfigure in the field, to perform multiple missions such as light strike assault, rescue and evacuation, command and control, and reconnaissance, either armored or unarmored. The vehicle can easily incorporate a 360º weapon ring or carry up to a five patient litter.
VARIANTS:
• Light Strike Armored or Unarmored
• Rescue and Personnel Recovery
• Reconnaissance
• C4ISR (Sensor, UAV, SOWT, RSTA)
• Communication
PERFORMANCE
• Internally transportable in the V-22, CH-53E, CH-47D and externally in the UH-60L aircraft
• Engineered to accept varying levels of armor without vehicle modification to meet an array of threat levels
• Powertrain architecture allows for seamless upgrade to an electric powertrain
• Top Speed: 85 mph
• Cruising Range: 450 miles
• NAVSEA certified at: 7,500 lbs. gvw
DIMENSIONS:
• 4-WD, 6 speed transmission, 150 hp, seats four
• Height: 60”
• Width: 60”
• Length: 180”
• Curb Weight: 4,000 lbs.
• Payload: 3,500 lbs.
The Flyer is a Non-Developmental Item (NDI) containing 80% COTS and HWMVV platforms. The Flyer has a state of the art diesel 1.9L 150 Hp six-speed power train, cooling, brake and fuel systems with a low fuel consumption rate of 24mpg when traveling at 40mph.
The Flyer maximizes the use of HWMVV NSN parts such as: differentials, steering rod ends, tie down rings, light system, alternator, batteries, suspension ball joints, air compressor and tires."
Company Contact Info:
Sean Ridley
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS)
1139 16th Court North, Ste. 200
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Email 1: bisdevLCA@gd-ots.com
Email 2: Sean.Ridley@gd-ots.com
Website: http://www.gd-ots.com
Flyer Defense LLC (A Division of The Marvin Group)
151 West 135th Street
Los Angeles, California 90061, USA
Phone: 310-324-5650
Email: flyer@flyerdefense.com
Website 1: http://www.flyerdefense.com
Website 2: http://www.marvingroup.com
Flyer Defense, LLC
261 West Beach Avenue
Inglewood, CA 90302
Email: FlyerDefenseLLC@aol.com
Ceradyne, Inc.
3169 Red Hill Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 USA
Phone: 800-839-2189
Fax: 714-549-5787
Email: info@ceradyne.com
Website: http://www.ceradyne.com
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