Military Vehicle

You know what’s cooler than the falcon wings on the Tesla Model X? Machine guns coming out of the falcon wings! ‘FullMag’ uploaded a video of a Model X that started life as an EV, then an espresso machine on wheels, and now, a freakin’ artillery. Coolness factor – infinity!

Mercedes-Benz unveiled a new version of its legendary G-Class SUV. The W464 is specifically designed for military use and security forces. Customers and the press were given a preview of the SUV’s capabilities at the G-Class Experience Center in Graz, Austria which is where Magna Steyr builds the famed off-roader. The off-roader is part of the new 464 series that was introduced two years ago.

Indian automaker TATA Motors has created the MBPV "Micro Bullet-Proof Vehicle”, not as a typical combat vehicle, but instead, it is a protective mobile solution that operates in confined spaces.

There’s no dearth of military vehicles these days and each one comes loaded to the gills in terms of equipment. Well, let’s add one more vehicle to this list, coming from a company called Arquus. The company has come up with a light armored vehicle called the Scarabee and it comes with a hybrid powertrain, machine guns, and a crab-walk feature that we recently witnessed on the GMC Hummer EV as well. Pretty neat, huh?

Amphibious vehicles have always garnered enough attention and there are already quite a few in the market today. It used to be for fun and small swims in the past, but amphibious vehicles now seem to have a bright future, thanks to companies like HighLand Systems which is building them for more than merry rides.

The Ukraine-based manufacturer has developed a mean-looking vehicle called Storm that is built as a “multi-role armored vehicle, designed for use in a wide range of specialist military and civil applications”. Now, if only we could have a zombie apocalypse so it could prove its mettle! Oh, wait. Did I say that out loud?

At a time when automakers are expanding their EV lineup, Kia has decided to pump in resources into developing military vehicles. The company has revealed that it has plans to develop a new standard architecture for next-generation military vehicles. This will serve as a platform for 2.5- and five-ton military vehicles and new five-ton bulletproof vehicles as well. Apart from this, it will also try to apply new EV technology.

Military vehicles are popular amongst civilians. There are loads of military surplus vehicles in the market today, of which some are road-legal. As long as your military vehicle is free of armaments, rides on wheels, and is not wider than 102 mm, you can make it road legal. Of course, there are many more parameters, but these are the obvious ones.

Although these aren’t going to be your daily drivers, it is fun to buy them as a collector if you have some extra moolah to burn. With the way the world’s going these days, you never know when the earth will be hit by an apocalypse and a military vehicle will be your best bet to live longer. So, here are 10 military vehicles that you can buy today either new or used.

Today is Veteran’s Day, and from all of us here at TopSpeed, we would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the men and women serving in our country’s military. In recognition of this day, we put together a list of videos that feature modern military machines, including a list top American transport vehicles, the new Oshkosh JLTV, the hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 undergoing testing, and even five military vehicles available for purchase by civilians.

If you’re looking for a way to show your appreciation, Military.com has a list of suggestions to check out. You could also donate to a veteran’s charity organization, such as Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, or the USO. Or you could just say “thank you for your service” to a veteran.

Continue reading to watch the videos.

GM Defense is General Motors’ wing that makes military vehicles. The company has some impeccable vehicles that cater to the needs of troops, and now, it has come out with a new prototype for an Infantry Squad Vehicle. This prototype is based on the Chevy Colorado ZR2, and the company has customized the truck as per the U.S. military’s requirements. This is just a prototype for now, though, and if it fits the bill, GM Defense could land a big order from the military. Do you think this will get the job done?

It’s safe to say that the Gladiator is winning a lot of fans over, and if the pickup’s momentum continues, the Gladiator’s fanbase could grow to include the United States Military. This, folks, is the Jeep Gladiator XMT. It’s a military-grade light tactical concept vehicle that was built by Jeep in partnership with AM General, the same company that made the Humvee, which later spawned the road-legal Hummer H1 back in the early 1990s. As popular as the Jeep Gladiator has become, it is a bit of a letdown that the coolest and most awesome version of the pickup won’t be available to the public. Then again, if it’s going to be used to defend our country, then we’re all for that. The Jeep Gladiator XMT made its debut at AUSA, the annual meeting exposition of the Association of the U.S. Army.

The Nikola NZT buggy is by no means a soft piece of machinery. It packs two electric motors on each axle and produces 590 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of instant torque. It’s also waterproof and can get pretty brutal out on the off-road course. The thing is, it all fades away in the presence of the Nikola Reckless OHV.

The Chevrolet Silverado ZH2 is a military, heavy-duty version of the popular Silverado pickup truck. Developed by General Motors’ new military defense unit, it’s powered by a next-generation Hydrogen fuel cell and advanced battery systems.

Remember the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 from 2016? GM Defense just revived the project, but it’s now using the bigger Silverado truck and newer technology. Okay, so it’s just a concept for now, but it could become a full-time military vehicle in the future. More importantly, the tech under the shell could find its way into the fuel-cell production car that GM promised to deliver by 2022. Until that happens, let’s see what this truck is all about.

Canada-based Inkas is known to armor passenger cars; but did you know it also manufactures vehicles for military and law-enforcement agencies? Their latest offering is the Armored Personnel Carrier/Armored Medical Evacuation Vehicle. The name is self-explanatory – this is a vehicle that serves many purposes while tackling hostile environments.

It’s not the fanciest vehicle to hit the auction block this year, nor is it the most attractive one. But for those who have gravitated towards overlanders these days, might we suggest hitting up the Mecum auction next month to get a good look at this 1942 Chevrolet Army truck that’s been turned into a full-fledged camper. The owner of this astounding creation is offering the vehicle for auction during Mecum’s auction that runs from November 15 to 17 in Las Vegas. The auction house estimates that vintage camper selling anywhere between $45,000 to $55,000 depending on the makeup of the people who will attend the auction.

Kia has been pretty active lately with new launches and facelifts. While the world gets its cars and SUVs, the company produces all sorts of vehicles in its home country. Take a look at the third-generation of its military truck known as the Kia Light Tactical Vehicle, or in short, KLTV. It looks very similar to the AM General Humvee, don’t you think?

Memorial Day is upon us, and while we’re busy barbequing and enjoying our day off, we felt it was only fitting to honor the men and women that have given their lives for our freedom to do just that. Maybe you’re going to grave sites to honor your fallen friends or family members, or maybe you’re placing flowers for those who came home without a family to look after their eternal resting place. Maybe you’re one of the few who don’t have a grave site to visit. Either way, it’s important that we remember those that have given the ultimate sacrifice are responsible for all of the great freedoms we have today. Today we’re doing that here at Top Speed by showcasing these videos of modern military muscle – the vehicles that help protect our men and women on the battlefield so they don’t have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Military warfare is a subject that flies by my head on most occasions. I don’t know much about it, and I’m not well-versed in the world of tactical operations. But there is something to be said about a recent report that revealed the U.S. Air Force using B52 bombers, F-16 fighter jets, and drones to literally reshape the terrain in Afghanistan with the goal of doing away with secret mountain passes that can be used by militants and extremists.

The U.S. Military now has a new supplier of vehicles and futuristic technology. General Motors announced its creation of a special division within the company designed to cater to military hardware, designed both by GM and in conjunction with the specific needs of the military. It’s called GM Defense LLC and is already working with the U.S. Army and Navy with at least three projects. According to a report by Automotive News, GM officials say GM Defense is "helping GM better anticipate and react to the diverse needs of global aerospace and defense customers."

GM Defense’s latest project is SURUS, or the Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure. The hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle is fully autonomous and has a nearly limitless number of configurations thanks to its flat top designed to accept various accessory components like personnel cabs, cargo containers, and even mobile command and hospital pods. Preceding SURUS is GM Defense’ hydrogen fuel cell-powered Chevrolet Colorado ZH2, a modified Colorado mid-size pickup designed as a support vehicle for the U.S. Army. Both SURUS and the ZH2 boast silent operation with no smells or emissions, which are perfect for sensitive combat operations.

Continue reading for more on GM Defense LLC.

Memorial Day is all about celebrating our Armed Forces and remembering the high cost of freedom. Countless American lives have been lost in the continuing fight for freedom and independence. Today, we honor them in the best way we know how – by taking a look at the U.S. Military’s current mobile hardware.

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is built by Lockheed Martin as a “lightweight” vehicle designed for widespread use throughout the military. It serves as an armored troop carrier that’s resistant to light arms fire and roadside IEDs commonly found on today’s front lines. Unlike up-armored Humvees and the heavy MRAPs, the JLTV doesn’t suffer from poor driving dynamics and off-road performance. This helps keep our boys protected while on the move, regardless of terrain or outside conditions.

Despite the JLTV’s 14,000 pound curb weight, the vehicle is light enough for both the CH-47 Chinook and CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters to airlift, giving the vehicle an added level of transportability. Also adding to the JLTV’s list off accolades is its relatively low cost and good fuel economy, along with its reliability and low logistical support costs.

Sure, the JLTV might not have as memorable a name as the Humvee, but this bad boy is one of the best solutions to keeping our troops safe while keeping them on the move.

Continue reading for the full run-down

Celebrated every year on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868. Before the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions celebrated on different days had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while serving in the military. As usual, we here at Top Speed celebrate Memorial Day by having a closer look at the vehicles used by the U.S. Army, and especially those that were conceived to protect the lives of our brave soldiers. One such vehicle is the Husky MkIII Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector.

Developed in the 1970s for the South African Defense Force, the Husky Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector (VMMD) has been sent to clear military convoy routes in just about any major armed conflict around the world, including the Middle East, Africa, and Southern Europe. Dubbed "Chubby," the system received several upgrades throughout the year, now being sold as the Mk III. Although Critical Solutions International has developed a second-generation, Husky 2G model, the first-gen based MkIII continues to be popular among armed forces around the world.

That’s far from surprising given that the vehicle is blast survivable, field repairable, and has been subjected to more than 6,500 landmine and IED strikes with minimal operator casualties. These skills enable the Husky MkIII to not only protect the operator controlling it, but also provides safe passage for military convoys in the most dangerous environments around the world. While most military systems are built to destroy buildings and harm human beings, the Husky Mk III was created with the sole purpose of protecting those who risk their lives on a daily basis.

Continue reading to learn more about the Husky MkIII Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector.

In honor of Memorial Day, we’re taking a look at a selection of military hardware and vehicles, including some of the latest technology deployed on the modern frontlines. The iRobot Warrior is one great example. Designed as a multi-mission, unmanned ground vehicle, or UGV, the Warrior is a flexible utility robot capable of tackling dangerous situations without placing U.S. soldiers in direct danger. It’s produced by the Massachusetts-based iRobot Corporation, which just so happens to be the same company that makes the Roomba, that vacuum disc you see cats riding around on the Internet. But the Warrior isn’t a joke – this machine is a highly versatile battlefield asset capable of saving lives.

Developed in part thanks to a multi-million dollar contract with the Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, there are multiple iterations and configurations of the iRobot Warrior, including the 710 and 710 Kobra. Read on for the details on this modern slice of combat-ready tech.

Continue reading to learn more about the iRobot Warrior.