chicago auto show, 08 chicago auto show, 2008 chicago auto show, chicago, esv, lav, lav iii...

Chicago Auto Show: Army Stryker Engineer Squad Vehicle

Though the International Lonestar may have been the largest reveal of the show, the Army's LAV III Stryker Engineer Squad Vehicle may have been the biggest and meanest thing at the show. One of the engineers gave us a tour of the ESV, which is responsible for mine detection and removal, setting down lane markers and clearing roads. Conveniently, the operators of this LAV can do all of this without having to expose themselves to danger.

The commander can see the driver or gunner's view from a touchscreen in his or her section and therefore safely control the vehicle instead of having to move around or take a dangerous peep out of a hatch. It's perfect for working in those dangerous Baghdad or Detroit neighborhoods. We're sure it won't be long before we see a decommissioned one of these on eight chrome dubs somewhere.

11:15 AM on Fri Feb 8 2008
By Matt Hardigree
1,080 views
21 comments

Comments

tony-e30 at 11:18 AM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

Hello morning commute!
suzq044 at 11:26 AM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

i say clear all that interior out and put in stuff from a motorhome, ultimate offroad vehicle!.. jk
ratbark at 11:26 AM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

Sure this is nice, but does it have swiveling captain's chairs like the other new minivans?
bzr the paranoid android at 11:30 AM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

So how many cupholders does it have?

(Yeah, I'm a dick.)
Elhigh at 11:36 AM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

Short on sport.
Long on utility.

I nominate this as a significantly more offroad-capable RV than that other gizmo. It is a bit more cramped on the inside, but those others don't have machine gun mounts.
Ash78 at 11:46 AM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 195
Brought to you by Acura TSX

Meh, it's just a badge engineered Colorado/Canyon.
Labcoatguy at 11:49 AM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

Looks like they've resolved the tracked vs wheeled debate for the time being in favor of going places where there are stinkin' roads. Needs booth babes though.
FreeMan at 12:03 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

@ash78: ROFL!!! COTD!!!
JayP71 at 12:08 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

The new Ford Excursion with optional off-road package. .50 caliber machine guns extra, dealer installed.
2 GIЯLS 1 POLAЯ at 12:21 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 592
Brought to you by Acura TSX

I just don't understand these rap stars and their taste in vehicles.
Mad_Science at 12:25 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 410
Brought to you by Acura TSX

I'm an engineer...I'll be talking with my boss to get one of these for are department.

Take that, marketing!
Andrewpetty at 12:28 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

I think we need for JFG
Mad_Science at 01:25 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 410
Brought to you by Acura TSX

@Mad_Science (is back!): Oh my God..."our department"
Triborough at 01:33 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

Now this is perfect for you typical Westchester County soccer mom to take the kids around in!
rgseidl at 02:46 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

@ Triborough -

you mean something like this?

[video.google.com]
charles_barrett at 03:16 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 296
Brought to you by Acura TSX

...And you'll note that it comes with a trendy matte finish paint job.
And dual sunroofs...!
Schweppes at 05:56 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 67
Brought to you by Acura TSX

The Army has had LAV IIIs set up at Detroit on and off for the last couple of years in the food court. One of the engineers from General Dynamics Land Systems let me play around with the remote targeting on the .50 cal, and tracking and targeting random people in the crowd while switching back and forth between TV and thermal targeting was kind of neat.
Schm is not... at 10:58 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

Up next, the Hybrid Abrams. What, its like the tahoe? Now with 3 mpg!! a 50 percent increase!!
Schm is not... at 10:59 PM on 02/08/08
Reply by Email
*

Teh point is that enviromentalists are idiots.
GreenVanMan at 02:33 AM on 02/09/08
Reply by Email
*

i would use one of these for supermarket donuts
Elhigh at 09:28 AM on 02/11/08
Reply by Email
*

@Schm: 50%?! Are you crazy?

The Abrams gets 3.8 GALLONS to the MILE. 3mpg is the stuff of fantasy.