Jalopnik: bae systems

America, Truck Yeah! Joint Light Tactical Vehicle

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:15:00 EDT

Remember when we went into the current conflict abroad with, lets say, less than proper equipment for the guerrilla warfare situation our ground troops would find? Remember how the quick fix was to up-armor the existing Humvee's to protect the troops inside as best as could be managed? Well, this is a possible long term solution. Currently a contender in the bid phase for the contract to provide the next generation of light infantry and cargo support, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is a whopping slice of armor toting badass. Sporting a V-hull design similar to the one found on the RG33L MRRMV, the JLTV offers protection and capabilities which would make the venerable old Humvee blush with envy.

The 16,000 lb JLTV is a joint effort between BAE and Navistar, whose International MaxxPro we saw at the Chicago Auto Show, to compete against as many as 8 other suitors for the lucrative contract. We can't show you the guts of this beast yet as there are trade secrets involved, but lets just say it's got some nice aces up its sleeve. Anyone else think it's funny how an eight ton vehicle is classified as "light". Given the pending demise of the Hummer H2, we're imagining a sea of these babies clapped out with 30" triple chrome Daytons, Alcantara headliners, 50" plasma TVs and complete daycares for the kids in back.

RG33L Mine Resistant Recovery and Maintenance Vehicle

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:45:00 EDT

It's not often you get to play around with giant prototype military tow trucks, but then again, you don't get to drive robotic tanks every day either. The RG33L MRRMV is a platform modified version of the now in theater MRAP, or Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. Basically a big-ass truck with a V-shaped blast force dissipating hull. This particular model is equipped with all the goodies necessary to go out and drag home up to forty tons of disabled vehicle.The extending boom crane can is capable of deadlifting twenty two tons.

The crane isn't the only "weapon" in its dragging-shit-around arsenal - it also has a tilting and telescoping lift and tow bar good for 40 tons, and a 40 ton winch. All of these goodies can be operated wirelessly from ground level or in the cabin with the help of two rear mounted cameras. Just in case you need to do a little on location work, it has a built in Mig welder, a metal cutting system (no details) and a complete array of mechanics tools. Of course, when on site, you'll want to keep things quiet and under control, so there's a standard powered weapons ring mounted up top with a big old machine gun. Getting up in the cab is like going to planet rock for a climb and the doors are tiny so you better be flexible to get in. Once planted though, the cabin is actually pretty roomy. The truck is designed to operate with a crew of two, with two extra jump seats in the back. We went for a spin around the lot and left the pushbutton selected trans in first, so this thing was wailing away with power. A little part of me wanted Matt, the driver, to start bashing through walls just because he could. It was like riding in a full size Tonka truck made of my boyhood dreams. Epic.

Jalopnik Drives Real Live Tank By Remote Control, Can Now Die Happy

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:59:00 EDT

Guess who got handed the manual remote control pendant for BAE Systems' Black Knight fully autonomous tank? Yeh, I'm in as much shock as you are but can't stop thinking "Holy shit, I drove a robot tank! ROBOT. TANK." The 12-ton Unmanned Combat Vehicle (UCV) was developed by BAE Systems as an internal test bed for next generation technologies in ground warfare support. The Black Knight (we love the name, so take that Batman) is powered by a 300 HP Cat diesel and although it's quiet as a mouse is capable of up to 48 MPH. It's the largest robot with a safety release from the US military and has undergone field testing at Fort Benning. The tank can operate up to 15 MPH autonomously or by way of pendant in a command vehicle like an A3 Bradley from distances as far as three miles away. By the way, did I mention I DROVE A FREAKIN' ROBOT TANK? And now, since we did drive it, it's only fair to give it the good ol' Jalopnik Review treatment below the jump, star ratings and everything:

Exterior Design: *****
It's a robot tank in desert brown, it has a 20mm cannon and tracks. 5 stars aren't enough.

Interior Design: **
It doesn't really have an interior, but since it can be operated from long range, you can be pretty much anywhere within 3 miles and run it, so the outside is the inside. We were standing in a parking lot in Sterling Heights and it was cold out. 2 stars.

Acceleration: Inc.
How do you gauge the acceleration of a tank? The Black Knight stayed in first gear, I wasn't in it, it seemed pretty responsive when I was driving it (Did we mention I DROVE A FREAKIN' ROBOT TANK?!?) but there's no way to say whether the acceleration was good or bad.

Braking: ****
Stellar. As you can see from the video, the tank stops like it's hitting a brick wall. With no need to prevent broken noses on passengers it can stop however hard it feels like.

Ride: Zero Stars
Better than a 1982 Corvette, but that's sure not saying much. We award it zero stars and may God have mercy upon the rears of any souls unfortunate enough to need a ride inside.

Handling: **
Er, how does a remote controlled tank handle? How about this — it did exactly what I asked it to do. A pirouette? Sure. Straight line? Right away, sir. Does it count if I felt the Earth move because the Earth was actually vibrating from it? No? Then it gets what it has coming to it.

Gearbox: Inc.
Without a shifter to throw or a seat to throw it from we couldn't tell how good or bad the cog-swapper was. Not only that, but the Black Knight's handlers kept the thing in first so, you know, no drag racing to be had in the parking lot.

Audio: **
There's no audio system save the gentle hum of the Cat diesel pushing it along. In fact, the tracks are actually nearly silent front the coat of rubber on them. But that's a far sight better than a few in-car radio systems we've experienced.

Toys: *****
Did we mention this a fully autonomous tank (OMG, I just remembered, I DROVE A FREAKIN' ROBOT TANK!!) with a 20mm cannon capable of real time obstacle detection and independent situational awareness? Yeah, cause it's got that. Again: Robot. Freakin'. Tank.

Value: Inc.
Depends. We don't know how much the price tag is on this system. But how do you put a value on keeping your soldiers out of nasty fire fights? That's for congressional appropriations committees to decide.

Overall: *****
FREAKIN'. AUTONOMOUS. ROBOT.TANK.