"The GM Defense ISV is based in the commercial Chevrolet Colorado SR2 sport truck - the U.S. Army plans for a fleet of over 2,000 vehicles."
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the GM Defense ISV Light Utility Vehicle (LUV).
1 x 4-cylinder 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine developing 186 horsepower driving conventional 4x4 wheel arrangement. Installed Power
90 mph 145 kph Road Speed
208 miles 335 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the GM Defense ISV Light Utility Vehicle (LUV).
2 (MANNED) Crew
17.7 ft 5.4 meters O/A Length
6.4 ft 1.95 meters O/A Width
6.0 ft 1.83 meters O/A Height
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) Light Utility Vehicle (LUV).
Onboard personal weapons carried by the crew and passengers.
AMMUNITION: Dependent upon weapons carried by the crew and passengers.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) family line.
ISV ("Infantry Squad Vehicle") - Base Series Name.
In a move to enhance its inherent mobility, the United States Army selected the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 high-performance commercial pickup truck to form the basis of its "Infantry Squad Vehicle" (ISV). Beyond the need for a highly-mobile, cross-country-capable vehicle, the Army requirement called for an air-portable, lightweight combat vehicle capable of ferrying up to 3,200 of cargo, carry nine combat-equipped passengers, and be sling-loaded under the belly of a Sikorsky UH-60 "Black Hawk" series multi-mission helicopter. Furthermore, the design would also have to fit into the hold of the CH-47 Chinook tandem twin-rotor transport helicopter as both helicopter types currently see considerable service in large numbers. To round out the requirements, the design would also be air-transportable/air-droppable from a low-flying Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" tactical high-winged transport.
This Colorado ZR2 offshoot competed successfully against offerings from Oshkosh-Flyer Defense and SAIC/Polaris (all three were given prototype contracts in 2019). Selected in 2020, the winning design will be produced by GM Defense LLC (the division established in 2017) in collaboration with Ricardo Defense and may number into the thousands before the end of its procurement period - the service seeks as many as 2,065 of the type for its airborne divisions - the initial batch covers 649 vehicles for the 82nd Airborne.
The contract currently totals $214.3 million for General Motors for an initial 1,070 trucks with the aforementioned 649 vehicles confirmed form the lot. Production will run into 2024.
The United States Army has received at least four of the trucks for hands-on evaluations.
The ISV retains roughly 90% of parts commonality with its street-borne brethren and features enhancements to its design for military service including helicopter hookups, equipment stowage, heavy-duty roll bar, and an improved suspension/chassis for the rigors of frontline operation. Power is still through the commercial-grade 4-cylinder 2.8 liter turbo-diesel engine offering 186 horsepower and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission system. The same Multimatic DSSV spool-valve damper technology used in the civilian model also gives the ISV the needed cross-country capability the service was looking for.
The initial 27 units will be buit at General Motors' Milford Proving Ground in Michigan, to be followed by serial production of operational-quality units in the GM Defense facility planned in Concord, North Carolina. Hendrick Motorsports will be developing the outer frame with its retracting rollover protection system for the vehicle.
December 2020 - GM Defense has begun setup of the North Carolina factory in preparation for serial production of its ISV for the United States Army.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 2,065 Units Contractor(s): GM Defense / Chevrolet; Ricardo Defense - USA
[ United States ]
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Image from GM Defense press release.
Going Further... The GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) appears in the following collections:
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