Soldiers in Afghanistan Test New Off-Road Prototypes

American Forces Press Service ^ | Sgt. Jessica L. Sheldon, USA

[SandRat]

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan, June 9, 2008 – Soldiers from Combined Task Force Currahee recently test-drove a new vehicle that could help alleviate some of the problems they have maneuvering through Afghanistan’s mountains and valleys.

Soldiers from 101st Airborne Division test an enhanced logistic off-road vehicle prototype to see if it meets their standards for operational use in Afghanistan. Three prototype vehicles are being tested. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jessica L. Sheldon, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The enhanced logistic off-road vehicle, known as the ELSORV, may be the answer to navigating Afghanistan’s rugged terrain.

Three prototypes are being tested. Afghanistan’s rocky terrain makes the going slow and difficult for supply convoys, evacuation and basic ground transportation.

“This vehicle was brought on as an operation need,” said Charlie Copsey, one of the engineers who built the ELSORV. “Rapid Equipment Force funded the building of the prototypes.”

All three prototypes are in Afghanistan so soldiers can learn how they handle in the terrain. Over the past year, the ELSORVs went through operational assessments in the United States, and now they are here for a real-world assessment by the soldiers who could end up using the vehicles.

“The ELSORV is unlike any other military vehicle I’ve driven,” said Army Sgt. Lance Davis, one of the test drivers. “It goes wherever you want it to go.”

Copsey said ELSORVs can carry 2,700 pounds, and they have modified Humvee engines that can conquer approach angles of 90 degrees and climb slopes at 80 degrees.

“As long as they have power going to one of the wheels, they’re going to stay mobile,” Copsey said.

The ELSORVs allow soldiers to go over obstacles without getting hung up on the undercarriage. The vehicle can go 90 mph safely on a hard surface.

“The best place for these vehicles is here in Afghanistan,” Davis said.

(Army Sgt. Jessica L. Sheldon serves with 382nd Public Affairs Detachment.)

[SandRat]

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[SandRat]

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[Sherman Logan]

they have modified Humvee engines that can conquer approach angles of 90 degrees and climb slopes at 80 degrees.

Am I reading this right? These things will climb a hill (more commonly known as a cliff) only 10 degrees off vertical? Color me pretty darn skeptical.

[airborne]

No mention on how they’d handle a road side bomb.

[swatbuznik]

Well, of course I want one! :D

[clee1]

So much for the hundred-grand-per-copy Humvee.

[DB]

Maybe with a winch...

[Squantos]

Agree......new must include AND IMPROVED !

[neverdem]

506 AB INF RGT

[usmcobra]

It looks like an Armored rock climber.

[Defiant]

Yes, but what kind of mileage do they get?

I always thought it would be cool to update the cavalry concept with a force of soldiers on dirt bikes. Talk about ability to maneuver! It would be hard to shoot and ride, so I'd build in a machine gun that fired from the handlebars with the push of a button, the way the planes do in dogfights. If you think these vehicles can get into difficult terrain, wait til you see a bunch of crazy grunts on dirt bikes.

Plus, it would just be cool to shoot a jihadi, then roost all over him as you drive on to the next target.

[Ramius]

Color me pretty darn skeptical.

Seems like it must be a misstatement. But then again, those rock-crawler guys do some pretty insane stuff.

[Ramius]

I always thought it would be cool to update the cavalry concept with a force of soldiers on dirt bikes.

Heh... might not be a bad idea. Yah, kinda tough to shoot while mounted but maybe a look and point grenade launcher could buy a little time to find cover? Or network with an overhead UAV?

Though in Afghanistan there's also something to be said for just getting some horses and mules. I believe the Special Forces have done some of that already.

[Sherman Logan]

I’s no picnic going up an 80 degree “slope” on foot.

[Spokane]

Maybe with a winch...

Winches may not be required but I'd hate to be one of the guys in the back.

[43north]

The dhimmiecrats will deny funding for these unless they get 35mpg...

[upchuck]

“The best place for these vehicles is here in Afghanistan,” Davis said.

Sorry, I gotta disagree. The best place for this vehicle is in my garage.

[Defiant]

Logistics would be tough. You could go maybe 50-70 miles on a tank, and then would need to refuel. You would get way ahead of your tankers and ammo supply real fast if you went out chasing bad guys. But you could use it to get behind the terrorists before they could react, with their horses and/or on foot, or with cars, and it could come in handy in desert and mountain warfare. Especially if you could coordinate supply and bombing locations with air support.

I'm sure better military minds than me have thought about this before, and since they don't use dirt bikes, there probably is a very good reason. But it would be very nice to be in the 53rd Dirt Bike Cav Unit. (Motto: Wheelies of Death).