Modern Day Marine 2012: HDT Unveils Storm SRTV

HDT Global used this year's Modern Day Marine exhibition to publicly display its Storm SRTV tactical all terrain vehicle for the first time.

Developed with an eye on a US Air Force (USAF) requirement for a new air deployable recovery vehicle, the Storm is designed to be driven on and off a range of fixed wing aircraft, and CH-47 and CH-53 helicopters without shoring.

Speaking to Shephard at the exhibition at Marine Corps Base Quantico, HDT vice president of communications Robin Stefanovich said the vehicle was relatively lightweight at 3651kg gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) but the 430hp mid-engine design ensured it was highly mobile.

‘What that means is that at altitude (10,000 feet) it is more deployable and provides higher horsepower than other existing vehicles can offer at sea level,’ Stefanovich argued.

According to specifications released at the exhibition, the Storm SRTV has a top speed of 161 kph, can accelerate to 100 km per hour in less than 15 seconds at GVWR, and has a ground clearance of 45.75 cm.

As well as being internally transported, the vehicle can be deployed through low velocity aerial delivery (LAPS) or guided parachutes (JPADS) methods.

Stefanovich noted that the vehicle, which can carry six passengers and up to three litters, has a 6.1 m turning diameter and its long travel suspension meant it can traverse terrain impassable to more conventional vehicles.

HDT also unveiled its Internally Transportable Vehicle (ITV), which is largely identical to the Storm but with smaller physical dimensions in order to be transported inside a V-22 Osprey tiltrotor.

The company is aiming to secure a contract for the USAF’s Guardian Angel Air-Deployable Recovery Vehicle (GAARV) requirement, which, according to a February solicitation, is seeking up to 61 vehicles to rapidly deliver rescue forces,

‘The GAARV will provide an air-deployable, surface recovery platform capable of manoeuvring over adverse terrain in order to search for and recover IP [isolated personnel] and/or equipment, while also providing the capability of transporting the RT [rescue team] and the IP from an area of high threat to a defendable location for recovery by aircraft or self recovery to the final destination,’ the solicitation said.

‘The GAARV will be able to be deployed and recovered using airdrop, on/off load, or sling load techniques, by most existing and future fixed wing and heavy vertical lift rescue aircraft.’