Teledyne FLIR has unveiled its Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transfer Vehicle (SMET) prototype at the Association of the US Army Annual Conference. The SMET is designed to carry gear and light loads to make Soldiers more agile in the field. Previously, General Dynamics Land Systems secured the first two contracts with SMET for 2019 and 2020, and now Teledyne FLIR is bidding for the second increment.
Teledyne’s FLIR prototype, known as the M2RV, has six wheels, 38 square feet of cargo space and a payload capacity of more than 2,600 pounds. With a top speed of over 10 mph, the M2RV is equipped with two attached payloads: an R80D SkyRaider, a 10-pound quadcopter drone, and a 280 HDEP surveillance system mounted on the rear of the platform. The M2RV is built with a steel unibody chassis to withstand rugged environments and can overcome bodies of water up to three feet high.
In terms of mobility, the M2RV can be loaded or towed by helicopter, reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. With a full tank of fuel and batteries, it can travel 100 miles. The SMET program has evolved from a pure equipment carrier to a priority load that can be carried by the vehicle’s second stage. The Army is currently experimenting with various payload options that will be evaluated by Teledyne FLIR, General Dynamics Land Systems, Hanwha, Rheinmetall and HDT.
SMET plays an important role in the Army’s ground robotics strategy. As the Army moves away from its previous system of robotic combat vehicles, it is now looking for one model to bridge the gap between light and medium vehicles. Over the next decade, these platforms will bridge the gap between manned and unmanned formations on the battlefield. SMET, with its UAS system, can be the first platform to engage the enemy before the crew elements.
Sources: Defense News
Definitions:
– SMET: Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transfer Vehicle
– UAS: Unmanned Aerial System
– RCV: Robotic Combat Vehicle
after navigation
2023-10-09 17:13:10
#Teledyne #FLIR #running #Armys #Light #Equipment #Carrier
