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M1301 Infantry Squad Vehicle

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M1301 Infantry Squad Vehicle
GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle
TypeLight utility vehicle
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2020 – present
Production history
ManufacturerGM Defense LLC
Ricardo plc
Rod Hall Products
Hendrick Motorsports
Produced2020–present
Specifications
Mass4,930 lbs (2,236 kg)
Crew9 occupants
Engine2.8 litres (170 cubic inches) turbo-diesel
275 horsepower (205 kW)
Payload capacity3,200 pounds (1,500 kg)
Transmissionsix speed automatic

The M1301 Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) is an air-transportable high-speed,[1] light utility vehicle selected by the United States Army in 2020.[2] It is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 platform.[3] An ISV can carry nine infantrymen.[2] Fielding began in 2021, along with initial operational test and evaluation (IOTE);[4] 649 ISVs are to be allocated to 11 infantry brigade combat teams (IBCTs) by 2025.[2]

The Army will purchase 1700 ISVs to augment the stop-gap Army Ground Mobility Vehicle, which is based on the General Dynamics Flyer 72.

Development

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The M1301 Infantry Squad Vehicle comprises the second phase of the Army Ground Mobility Vehicle program. The Army initiated the Ultra Light Combat Vehicle program beginning in 2014. The Army renamed this the Army Ground Mobility Vehicle in 2015. The Army never formalized a competitive bid process, but in the interim, opted to purchase a limited number of GMVs through SOCOM's Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 program. In its 2018 budget request, the Army split the GMV into two phases. The second phase, called the Infantry Squad Vehicle program, was initiated to acquire 1700 additional vehicles; compared to 295 A-GMV.[5]

In 2019, the U.S. Army awarded three ISV prototype contracts to the GM Defense/Ricardo plc consortium, the Oshkosh Defense/Flyer Defense LLC consortium and the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)/Polaris Inc. consortium.[6]

The operational requirements of the ISV were nine passengers, a payload of 3,200 pounds (1,500 kg), transportable by external sling load by a Sikorksy UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, internal load/external lift by Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter, low-velocity air drop by Lockheed C-130 Hercules or Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and exceptional mobility over all terrains allowing Infantry Brigade Combat Teams to move with their equipment over difficult terrain.[7]

The GM/Ricardo prototype was based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and uses 90% commercial off the shelf parts.[7] The Oshkosh/Flyer prototype was based on the Flyer 72 Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 and the SAIC/Polaris prototype was based on the Polaris DAGOR.[8]

Prototype trials took place at Aberdeen Proving Ground in November/December 2019 followed by further trials at Fort Bragg in January 2020.[8]

AMP-HEL

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In August 2022, the Army revealed it was developing a directed energy weapon to protect IBCTs from small drones. The program is called the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) and plans to integrate a 20 kw laser onto an ISV in 2023, which is enough power to defend against group one and two UAVs.[9][10]

Design

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The ISV is a doorless body-on-frame design, with steel and aluminum body panels. It is capable of seating 9 personnel (the size of a standard US Army rifle or weapons squad) in a 2/3/2/2 configuration within a simple roll-over protection structure. In addition to its occupants the ISV can store their rucksacks and sustainment items like water and ammunition. The ISV can be transported by the UH-60 Blackhawk via sling load, and internally carried in the CH-47 Chinook.

101st Airborne Division soldiers load an ISV into a CH-47 Chinook in preparation for an air lift to western North Carolina to provide aid to Hurricane Helene victims.

The ISV is powered by a Duramax 2.8L turbocharged direct-injection diesel I4 engine connected to a Hydro-Matic 6-speed automatic transmission and 2-speed transfer case. The braking system is power assisted and anti-lock, with all 4 wheels using disc brakes and a run-flat insert. The electrical system is 24V and has a standard NATO jumper cable connector (aka "slave cable"). The headlights can be used in a combat and blackout driving mode for night time convoy driving.[11]

Operational use

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The M1301 ISV was first used by 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission to provide aid to Hurricane Helene victims in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina in October 2024. ISV's were transported via internal load in CH-47 Chinook helicopters and via a 350 mile (563 km) convoy from Fort Campbell, KY to Asheville, NC.[12]

Production

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In June 2020 the U.S. Army awarded GM/Ricardo a $214 million contract to build 649 ISVs. The total Army requirement is 2,065 ISVs.[13] The first delivery is to be made to the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division.[7] The vehicles will rely heavily on motorsport technology, with suspension modifications from Rod Hall Products, which sells modifications for the road-going version of the Colorado ZR2, and chassis modifications are to be built in Mooresville, North Carolina by Hendrick Motorsports.[14] Vehicles will be delivered from GM's new Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina.[15][16]The ISV was approved for full-rate production in April 2023; 300 vehicles had been delivered so far to field in five brigade sets of roughly 59 each.[17][18]

In January 2022, the Pentagon's chief weapons tester reported the vehicle would be unsuitable against a "near-peer threat," although the Army contended that the platform is intended to act as a troop carrier and not as a fighting vehicle; units are supposed to avoid threats or dismount if engaged rather than fight from the vehicles themselves.[4][19]

GM Defense has since converted one of its bid vehicles for the ISV to an all-electric version.[20] A variant of the ISV, carrying a .50 caliber gun and five infantrymen was on display at AUSA in October 2021.[21]

In July 2024 the Canadian government announced the acquisition of 90 vehicles in phase 1, with an option for a further 18, to equip Light Forces as part of EFP Latvia.[22] 36 will be cargo variants and 54 personnel variants and will be received by October 2024.[23] Phase 2 is to see the acquisition of up to 222 in cargo and personnel variants and up 23 light trailers.[23]

References

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  1. ^ TM 9-2320-462-10[1]
  2. ^ a b c US Army Acquisition support center (USAASC) (2020) Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)
  3. ^ "Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)". Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b Andrew Eversden (3 Feb 2021) Army defends new squad vehicle after blistering combat review
  5. ^ Judson, Jen (9 October 2018). "US Army triggers start of possible ground mobility vehicle competition after long delay". Air Force Times. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  6. ^ Ashley Roque (29 June 2020). "US Army selects GM Defense to build new Infantry Squad Vehicle fleet". Janes. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Rae Higgins (26 June 2020). "Infantry Squad Vehicle to 'motorize' IBCTs". United States Army. Retrieved 30 June 2020.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ a b Mandy Mayfield (14 February 2020). "Army's Infantry Squad Vehicle Sparks Robust Competition". National Defense Magazine. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  9. ^ This infantry squad vehicle is getting a laser to destroy drones. Defense News. 11 August 2022.
  10. ^ ‘Bullet made out of light’: Army to field first Stryker-mounted combat laser in next 45 days. Breaking Defense. 10 August 2022.
  11. ^ The Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) (PDF). GM Defense. July 2022.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  12. ^ "101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  13. ^ "GM Defense Awarded a $214.3M Contract to Produce the U.S. Army's Infantry Squad Vehicle". General Motors. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  14. ^ Markus, Frank. "GM Defense/U.S. Army Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) First Drive: Combat Carpool!". Motor Trend. Motor Trend Group. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  15. ^ "GM is renovating Concord facility to build US Army troop carrier". Independent Tribune. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  16. ^ "GM to open new tech center in Concord". Independent Tribune. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  17. ^ GM Defense squad vehicle cleared by Army for full-rate production. Defense News. 5 April 2023.
  18. ^ US Army waves green flag for Infantry Squad Vehicle full-rate production. Breaking Defense. 5 April 2023.
  19. ^ Hudson, Jen (2 February 2022). "US Army vows to tackle Infantry Squad Vehicle problems ahead of production decision". Defense News. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  20. ^ Sydney Freedberg, Jr. (4 May 2021) GM Defense: New President, New Factory, New Electric Truck
  21. ^ Jen Judson (12 Oct 2021) GM Defense pitches new version of Infantry Squad Vehicle ISV 5
  22. ^ GM Defense LLC. "GM Defense Canada Receives Contract Award from Canadian Armed Forces for Modern Light Tactical Vehicles". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  23. ^ a b Government of Canada (2024-07-23). "Minister Blair announces $35.8 million investment to equip Canadian troops in Latvia with 90 new tactical vehicles".
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