Meet the GM Defense ISV Army Truck

[TangoTwoBravo]

Our Recce Platoon guys had the Iltis and it looked cool with it stripped down,,,until the weather got cool. Actually it sucks.

As I look at this vehicle what is it intended to do? What's its capacity weight wise?

The role of these vehicles is to provide organic mobility to light battalions when they go to Latvia as part of a surge. They should not be seen as a fighting vehicle, but rather a way for the light battalion to move out of contact.

 

[OldSolduer]

The role of these vehicles is to provide organic mobility to light battalions when they go to Latvia as part of a surge. They should not be seen as a fighting vehicle, but rather a way for the light battalion to move out of contact.

SO - I would think that perhaps the vehicles are Zulu harbored somewhere out of contact a tactical bound behind the troops? Just spitballing here.

 

[Fabius]

Yes. They should be used to provide operational mobility for the Light Bn to move between AOs.
In a tactical sense they be likely used to carry the sustainment items, ie rucks, additional ammo, water, equipment to charge batteries etc.

I would expect them to also be used by the mortars, ATGMS, DFS etc to get themselves and the systems into positions and then pull back and be cached.

I would not be surprised to see the Bns start trying to figure out how to mount weapons on them for use as a fire base but given the Bns won’t actually own the vehicles that will likely be limited.

 

[Kirkhill]

So you would rather have the Milverado with a hard cover, ari and a decent heater then.

 

[IKnowNothing]

The role of these vehicles is to provide organic mobility to light battalions when they go to Latvia as part of a surge. They should not be seen as a fighting vehicle, but rather a way for the light battalion to move out of contact.

This might not be a question that can be answered on the internet, but was the selection of flyover LIB with pre-positioned mobility aids vice flyover mech battalion with pre-positioned LAV's based purely/primarily on the relative ease and /or short term viability of the former, or is there a tactical/terrain based justification for bringing light troops into the Bde?

 

[Fabius]

This might not be a question that can be answered on the internet, but was the selection of flyover LIB with pre-positioned mobility aids vice flyover mech battalion with pre-positioned LAV's based purely/primarily on the relative ease and /or short term viability of the former, or is there a tactical/terrain based justification for bringing light troops into the Bde?

Neither. All your options are based on assuming things like tactical tasks and operational planning or strategic deployment timelines held any weight.

My understanding is this is purely and solely based on the army being firmly committed to 6 month rotations for the mech Bns, shortages of personnel, cheapness of equipment for light relative to mech, concern about availability of tours for soldiers etc.
Bottom line is that the 6 Mech Bns are stretched to maintain a Coy overseas under the current constraints and the CA wanted to give the Light Bns something to do overseas, even if only for a couple months a year.

Now that said, depending on operational plans a light force can be useful. The Latvians make good use of their Hilux based forces in the complex terrain of forest, swamp and urban.

 

[Fabius]

So you would rather have the Milverado with a hard cover, ari and a decent heater then.

It would depend on the role. I think the ISV is being fielded mostly to airborne and air assault units. Makes sense as that was part of why it was designed the way it was, minimizing weight.
For a force that is not going to be conducting joint force entries, a HILUX with topper might be better for some tasks.

Either way, this will be more mobility for the Light Bn in Latvia than they would have otherwise, that is a positive.

 

[Kirkhill]

This might not be a question that can be answered on the internet, but was the selection of flyover LIB with pre-positioned mobility aids vice flyover mech battalion with pre-positioned LAV's based purely/primarily on the relative ease and /or short term viability of the former, or is there a tactical/terrain based justification for bringing light troops into the Bde?

IIRC

Latvia requested light troops with the proviso that the Lats were providing accommodation.

Don't mech troops require larger training areas? Latvia and the other Balts are small countries.

 

[Fabius]

All the Trg areas over there are pretty crowded, but they are opening some new ones as well.

I have not heard if the Latvians asked for anything specific in terms of forces, I guess it is plausible they asked for light forces but I would be more inclined to believe internal factors are more likely drivers than the Latvian ask.

 

[KevinB]

So you would rather have the Milverado with a hard cover, ari and a decent heater then.

It isn’t a vehicle to be living out of.

So no.

 

[Kirkhill]

It isn’t a vehicle to be living out of.

So no.

So yes, if people are moaning about being cold and wet.

 

[OldSolduer]

So yes, if people are moaning about being cold and wet.

And that is the life of many infantry. Get comfortable working in uncomfortable conditions.

 

[FJAG]

SO - I would think that perhaps the vehicles are Zulu harbored somewhere out of contact a tactical bound behind the troops? Just spitballing here.

Go and dig up a few CAMTs from the 1960s when the infantry section carrier was a 3/4 ton M37CDN SMP. There's probably one of those in the RWR museum. All things old are new again.

 

[WestIsle]

The number of 90 is interesting as the US plans to push 59 to every light infantry brigade. Based on that number you would expect to see 20 in Latvia, 60 for the LIBs, leaving the remaining 10 or so for training or war stocks.

 

[ueo]

Back when the earth was cooling, I still had hair, and the Bobcat APC project was still alive, our infantry battalions were motorized, aka 13 Inf Bns, Mot. The vehicle used was the venerable Dodge M37 3/4 ton truck on a scale of 4 per platoon. I think something along its lines would provide be a better option in terms of carrying capacity, along with better egress, etc, etc. Oh, and I used to FOO back then, and we did an awful lot of humping despite the motorized designation.

Remember these well, no heater/defrost tho

 

[daftandbarmy]

Remember these well, no heater/defrost tho

Rather a bad ride than a good walk

 

[Kirkhill]

Bv206 is unarmoured but fitted for its environment.

It doesn't repel bullets but it does repel rain, hail and snow and it keeps its occupants warm and dry.

Canadians operate in that same environment even when operating on wheels.

Currently we are going through a heat wave. I am seeing Jeeps with their tops down and their doors off. The other 51 weeks of the year they are buttoned up.

This isn't California. And even there air conditioning is really popular, especially if there are lots of electronics around.

There are inhospitable environments even if there are no bullets or bombs.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Back when the earth was cooling, I still had hair, and the Bobcat APC project was still alive, our infantry battalions were motorized, aka 13 Inf Bns, Mot. The vehicle used was the venerable Dodge M37 3/4 ton truck on a scale of 4 per platoon. I think something along its lines would provide be a better option in terms of carrying capacity, along with better egress, etc, etc. Oh, and I used to FOO back then, and we did an awful lot of humping despite the motorized designation.

I can smell the varsol and oil used to make these vehicles all shiny

 

[FJAG]

Bv206 is unarmoured but fitted for its environment.

It doesn't repel bullets but it does repel rain, hail and snow and it keeps its occupants warm and dry.

Canadians operate in that same environment even when operating on wheels.

Currently we are going through a heat wave. I am seeing Jeeps with their tops down and their doors off. The other 51 weeks of the year they are buttoned up.

This isn't California. And even there air conditioning is really popular, especially if there are lots of electronics around.

There are inhospitable environments even if there are no bullets or bombs.

Bullets are more hostile than the weather. A vehicle that allows everyone to have all around observation and the ability to quickly return fire rather than sitting inside a box being perforated by rounds while you try to egress is better.

In 2 RCHA we used to do winter exercises for three or four weeks under helicopters and without any vehicles. The strange thing is you become acclimatized to the weather. I found that coming home afterwards I'd be uncomfortable by the heat of the house while I'd been perfectly comfortable in an arctic tent. (Except the air mattresses - I hated those damn things - always froze my shoulder and hip)

There are always tradeoffs, but IMHO the ISV is a perfectly acceptable option to walking for that wheels-friendly European road network some of you keep touting. BvS10 for off road bush etc sure - but remember they come in at contract prices for an all up cost of just under $2 million each while these ISVs come in at around $0.4 million. I think for a UOR purchase - its pretty good.

 

[FJAG]

I can smell the varsol and oil used to make these vehicles all shiny

It sure did work though.

And all that FSOD and bush jacket. Good times.