Article Posted on : - Oct 08, 2014

US Army Special Forces soldier on a ground mobility vehicle (GMV-S). US Army Photo by Sgt. Horace Murr

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA (BNS): General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has reached a critical milestone and is moving to low rate initial production (LRIP) on the Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 programme after receiving notice that a Milestone C Decision has been reached by US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

Under the LRIP option, General Dynamics will produce and deliver 72 vehicles to USSOCOM by 2016.

Awarded to General Dynamics in August 2013, the GMV 1.1 vehicle is an extremely light, highly mobile and C/MH-47 internally transportable platform that meets USSOCOM high-priority mission requirements.

The GMV 1.1 vehicle is the company's Flyer 72 platform with USSOCOM specific modifications.

Jointly developed by General Dynamics and Flyer Defence, the Flyer 72 has a top-speed of 100 mph, a cruising range of 350 miles and can carry up to nine operators with payload while traversing remote and demanding terrain.

With a payload-to-weight ratio greater than 1:1, the Flyer 72 is unique in its ability to carry more than it weighs. It can easily be reconfigured to meet a wide range of specific mission sets without modifying the vehicle's base design or using any special tools.