SBIR-STTR Award

The military requires a new vehicle core concept, one that can be quickly adapted to varying roles and tactical situations. Furthermore, the design must use part communality in order to reduce the impact on logistics. This means that the vehicle will have different models filling diverse roles while sharing a majority of components. Thereby reducing the number of spares required for support. The concept submitted in this proposal not only enables different configurations at the point of manufacture but it also provides for quick and ready adaptation while in the field, with the use of simple hand tools. Furthermore, not only would the vehicles share the same modular drive train components but the essential building blocks for the chassis and bodyworks would also be the same, taking advantage of new engineered materials including extrusions and composites. This new vehicle will also be offered in hybrid and non-hybrid models being able to take advantage of either simple conventional propulsion or the new hybrid propulsion with its reduced fuel requirement, stealth operation, enhanced performance and auxiliary power capability.

Having met every technical objective laid out in the Phase I Proposal, the Sabre FMLTWV provides tactical variants not otherwise available to SOCOM with its current fleet. Available in both Narrow Vehicle (NV) and Standard Vehicle (SV) sizes, the FMLTWV shares a unique and innovative active suspension system that provides extended mobility via AWD 4-wheel steering allowing the vehicle to turn within a 14 foot radius for conducting U-turns in narrow streets, while carrying a full load. This suspension provides unparalleled stability for the narrow platform while being self adapting to support empty and fully loaded conditions. The FMLTWV, NV variant "Fighting Sabre" also meets CV-22 ITV size requirements. The FMLTWV utilizes multiple propulsion typologies designed from the beginning to be field swappable from conventional to hybrid operation. Sabre Engineering, Inc. is a leader in hybrid vehicle technology with having designed the largest currently operating fleet of series hybrids in the world. This best-in-class technology provides a vehicle in either conventional or hybrid architectures with clean electrical battlefield power to support the ever increasing mobile electric power demands placed on the special operations solider

Keywords:
narrow tactical vehicle hybrid itv modular light sabre