New "Homeland Security" vehicle unveiled.

FCW dot COM ^ | Jan. 26, 2001 | BY George I. Seffers

[vannrox]

The Army is preparing to unveil a new concept truck?smarTruck?that is touted as having "James Bond-like" capabilities.

The light tactical vehicle, a production model Ford F-350, is designed to provide the Army with an electronic platform to test, integrate and showcase cutting-edge technologies entering the market from the automotive industry.

The initiative allows the Army to insert the latest wireless communication, situational awareness and soldier safety technologies into its tactical wheeled vehicles. The objective is to demonstrate these technologies through the integration of commercially available intelligent subsystems using a standard data link.

The truck is capable of disorienting the enemy with its headlights, fending off attackers with electrified door handles, and emitting smoke screens to obscure a pursuer's line of vision, among other things.

It will be unveiled at 2 p.m. March 5 at the Society of Automotive Engineers' World Congress in Detroit. The truck will be at the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command's National Automotive Center booth.

The National Automotive Center is an element of TACOM and is the Army's focal point to develop automotive technologies in partnership with industry, academia and other government agencies. It integrates commercial and military research to improve the performance of military ground vehicles. It accelerates the exchange and implementation of automotive technologies by fostering relationships and forming cost-sharing partnerships.

The Army's new Smar Truck lll concept, designed for America's homeland security, or for use in a war zone, sits outside Cobo Center March 6, 2004 before being put on display for it's March 8 unveilling at the Society of Automotive Engineers 2004 World Congress.

Built in partnership with International Truck and Engine Corporation, the vehicle showcases the latest in armor protection, and detection and deterrent capabilities.

Smar Truck lll is equipped with a weapons station module featuring a remote controlled .50-caliber machine gun which rises from the back of the vehicle and has sniper-detection directional sound capabilities. REUTERS/HO/Rebecca Cook

[vannrox]

I don't know what to say.

[Liberty Valance]

I want one....:o)

[Liberty Valance]

Can I get one in candy apple red?

[kjam22]

My yuppie, hummer owning brother will be the first on his block to own one.

[kjam22]

Would look better in Flame Yellow than red :)

[Tribune7]

It looks like something from Soylent Green.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I got mine last summer.

CG

[Little Pig]

I think that's the wrong picture. The article lists the truck as a "production F-350". My search produced this image as being the more likely candidate (PS do a search on SmarTruck II for the previous iteration, based on a 6-wheel drive modified GM vehicle)

[rageaholic]

looks like crap. Why is Homeland Security busy making a fancy car for itself? Last I heard not all suitcases loaded into aircraft are checked. Arabs on expired tourist visas are still wandering around the USA unrestricted. BOrders are insecure, etc etc. This thing is an embarassment.

[spunkets]

Some folks just aren't happy with stinkin' little black suburbans and Detroit sees the opportunity.

[Lokibob]

The Smar Truck is an International Harvester product. It is $600,000 plus.

[smiley]

Looks more like Hillary in her black pantsuit if you ask me.

[martin_fierro]

It's a ground-based black helicopter!

[Lokibob]

The text on this article is really wrong.

This is an Army project, Not Homeland security. In fact the vehicle is destined for Iraq after the auto show circuit.

And, in fact, it is an International Harvester truck frame.

Some features include electrified door handles, strobe headlights (to disorient oncoming drivers), smoke dispenser, oil dispenser, tear gas (pepper spray) dispenser, and Oh BTW a 50 cal gun remotely controlled from inside the cab. It has a retractable roof, IR capabilities, etc.

Now you know why it is $600K.

[StriperSniper]

Or the new Chrysler PT Tank.

[martin_fierro]

The truck is capable of disorienting the enemy with its headlights

I'm so disoriented that I don't see any headlights there.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Man, and I thought the Escalade was fugly.

[martin_fierro]

fuuuuuuuuugly.

[Tijeras_Slim]

The Element! The Element! (All it needs is a Howdah on top...)

[martin_fierro]

Something about its styling reminds me of one of there: