Army Unveils Counter-Terrorism Vehicle

The Denver Channel ^ | POSTED: 10:14 a.m. EST January 8, 2003

[RoughDobermann]

DETROIT -- Welcome to the Detroit Auto Show in the post-Sept. 11 world.

The United States Army unveiled a prototype of its counterterrorism vehicle at Monday's 2003 North American International Auto Show.

A team from the National Automotive Center in Warren, Mich., developed the SmarTruck II, calling the five-ton transport its "James Bond vehicle."

The vehicle, which is intended for specialized military transport, can drive in water up to three feet deep, according to its creators.

It features advanced communication systems, including a special shield to protect the radiator from small-arms fire, plus infra-red headlights that allow soldiers to see at night and send messages to other vehicles. It also features fingerprint authentication and is capable of dispensing a crowd-controlling pepper spray.

The high-tech vehicle is the first to feature several new electronic and communication devices including a pinpoint laser-guided missle, 360-degree video cameras, and an interactive Web site built in so that the vehicle can send and retrieve data.

SmarTruck II is built on a modified Chevrolet Silverado platform, and is a 6X6 all-wheel drive vehicle engineered to meet military, homeland security, counterterrorism and municipal government challenges, according to the U.S. Army.

"SmarTruck II is a multi-purpose vehicle for what are, in reality, 'multi-purpose' missions. This unique vehicle is now ready and able to meet those challenges facing local, state and federal agencies," said Dennis J. Wend, executive director of the NAC.

"If you don't know exactly what you need, what's the next best thing? A modular vehicle that can become anything you want it to be," he said.

Wend said the vehicle can also be configured for other uses in addition to homeland security, including community service and humanitarian aid applications such as disaster relief and medical response.

"It can be used as a command and control center," said Wend.

The vehicle is also equipped with technology that detects chemical weapons and can sense air pollution.

The introduction of SmarTruck II at the auto show is one of the first collaborations between the military and U.S. automakers.

The NAC believes the new vehicles could be rolling off the assembly line in about two months, according to a report in the Financial Times. It usually takes automakers two years to begin commercial production of a vehicle from its conception to actual production line, the Financial Times reported.

SmarTruck II will be sold to the United States government at a price of about $100,000.

[nevergore]

I Want One!!!

NeverGore :^)

[dts32041]

Looks like they finally upgrade the Urban Assualt Vehicle, first seen in the movie Stripes.

[Red Jones]

bump

[RoughDobermann]

More here

[per loin]

I hope it gets decent enough mileage to use for daily commuting. Those roof rockets would be great for radar traps.

[OC_Steve]

But by driving one of these things, will we be supporting terrorist? That thing won't get very good gas mileage. - Joking, this thing is cool!!!

OC_Steve

[RoughDobermann]

Probably measured not in miles/gallon, but gallons/mile!

[avg_freeper]

"SmarTruck II is built on a modified Chevrolet Silverado platform, and is a 6X6 all-wheel drive vehicle engineered to meet military, homeland security, counterterrorism and municipal government challenges, according to the U.S. Army.

So this urban assault vehicle is for "homeland security". Then why does it need the following?

"It features advanced communication systems, including a special shield to protect the radiator from small-arms fire, plus infra-red headlights that allow soldiers to see at night and send messages to other vehicles. It also features fingerprint authentication and is capable of dispensing a crowd-controlling pepper spray. The high-tech vehicle is the first to feature several new electronic and communication devices including a pinpoint laser-guided missile, 360-degree video cameras, and an interactive Web site built in so that the vehicle can send and retrieve data. "

Am I the only one that really doesn't like the looks of this? I guess it would be a very bad idea to become a "challenge" to your "municipal government".

How many here would like to see Hillary's storm troopers behind one of these monsters?

[IvanT]

Reminds me of our Coyote Reconnaisance vehicle we up north.

[the_doc]

The vehicle is also equipped with technology that detects chemical weapons and can sense air pollution.

Oh, so it is justifiable after all.

[Centurion2000]

The other item was that it controls UAV drones from the command consoles as well.

I really don't want to see the ATF or SWAT teams with this thing. The militarization of our police forces continue.

[per loin]

The guvment needs sumpin to stop them smokers from doin it by guvment buildins.

[joesnuffy]

SmarTruck II will be sold to the United States government at a price of about $100,000.

LOL....$100 grand a pop......now I know why its called a "smart" truck.....
If you're tax payer......ouch!..... that smarts

[Centurion2000]

It can eavesdrop on radio and Internet communications and instantly beam the data live to commanders who will analyze the threat.

From the article: Why do they need a roaming vehicle to tap the internet around it ?

[duk]

This seems to me to be a small version of the STRIKER. The "command and control" feature really caught my attention.

ROCKETS! I can't even put into words what goes through my mind as I consider that option roaming through "our" streets.

I'm glad I live out in the middle of nowhere. When these trucks finally take to the streets for their "public relations",in about two months, I hope the media calls them what they really are, Assault Vehicles.

[sparkydragon]

This hurts, but here goes:

I won't vote for Bush in 2004 even if I have to vote for Daschle or Clinton to keep him out of office. We can vote ourselves out of socialism; we can't vote ourselves out of a police state.

[RebelDawg]

So this urban assault vehicle is for "homeland security". Then why does it need the following?

"It features advanced communication systems, including a special shield to protect the radiator from small-arms fire, plus infra-red headlights that allow soldiers to see at night and send messages to other vehicles. It also features fingerprint authentication and is capable of dispensing a crowd-controlling pepper spray. The high-tech vehicle is the first to feature several new electronic and communication devices including a pinpoint laser-guided missile, 360-degree video cameras, and an interactive Web site built in so that the vehicle can send and retrieve data. "

Am I the only one that really doesn't like the looks of this? I guess it would be a very bad idea to become a "challenge" to your "municipal government".

How many here would like to see Hillary's storm troopers behind one of these monsters?

No, you are not the only one.

You will see this raiding your law abiding gun owning neighbor's home when the demoncrats get back in power.

Janet would have loved to have tested this out at waco.

[sparkydragon]

Prehaps you're right. Prehaps the damage has already been done. I'm still not voting for Bush again. I danced when Gore lost Florida, but, in his cowardice, I don't believe he ever would have gone this far. I DO NOT like the idea of a weapon created to control Americans in such a manner.

[avg_freeper]

How 'bout a government drive to greatly increase the number of civilians with concealed handgun permits trained in their use and maintenance. Now that's homeland security!

But what do I know?

[Doug Loss]

Just tell Jesse James at the Monster Garage that you want one; I'm sure he can build them for you.

[duk]

I told my wife after the first presidential debate that I did not trust Bush. He was and still is a "company man." I did not vote for him because I believed he would propagate the NWO agenda. Congress has most certainly aided in the Excutive branch power grab.

The Patriot/Homeland acts have in my BELIEF pushed the U.S. into a police state. The "Total Information Awareness",is an absoulutly frightening program. I agree that voting yourself out of this is impossible. It seems that in most cases it ends with war.

Also, I did not vote for Gore, but I did vote for someone I believed had a firm grasp of what America is suppose to be.

[blam]

The first one should go to Reginald Denny.

[gnarledmaw]

Bush

You have no idea how much it hurts to have to say, "Tol'ja so."

[agitator]

This Smart Truck II is a stupid toy that a handful of farm boys could "deactivate" in 5 mins if they wanted to. While it may have some use as a surveillance vehicle, the idea that it's going to be cruising around launching missiles at opponents involved in "municipal government challenges" is ridiculous. If the American people or any serious terrorists ever decided to "challenge" municipal governments to the extent that there is a need for something capable of launching missiles, they're really going to need something more like this:

 

[john316]

mount 2 30 cal's on that pup and use it for squirel huntin'

[Bottom_Gun]

it remindes me of the War Wagon, and later Lazer Wagon from the Mack Bolan "War against the mifia" series. Which was used as the inspiration for the "Stripes" Urban Assualt Vech. *L*

[sparkydragon]

I, it shames me to admit, was throughly charmed by Bush. No longer. May I ask who you did vote for and why?

[duk]

I looked into other parties and found that the constitution party to be in line with what I believe. I knew that there was no chance for a victory,however, I will no longer vote for the lesser of two evils. Shamefully, I have done this in the past. If there is no one on the ballot I trust to defend the constitution, I will not vote.

I have no regrets, nor do I feel I threw away my vote for president in 2000 because he had no chance to win. The lesser of two evils is a common theme I hear even in church while talking of elections. Doing what is right regardless of consequences should be foremost.

[HIDEK6]

Wasn't there a Dan Akroyd/John Candy war movie that had one of these in it?

[Nebr FAL owner]

I would say you know a great deal more than the members of our corrupt political class do. But that should not be surprising since the political class NEEDS you to be helpless, if you are able to look out for yourself YOU don't NEED the political class to be mommy,daddy,wet nurse & diaper changer.

[CharlesThe Hammer]

All you guys who get spooked by a little chrome and horsepower...calm down. This vehicle is not a threat to a determined and angry citizenry. Heck, a couple of guys with a frontend loader could put a major hurt on this toy. Deep breath, relax,...squeeze. Try not to work yourself up into a lather for '04; you underestimate the seditious nature of socialists. oohrah.

[RightWhale]

decent enough mileage to use for daily commuting

It looks like it might get about 45 miles down the road before it has to wait for the fuel truck to catch up.

[RoughDobermann]

Huh? What did I say?