Military and Strategic Journal
Issued by the Directorate of Morale Guidance at the General Command of the Armed Forces
United Arab Emirates
Founded in August 1971

2022-06-01

MRZR Alpha:LTV with Durable Chassis, Powerful Engine

Polaris Government and Defense’s MRZR Alpha is an agile and compact new breed light tactical vehicle (LTV) that fulfills an evolving and expanding mission set for special operations and expeditionary forces.
 
The 11th military vehicle produced in 12 years by Polaris, the largest ultralight tactical vehicle provider for the U.S. military and a division of global powersports leader Polaris Inc., MRZR Alpha represents the insertion of cutting-edge off-road vehicle technology for ultimate tactical mobility – derived from years of focussed research and development investments.
MRZR Alpha is the highest performing MRZR yet – and established an all-new breed of vehicles that is internally transportable via V-22 in a more capable package to ensure mission success.
 
The MRZR Alpha provides durability to meet an extended life-cycle and is agile in off-road environments to support operators, besides being lightweight for tactical air transport.
 
New Larger Chassis 
A new chassis provides a larger and durable foundation for the latest MRZR, which is powered by a high-performance eight-speed automotive transmission and a powerful four-stroke, 118 hp turbo-diesel engine. This provides 200 ft-lbs of efficient torque that, when combined with a selectable locker for the 2WD/4WD drive system, delivers superior off-road manoeuvrability and handling in the most demanding environments, including deep sand. 
 
In the cab, there is increased exportable power, more space and a greater configurability. 
Developed for U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), the vehicle supports requirements for a longer life-cycle while increasing performance and payload and maintaining internal air transportability. 
 
Enhanced Versatility, Mobility 
MRZR Alpha’s versatility is enhanced by expanded exportable power. Its light weight and off-road capabilities make it ideal for transport via helicopter and operation in terrain that would otherwise be traversed on foot. 
MRZR Alpha maintains internal air transport requirements and adds helicopter sling load capability - providing a new level of competence within the footprint of a V-22 transportable tactical vehicle. The vehicle can be internally transported by V-22, H-47 and larger aircraft by leveraging toolless ROPS and spare tyre stowage. 
 
External transportation includes H-60 and larger rotary wing lift assets. Internally transportable vehicles have restrictions to size and weight, but Polaris’ investment and advances in chassis, driveline, suspension, and other technologies have allowed it to provide a high level of durability, performance, and payload in the MRZR Alpha. Vehicle systems were designed with near-future innovation in mind, with an architecture ready to accept new technologies and capabilities available within Polaris.
 
Payload Capacity
The payload for the MRZR Alpha two and four-seat variants increases to 1400 and 2000 lbs, respectively, and the range at gross-vehicle weight (GVW) increases to 225 miles for expanded mission flexibility. It is heavy-fuel compatible – including DF1, DF2, JP8 and F24 – and can achieve a top speed of over 96.5km/h to support convoy operations  while the maximum range of the vehicle is 362.1km.
An expanded off-road profile is made possible with 12 inches of ground clearance at full GVW, high clearance dual A-arm front and rear suspension with payload levelling, and 32-inch, high mobility run-flat tyres with bead-lock rims. 
 
Since their introduction, MRZRs have been outfitted with counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS),  direct-fire weapons, high-energy laser systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems (ISR), tactical aviation ground refuelling system, expeditionary command and control systems, autonomy packages, litters for casualty evacuation and communication equipment.
 
Beyond infantry support, the vehicle’s enhanced system design and payload capacity expand its possible mission roles to include indirect fire weapons, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) systems, network-on-the-move, logistics and missile launch. It retains a 1,500 lb towing capacity common in the MRZR family, as well as blackout mode and a two-litter capacity. The MRZR Alpha comes in two configurations, namely MRZR Alpha 2 and MRZR Alpha 4.The Alpha 2 carries two personnel, while the Alpha 4 offers additional seating to accommodate four occupants. 
 
MADIS Benefit
Polaris MRZR Alpha can be fitted with C-UAS called Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS). “Swift, Silent, Deadly” is the mantra typically used to describe a Reconnaissance Marine. The idea that one should be in and out and undetected, all while maintaining lethality, is a perfect description of an Operational Marine operating within the battlespace. In order to achieve this, Marines need to be prepared to manoeuvre at a moment’s notice.
 
The U.S. Department of Defense defines C-UAS as a system that can detect, track, identify, and defeat an Unmanned Aerial System. This C-UAS increment of the MADIS is driving the deployment of future MADIS increments, which enhance Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Marines’ current capability to counter manned aviation. 
 
MADIS allows LAAD Marines to ground-air defence protecting against low flying enemy aircraft- all while staying light and expeditious. These systems, which are outfitted with radar and electronic warfare capabilities, come mounted on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. The purpose of MADIS is to conduct short range ground-to-air targeting while on the move. 
 
The Light MADIS, or LMADIS, comes even more compact – mounted on the Polaris MRZR.
The system was developed specifically to combat the weaponised commercial drone development and is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, optics to track and monitor targets at extensive ranges, and kinetic capabilities to physically disable a UAS on approach.
 
Infiltration Platform
Marines with 3rd Marine Logistics Group and 3rd Force Reconnaissance Team dropped a Polaris MRZR, for the first time May 22, 2018, on Ie Shima Island, Okinawa, Japan, as part of regularly scheduled training.
 
According to the commanding officer of 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, the training validated the effectiveness of the rigging platform for the Polaris MRZR and trained the unit on safe and proper ways to handle the equipment.
The Polaris MRZR offers an agile off-road design that can be used for missions ranging from rapid personnel deployment to command and control and casualty evacuation to supply transport missions.
 
This drop validated the MRZR as more than just a logistics/resupply vehicle, but also an infiltration platform and a command and control platform in support of reconnaissance operations.
 
Seven-Year Contract
MRZR Alpha is currently under General Services Administration (GSA) contract through the Light Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (LTATV) programme. The contract has a value of up to $109 million and was awarded on May 29, 2020. 
The seven-year contract calls for two and four-seat diesel vehicles and seven variants or packages. Missionisation packages include a diesel-electric hybrid engine, rear-facing seats and rear ROPS, modular cargo area, top-mounted weapons integration, roof kit, enclosure or cab kit and arctic mobility package. 
 
Support and Training
Like all Polaris military platforms, the new MRZR Alpha continues a legacy of light tactical military vehicles that are intuitive to operate, easy to maintain, and easy to globally support within an existing worldwide infrastructure of parts distribution and dealer service networks.
Maintenance is simplified through an On-Board Diagnostics interface (OBD-II) for real-time feedback on the status of the vehicle subsystems and a pinpoint diagnostics manual. 
 
On board vehicle systems support future condition-based maintenance and guided diagnostics. 
Online training videos, app-based technologies and computer aided modelling within electronic technical manuals are currently offered to Polaris’ dealers and can be easily adapted to train today’s military technician. 
 
OEM Company
Throughout the 1980s and 90s, the United States military’s rising demand for off-road vehicles led to Polaris being the first ATV original equipment manufacturer (OEM)  to produce militarised vehicles for U.S. Special Operations Forces and the United States Army. To better serve its military customers, it established Polaris Defense in 2005. Today, Polaris offers full programme management and logistics support to manage traditional programmes of record for domestic and international customers. 
Polaris designs, engineers and produces its MV850 ATV, MRZR and DAGOR military vehicles in the U.0S.
 
Reference: Text/Photo: www.polaris.com
 

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