As part of a defense contract totaling over $214 million, GM has successfully delivered its first Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) to the U.S. Army. The capable vehicle is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, a rugged pick up with all the hallmarks of solid GM engineering. Teams have managed to create the ISV package without sacrificing superfluous resources; As a result, the ISV derives 90% of its construction from readily available, off-the-shelf parts.
David Albritton, President of GM Defense, commented “It’s indeed an honor to leverage our parent company’s experience as one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers to design, build and deliver the best technologies available to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and our allies.”
The company has harnessed its extensive supply chain, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and technology to create a vehicle ideal for the Army’s needs. Here we will take a closer look at the ZR2-based ISV and its specifications.
The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
The Colorado ZR2 is a midsize truck offered by Chevrolet. Its off-road capabilities have been highly acclaimed, with Popular Mechanics explaining that “If you need one off-roader to do it all, this is the truck”. The ZR2 was one out of just 4 vehicles (amidst 434 competitors) to complete 11 consecutive Best in the Desert races, substantiating its off-road performance claims.
A 2.8L Duramax diesel is one of two engine choices for the truck, delivering 186 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with a 5,000lb towing capacity. Chevrolet also offers a 3.6L V6 with 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. The ZR2 comes standard with a myriad of rugged enhancements including a 48mm factory lift and skid plates.
GM Awarded The ISV Contract
The ISV program had been discussed since 2015 and was realized following the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. This bill authorized appropriations for the Department of Defense, including the procurement of tracked combat vehicles, aircraft, and missiles with their associated research and development. These authorizations are among the numerous appropriations addressed in the bill.
GM Defense was awarded the U.S. Army contract for the Infantry Squad Vehicle and delivered its first vehicle in 2020. Two additional teams competed for the contract, namely Oshkosh and Flyer Defense and SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation) and Polaris. These teams also received $1 million to develop an ISV concept.
The contract value of $214.3 million accounts for the first 649 ISVs produced by the automaker. GM Defense was able to deliver an Infantry Squad Vehicle to the military within 120 days of being awarded the contract, an impressive turn around time. According to the plan, GM will manufacture 649 of these vehicles by 2024 and a total of 2,065 with authorization.
“We’re leveraging General Motors’ engineering prowess and immense manufacturing capabilities to bring transformative solutions to the military vehicle market”, said GM Defense President David Albritton; “Our initial success with the ISV shows our commitment to our customer and highlights our unique right to win in the military mobility market.”
To optimize the ISV process GM partnered with Ricardo Defense, a company based in Troy, Michigan. This company will help train personnel on the ISV as well as create technical manuals and provide field service support. This “integrated product support” will facilitate the various operations needed to provide the military with effective ISV solutions.
Field Capabilities And Construction
The infantry vehicle design is based on the Colorado ZR2 platform. Optimized for off-road performance, the ZR2 provides agility and confidence in diverse terrain. The ISV build utilizes 90% off the shelf production parts, making the concept more cost-effective. It is also fitted with various Chevrolet Performance components and an Innovative Rollover Protection System.
Chad Hall Racing has collaborated with GM on off-road versions of the ZR2. Multimatic dual spool-valve dampers are a unique feature that will also be used on the ISV. It will derive its power from the 3.8L Duramax turbo diesel engine, modified to be more powerful. The engine's output is augmented to 275 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Legendary NASCAR competitor Hendrick Motorsports will actively participate in the build, fitting it with a chromium-molybdenum exoskeleton and welding key structural components.
According to reports, 27 ISVs will be built at GM’s Milford Proving Ground before production is moved to Concord, North Carolina. There, GM Defense is building a new facility that is set to begin operating in 2021. The production rate will be around 14 vehicles per month.
“During soldier testing, the feedback we received was paramount in delivering a vehicle that met Soldiers’ needs, while maximizing safety and performance and taking their comfort into consideration”, said Mark Dickens, Chief Engineer at GM Defense. “The production ISV we’re delivering today is an evolution from our original prototype design, and it’s certainly a vehicle that is a source of pride for the team.”
In accordance with military needs, the vehicle has a capacity for 9 soldiers while maintaining dimensions conducive to transport. The ISV can fit inside a CH-47 Chinook, and at 5,000lbs is sufficiently lightweight to be sling-loaded from a UH-60 Black Hawk.
Sources: Defense News, Chevrolet Pressroom, GM Authority, Congress.gov, MotorTrend
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