John Deere presents its new range of military vehicles at DSEi 2011

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Online Show Daily News
DSEI 2011
International Defence & Security Equipment Exhibition
Excel London
, United Kingdom
13 - 16 September 2011
 
John Deere at DSEI 2011
 
 
Wednesday, September 14, 2011, 08:43 PM
 
John Deere presents its new range of military vehicles at DSEi 2011

First time exhibitors at DSEi 2011, John Deere and Boeing Defence UK are showing the newly developed Assisted Carriage System (ACS), based on a John Deere R-Gator robotic utility vehicle. The M-Gator A3, the latest member of the John Deere family of military vehicles, is also featured at the show.

     
First time exhibitors at DSEi 2011, John Deere and Boeing Defence UK are showing the newly developed Assisted Carriage System (ACS), based on a John Deere R-Gator robotic utility vehicle. The M-Gator A3, the latest member of the John Deere family of military vehicles, is also featured at the show.
John Deere M Gator A3
     

The R-Gator ACS, developed by Boeing Defence UK in partnership with John Deere, is a highly mobile, heavy-duty cross-country vehicle that is capable of keeping up with soldiers over rough terrain. It is designed to help reduce the amount of weight they have to carry in the field – often as much as half their own body weight in equipment, armour and supplies.

John Deere Gator utility vehicles are used by customers around the world for general transport and work applications. Based on the proven M-Gator platform, the R-Gator has been developed in direct response to military feedback received from soldiers and marines. Boeing Defence UK has integrated the R-Gator with additional technologies to enable the vehicle to better perform many tactical support functions, and meet the heavy-duty hauling requirements of military applications.

It is also fitted with precision guidance, navigation and obstacle avoidance technology that has been at work for two decades in John Deere's agricultural product range.

The ACS can support an infantry section of up to eight men by allowing them to offload up to 635kg of individual equipment. It can also carry an increased level of combat ready supplies for more effective patrolling and re-supply operations. Most importantly, the vehicle can operate autonomously or be driven manually, day and night, and it can be reconfigured to meet a multitude of ground support needs.

     
First time exhibitors at DSEi 2011, John Deere and Boeing Defence UK are showing the newly developed Assisted Carriage System (ACS), based on a John Deere R-Gator robotic utility vehicle. The M-Gator A3, the latest member of the John Deere family of military vehicles, is also featured at the show.
John Deere R Gator ACS
     

Both the R-Gator and the new M-Gator A3 feature excellent off-road capabilities, fully adjustable four-wheel independent suspension, high ground clearance and an enclosed clutch for improved fording capabilities, and a top speed of 32mph. The A3’s high standard specification includes multiple tie-down points for sling loading, underbody skid plates, a front cargo rack and a rifle mount system. A new tan livery option is now available, for better camouflage in desert and arid mountain regions.

The M-Gator A3 is the fastest commercial off-the-shelf diesel utility vehicle on the market. Taken into battle by the first units to see action in Operation Enduring Freedom, the M-Gator has been delivered to military units around the world and is used extensively in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

"By partnering with Boeing Defence UK in the development of ACS, we are in a position to lighten the dismounted soldiers’ load, reduce their fatigue, increase their endurance and remove them from harm's way," says Mark Bodwell, John Deere’s worldwide military affairs group manager.

"John Deere has a long history of supporting the military. We're proud to do so and we're committed to providing the products and features our servicemen and women need and request. The R-Gator ACS and M-Gator A3 are just the latest examples of that commitment."