[url]http://autoshow.msn.com/autoshow2003/article.aspx?xml=Army[/url]

[img]http://photos.ar15.com/WS_Content/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=3999[/img]
[b]The Army’s National Automotive Center (NAC) brought a counterterrorism SmarTruck II to the Auto Show in Detroit.[/b]

[img]http://photos.ar15.com/WS_Content/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=4000[/img]
[b]The SmarTruck II on display was fitted with military equipment including a guided missile launcher[/b]

[img]http://photos.ar15.com/WS_Content/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=4002[/img]
[b]
The driver area has regular shifter and steering wheel, but other buttons and controls inside link to communications, data and weapons systems.[/b]


A modified Chevrolet Silverado platform fitted with modules of counterterrorism equipment just might be the next big thing for homeland security.


“SmarTruck II is engineered to meet the nontraditional challenges of today’s military,” said Dennis Wend, executive director of the Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command’s National Automotive Center (NAC). “It provides built-in flexibility and offensive capability [for a variety of situations].”


The jet black prototype SmarTruck II unveiled at the North American International Auto Show didn’t much look like a Silverado pickup truck.


Rather than the usual two axles, the SmarTruck II has three, and all six wheels drive the vehicle all the time.


This is key to the SmarTruck II’s appeal, Wend said. The modification gives the SmarTruck II a 5-ton payload, so it can carry a bevy of counterterrorism equipment, much of it packaged in armored, self-contained stainless steel modules. The modules can be swapped out for other non-terrorism-related modules when needed.


For example, the SmarTruck II could carry water purification systems on disaster relief missions and communication systems for surveillance missions.


The flexibility could allow many government agencies—from FEMA to the FBI to the military—to share the vehicle, Wend said. “You won’t need to have unique trucks with installed equipment; you can just have the modules [stationed] around the United States [ready for use when needed].”


The SmarTruck II on the show floor was clearly armed for military duty. The vehicle was fitted with a guided missile launcher that has a two-mile range and a launcher for a remote-controlled Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV).


Other features: A night vision system, a high-power (50X) zoom video system with thermal imaging and surveillance radar, 360-degree cameras including one under the vehicle to help the driver prevent undercarriage damage when driving off road, and a 12,000-pound, straight-line hydraulic towing winch.


Tires are run-flats, and the grille is covered by a large metal brush guard that’s bullet-resistant to keep small armaments from puncturing the engine block.


Wend said the SmarTruck II evolved out of SmarTruck I, which was unveiled at the auto show a year ago. Testing on the SmarTruck II will begin shortly, and NAC officials hope to find interested customers wanting to buy.


But there’s a hefty price premium for this kind of Silverado. Wend said it would cost $75,000 to $100,000 just for the modified chassis with six-wheel-drive system and some kind of on-board communications system.

I think that's legal in Texas!  I want one.

Please.

CMOS

Sharing it with the FBI & FEMA?  Not a good idea...

KingOfTheBumps

I don't see Bill Murray in any of the pictures...

It looks cool yes, I doubt its function and it is probaly a deathtrap

Were taking this thing seriously? I was taking it more as "The SUV From Hell"/Road Warrior stand point.

OK, I'll play, lets debate the merits of this as an effective counter-terror tool.  

Its got "Hit me with a cheap Russian anti-tank rocket" written all over it.

Anti-terror teams could drive that thing unnoticed into places like Pakistan and Afghanistan and use some communications modules to find some terrorists.  Then the team could sneak up on the terrorists (using the truck's stealthy black paint technology) and fire a missle at them.  Since the truck is so inconspicuous they could also just park it in downtown baghdad or something and wait for sodom hussein to show up...

I'd still own one if I could. You know, for offroading.

I can see more rappers dying this year if that truck gets into their hands.

My thoughts exactly! [:)]

I'll bet if someone rammed an airliner with it before takeoff they could prevent a terrorist from flying it into a tower.  Maybe they can use it to run over punks who wrap themselves in TNT, sneak around and detonate themselves.  That'd work, right?[:D]

I vote 'cool looking' but "useless'.

"Ya think you hate it now, but wait till you drive it!" - Vacation

Rocket magnet.

It is the new Urban Assault Truck, and if you call me Francis, I'll Kill You!

Dizzam! Dat ride be PHAT, yo! It got all da fly bling-bling up in yo shiznit, G.

Seriously, this has got to be the most hideous waste of taxpayers' dollars since Hillary Clinton was put in charge of national healthcare.

Whoa!!! The U.S. military has gone Third-World. [V]

My thoughts exactly!  Of course with all that chrome on it, it ought to be able to sneak into the ghetto unnoticed.  Now all it needs is a lowering kit, hydraulics, Bazooka tubes and some low-profile Daytons.

Homeland security is a guy with an AR strapped to his back, watching over his neighbors.

It is not a Chevy with a soldier in it, watching over some random civilans. (or watching, as opposed to watching over...)

Me, I wouldn't mind one. I'd also want to get Robocop to drive it, and put R2D2 in the back, but that's just me.

Don't worry....the same yuppies who are buying the hummers will buy these. They will impress buffy and chip at the country club.

Once again, the Army wastes precious funds for RECRUITING.  This thing is a death-trap to any terrorist with the will.

Want to bet the only action this thing is gonna see is at high school and college recruiting sessions?

I seriously doubt anyone is going to be buying one of these.  The Detroit auto show is probably the first and last time anyone will ever see one.  NAC has to do [b]something[/b] to justify next years budget...especially since the armed forces dont appear particularly interested in developing any new land vehicles.  Tax dollars at work.