All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)
All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are a favorite method of getting around for many Special Operations Forces. These small 4 or 6-wheeled vehicles have excellent mobility over rough ground and are equally at home in the Iraqi desert or the mountain paths of Afghanistan.
ATVs offer virtually no baliistic protection to the riders but their small size, speed and manouverability make them ideal for Special Operations use. It's easier to hide a cache of ATVs in folds in the terrain that it is a full-size HMMMV or other large 4x4. Delta Force, SEALs, Green Berets and other SOF have made extensive use of ATVs in Afghanistan.
ATVs typically feature:
- tow hitch for the attachment of various trailers
- engines that either run on diesel, gasoline or JP8 (standard military fuel)
- handlebar steering mechanism
Special features added to some SOF ATVs include:
- exhaust mufflers for reduced sound output
- headlight switchable to emit an infrared beam
in this mode only someone where night vision goggles can see the headlights - it's rumoured that Delta Force operate electrically-driven ATVs which have a very low aucoustic signature
Models typically found in U.S. military use are:
- Polaris MV800
the MV800 was introduced in 2007, replacing the MV700 previously used. It's Patriot engine can run on diesel, JP8 and even gasoline. - Polaris MV850
features 850cc / 77hp 4-stroke SOHC Twin Cylinder Gas Engine, 11.75 gal/ 44.5 L fuel capacity, Electronic Power Steering, Black-Out Drive and IR Capable, 500 lbs. / 680.4 kg Towing Capacity
A member of the 10th Special Forces Group drives a ATV over rough terrain during training.
U.S. Army photo by Martin Greeson/Released
A U.S. Army Special Forces soldier operates a Polaris M700 ATV in Afghainstan. Note the M240 belt-fed machine gun mounted on the ATV (spare ammo box on the ATV's flat bed area).
US DoD photo by Sgt. Teddy Wade
Green Berets with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) train on Polairs MV850 ATVs. Note the storage racks fitted to the ATVs, A front rack can carry 200lbs of mission equipment and, if fitted, a rear rack can carry upt to 400lbs of gear.
U.S. Army photo by Spc. Steven Young/Released
U.S. Air Force personnel on board a 4x4 ATV
U.S. Dod Photo by : TSGT JAMES E. LOTZ, USAF
