GM Defense has teamed with Maryland-based Mistral Inc. to equip the company’s Light Tactical Utility Vehicle (LTUV) with a loitering munition system.
The LTUV is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison pickup truck and features other commercial off-the-shelf parts to boost its off-road capability.
Alongside different seating configurations, the LTUV incorporates the “Chevrolet Performance” upgrade that was originally developed to modernize the car parts of race teams.
Mistral will provide the UVision Hero 120, a kamikaze drone targeting enemy assets without exposing warfighters to direct fire.
The loitering munition weighs 14.5 kilograms (32 pounds) and includes a 4.5-kilogram (10-pound) warhead.
It has a flight endurance of up to 60 minutes, a range of 60 kilometers (37 miles), a maximum operational ceiling of 3,000 feet (914 meters), and a low-temperature capability down to -28 degrees Celsius (-18.4 Fahrenheit).
“We’re seeing an increased need for light tactical wheeled vehicles that deliver agility, speed and lethality,” GM Defense Business Development VP John Johnson stated.
“Our collaboration with Mistral demonstrates the versatility of our utility concept vehicle and its ability to enhance the tactical capabilities of warfighters.”
“We will continue to look for opportunities to showcase the value these integrated technologies deliver to defense customers.”
Setting a ‘New Standard’
The consortium wrote that the LTUV will support sustained operations in austere conditions, with maintenance backed by GM Defense’s global supply chain.
In addition to the vehicle’s rear cargo bed applications in logistics, command and control, electronic warfare, and counter unmanned aircraft system missions, GM noted that the platform can carry the Hero 120’s accompanying Expeditionary Multi-Canister Launcher for rapid, multiple, and more effective firing.
“This integration sets a new standard in military technology, providing the US Army and allied forces with an unparalleled combination of mobility, precision and adaptability,” Mistral VP Yoav Banai said.
“Our collaboration with GM Defense reflects our combined commitment to advancing military capabilities and to evolving battlefield challenges.”
