The market for light military vehicles is becoming increasingly interesting, with some particularly striking models.
Yesterday, the British company Fering presented a military version of its Pioneer FP1 electric off-roader, presented in 2021 and which was already the subject of attention by various specialized automotive media for two characteristics: its autonomy of up to 7,000 km and its fabric body on a lightweight modular aluminum chassis, two characteristics that already indicated its possible orientation towards military customers. The military version is called Pioneer X and this is its presentation video:
It should be noted that this off-roader is described by Fering as "electric" , since it is powered by two separate electric motors (one on each axle), but the key to its extreme autonomy is partly explained by a combustion engine to recharge its batteries . As noted by the British website Autocar.co.uk in 2021, the initial version of the vehicle included an 800 cc Smart turbodiesel engine. Its autonomy using only its batteries is 80 km.
Yesterday, Janes.com noted that the Pioneer X uses a multi-fuel tank and a generator that powers small batteries, reserving battery-only mobility for trips that need to be quiet. The Pioneer X can carry up to 110 gallons (416 liters) of fuel, so depending on loaded weight, speed and terrain conditions, it could have a range of up to 7,000 km.
In the video description, Fering highlights that "the Pioneer X is a specialized variant developed in collaboration with international special forces, offering unmatched flexibility and capability. Thanks to its modular design, the Pioneer X can be customized in hours, not days, ensuring mission readiness in any scenario."
In the video we see this vehicle armed with a 12.7 mm Browning M-2 machine gun on top, a 7.62 mm FN MAG machine gun in the front right position (curiously, despite being a British vehicle, it has the steering wheel on the left) and eight smoke grenade launchers on its front, as passive defense. The vehicle has four seats, weighs 1,650 kg empty, with a load capacity of up to 1,850 kg.
The British company also notes that "the built-in power station supports essential equipment such as e-bikes, drones, and communication devices, enabling extended off-grid operations." Furthermore, in addition to its ability to operate in silent mode, the Pioneer X has a "low-thermal signature and advanced thermal masking technologies – delivering a tactical advantage for covert operations."
The United Kingdom already has a long experience of special operations vehicles. In fact, the British Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) pioneered this type of vehicle during World War II, with its Chevrolet WB 30 cwt 4x2 modified in 1940 and the famous Desert Raider version of the Willys Jeep in 1942. In the post-war period, the Special Air Service (SAS) used models such as the Chevrolet WB 30 cwt 4x2 modified in 1940 and Desert Raider version of the Willys Jeep in 1942. In the post-war period, the Chevrolet WB 30 cwt 4x2 modified in 1940 and Land Rover WMIK, the Land Rover 110 Patrol Desert Vehicle and, more recently, the MWMIK Jackal.
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Images: Fering.
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