GPV wheeled vehicle family

The GPV (General Purpose Vehicles) system is a family of wheeled armoured vehicles. All versions share about 95 per cent of their components, mostly commercial heavy-truck parts. Platforms ranged from 4x4 to 10x10, with names including the 4x4x4 Sentry, 6x6x6 Commander and 8x8x8 Captain, plus an 8x8x8 Truck and flatbed versions. Interchangeable mission pods covered roles from combat and NBC warfare to homeland security and emergency response. The maker stressed that the vehicles met road emission and safety standards and carried commercial identification numbers, making them street legal.

Amphibious ability

Every GPV except the 4x4 Sergeant and the 8x8 Truck can swim with no preparation. Doors and hatches are sealed, automatic bilge pumps remove any water that gets in, and a powered swim vane at the front acts as a breakwater. Before entering the water the driver can trim the vehicle by moving fuel between its three tanks. Driven by its wheels, a GPV reaches about 3.5 mph (5.6 km/h) afloat; propellers could be added for more speed.

Automotive design

All versions use the same removable power pack: a Caterpillar C7 six-cylinder diesel of 350 hp with a five-speed automatic gearbox, on its own frame. Two technicians can change it in under five minutes, and it can run outside the vehicle for diagnosis. A separate 21 hp diesel auxiliary power unit runs the heating and air conditioning when the main engine is off. Drive is full-time to all wheels, with lockable differentials and no hub reduction gears, which the maker said reduced heat signature. All wheels steer, and the driving controls slide across so the vehicle can be driven from either side.

The independent pneumatic suspension gives more than 20 in (about 50 cm) of wheel travel. It can raise or lower the vehicle and keep it level on side slopes of up to 30 per cent. Central tyre inflation is fitted. Top road speed is 62 mph (101 km/h), and about 150 US gallons of fuel give a range of over 1,000 miles. The rear compartment carries up to 12 people, with two to six more in the forward cockpit. Cameras feed two 15-inch displays, and NBC over-pressure protection is fitted. All versions fit in a C-130 aircraft.