Andrew White You Can Get There From Here… Special Operations Vehicles Over the last two decades, special operations forces (SOF) have deployed to some of the most austere and remote areas of the world to counter violent extremist organisations (VEO), often at reach far beyond traditional logistics support. As a result, the special operations vehicle (SOV) has provided SOF units at the lowest tactical level with critical capability in terms of mobility, lethality, survivability and connectivity. However, after just weeks have elapsed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, the international SOF community is once more considering some very different operational requirements for SOV platforms, as they consider conducting missions against highly capable and well equipped peer adversaries. Whether conducting counter-insurgency operations in the Sahel region of West Africa or offensive action missions in eastern Europe, modern SOF units are demanding access to a wide variety of SOV platforms, heavily dependent upon the mission at hand. As a result, SOF units around the world must retain access to a fleet of light, medium and heavy SOVs, in addition to non-conventional types of vehicles, which can be used for more discreet and even clandestine special operations. Light Lightweight Tactical All Terrain Vehicles (LTATVs) provide small units with maximum levels of mobility, in addition to the capability for transporting a limited number of light, medium and even heavy weapons and specialist equipment for a specific mission. LTATVs can support long-range operations, often forward-deployed as internally transportable vehicles in the cargo holds of transport helicopters – a concept often referred to by the SOF community as ‘fly and drive’ operations. However, due to their limited size, power and payload capacity (typically, they can carry between two to four operators), LTATVs are unable to provide SOF operators with adequate levels of survivability. Instead, platforms rely upon high levels of manoeuvrability and appropriate tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) to evade detection and/or targeting by enemy forces. Medium Medium SOVs, which can also be used to support ‘fly and drive’ operations, are capable of carrying between six to eight personnel, in addition to a greater amount of payload capacity, by comparison with lighter SOVs. Additional payload capacity can be used to carry greater volumes of firepower, C4ISTAR mission suites, armour and/or specialist equipment, including tethered UAS. The larger chassis design of a medium SOV also means larger fuel tanks can be used to support enduring special operations, which could include long-range reconnaissance missions in the most remote areas of the world. Heavy At the heavy end of the scale, SOVs resemble mine resistant, ambush protected (MRAP)-style platforms, which are ideally suited to enabling the tactical insertion and extraction of assault teams, particularly useful in dense urban environments, where the threat of ambush can be more prevalent. Heavy SOVs, which can carry more than a dozen operators, provide the necessary scale of payload to carry maximum levels of ballistic protection; iC4ISTAR mission suites to coordinate command and control and situational awareness; and, finally, integrated remote weapon stations or turrets to provide assault teams with organic firepower. Non-Standard Finally, civilian armoured vehicles (CAVs) and non-standard commercial vehicles (NSCVs) can be employed by SOF for more discreet operations, particularly when conducting operations with partner nation forces. Typically up-armoured and featuring upgraded suspension systems, CAVs and NSCVs still provide small unit teams with 4x4 mobility, albeit with limited additional payload capacity. These types of vehicles have been particularly popular during campaigns in the Middle East, allowing SOF teams to blend into local environments. Emerging Requirements Seeking to maintain tactical advantage on the contemporary battlefield, SOF units regularly pursue a wide range of improvements to SOVs, ranging from the integration of emerging technologies through to more efficient and cost-effective maintenance, repair and overhaul procedures. Areas of interest include the introduction of hybrid electric engines, which could allow SOF to conduct ‘silent drive’ approaches to target areas in a more stealthy manner. Similarly, another emerging and critical requirement is the reduction in electromagnetic signatures of SOVs, to reduce detection and targeting by enemy forces equipped with surveillance sensors. Similarly, SOF continue to explore (semi-) autonomous capabilities for SOVs – a concept which would allow small units to quickly re-role LTATVs in particular to conduct reconnaissance, fire support and even distraction operations. SOF are also interested in the development of scalable and lighter weight armour materials. Current armour solutions can be heavy, while also decreasing levels in SOV durability over time. Also being pursued are efforts to increase storage capacity; reductions in gross vehicle weight (associated with armour upgrades); generation of exportable power; enhanced networking (C4ISTAR); telepresence for optionally-piloted platforms; and augmented reality (AR) capabilities to support maximum levels of situational awareness. With a background embracing multiple tours with the British armed forces and a wealth of experience in covering defence issues as a reporter, Andrew White regularly covers the special operations beat for MilTech. Comment MT 3/2022 · 5
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