MRZR X UTV, MRZR D, DAGOR vehicle detailed

Polaris Government & Defense (Polaris) is ever increasingly focused on the entire life cycle of its products. In one instance, Polaris is moving beyond the delivery phase of its 2016 contract to deliver 144 four-seat diesel MRZR vehicles as part of the utility task vehicle (UTV) programme, which will provide MRZR D4s to each of the Marine Corps’ active-component infantry regiments.

A follow-on contract was for 100-plus vehicles, bringing the total for that vehicle to more than 244. “We’re in a sustainment phase for that particular vehicle. We’re proud of the fact that vehicle was chosen as the UTV, and we’re very happy to be supporting the service in this programme,” Nick Francis, the company’s Director for SOF Programs and USMC Programs, said.

Team Polaris (Polaris and Applied Research Associates Inc. – ARA) and its advanced MRZR X multi-mode vehicle platform have been selected by the US Army to be one of the robotic systems used by infantry brigade combat teams for upcoming trials as part of the Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) programme. The service ordered 20 “X” vehicles under this contract.

In an effort to remain expeditionary and support troops both forward deployed and elsewhere, Polaris is also, “certainly laser focused on providing light tactical mobility in the V-22 OSPREY and the CH-47 CHINOOK transportable space, in particular for the MRZR and DAGOR vehicle families.” To this end, Mr.Francis noted the imperative to keep its vehicles as light as possible, and provide curb weights on Polaris vehicles which are lower than competing vehicles.

While Polaris continues to monitor acquisition interest in its products from SOCOM and the US services, it is also remaining attentive to the non-US market. The corporate programme director observed: “We continue to see requests for foreign military sales contracts for our vehicles, primarily the MRZR diesel (D variant), but also for those powered by gas. We’re in about 35 nations – international business remains important.”

As Polaris’s main technology focus is developing the autonomous technology of the MRZR X, it is also attentive to enhancing other technologies and products several years out on its business horizon. “We’ll have some things to announce that we will share with you and others. As military vehicle requirements change, we change with them.”

Marty Kauchak