Country of origin |
United States |
Entered service |
2015-2016 |
Configuration |
4x4 |
Cab seating |
1 + 3 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight (curb) |
2.31 t |
Payload capacity |
2.5 t |
Length |
4.62 m |
Length (with push bar and winch) |
4.9 m |
Width |
1.52 /
1.83
m |
Height |
1.52 m |
Mobility |
Engine |
diesel |
Engine power |
195 hp |
Maximum road speed |
136 km/h |
Range |
560 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
60% |
Side slope |
40% |
Vertical step |
~ 0.4 m |
Trench |
~ 0.4 m |
Fording |
~ 0.5 m |
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The Flyer is
a light special forces vehicle. It was developed by General Dynamics
to meet a US Special Operations Command's Ground Mobility Vehicle
1.1 requirement. This requirement called for a
lightweight internally transportable vehicle with high off-road
mobility to replace the venerable
HMMWV
in special forces service. The Flyer competed against other designs, such as
Oshkosh S-ATV to meet this requirement. Eventually in 2013 the
General Dynamics won the competition and the Flyer was selected for
production. Initial production contract for the Flyer-72 was awarded
during the same year. Low-rate initial
production began in 2014. A total of 72 vehicles were planned to be
delivered to the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) by 2016.
Under initial contract a total of 1 300 of these special forces
vehicles are planned to be in service by late 2020. Some of the US
special forces Flyer vehicles saw combat. In 2018 the US Army
awarded a production contract for this vehicle to support 5 airborne
brigade combat teams. Italian Army obtained a small number of these
fast attack vehicles.
This special
forces vehicle can be used for specialized missions such as light
assault, hit-and-run style raids, reconnaissance, long-range
surveillance, rescue and evacuation.
Vehicle has a lightweight
tubular chassis with a built-in roll bars. The Flyer has a payload
capacity of 2 500 kg. It can carry more load that its own weight.
This special forces vehicle is operated by a crew of 4, including
the driver.
This little
vehicle packs a formidable punch. It has
a central weapon ring, that rotates through 360 degreed. It can be
armed with 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun, or alternatively a 40 mm
automatic grenade launcher. Also there are additional integral
mounts in the doors for
7.62 mm machine guns. So other crew members can also use suppressive weapons.
There are
two versions of the Flyer 60 and Flyer 72 with various width. Number
in the designation denotes vehicle width in inches. So the Flyer 60
is 1.52 m wide, while the Flyer 72 is 1.83 m wide. The last
mentioned has more internal space. Otherwise these versions are
similar and use the same automotive components.
This special
forces vehicle has multiple crew
configurations. It can be rapidly reconfigured in the field to meet
various mission requirements.
Up to 80% of
the Flyer's automotive components, including engine and powertrain,
are used by HMMWVs or commercially available. Its 1.9-liter turbocharged
diesel engine develops 195
hp. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Vehicle has a
selectable 4x2 or 4x4 configuration. It can be fitted with a
self-recovery winch.
From the
earliest stage the Flyer was designed as an airportable vehicle. It
can be airlifted both internally or externally by a
CH-47 Chinook, larger military helicopters, or
V-22 Osprey tiltrotor transport. The Flyer can be
carried externally even by a
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. This special forces vehicle can be
airlifted by a
C-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft. After exiting the
aircraft it is ready for battle in less than one minute.
Variants
Flyer-72 is
a baseline version, used by the US SOCOM. Number "72" in the
designation denotes vehicle width in inches (1.83 m). It can be
configured to transport up to 9 soldiers. 3 seats are at the front,
3 at the rear, 2 at the rear deck, plus 1 gunner seat. Driver is
seated in the middle. For medical evacuation role the Flyer-72 can
carry up to 5 litters. This vehicle was adopted as the M1288.
Flyer-60 is
a narrower version. Number "60" in the designation denotes vehicle
width in inches (1.52 m). In 2013 the US SOCOM awarded General
Dynamics a contract to produce a small batch of narrower Flyers. It
uses the same engine, suspension, transmission and electrical
systems as the baseline Flyer-72. This vehicle accommodates driver
and 3 passengers. Add-on armor package was developed for this
vehicle. It provides some degree of protection against direct fire,
artillery shell splinters, landmines and improvised explosive
devices.
M1297 is a
Flyer adopted by the US Army to support 5 airborne brigade combat
teams. Production contract was awarded in 2018. It is similar to
the M1288 vehicle used by the US SOCOM. In fact these vehicles share
90% of their parts.
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