GM Defense has delivered the first Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) to the U.S. Army as part of a US$ 214.3 million contract awarded in June. In total, GM Defense will manufacture 649 ISVs and support the production of up to 2,065 vehicles with additional authorization over eight years. This is a big deal for GM as it marks the first major award and delivery for GM Defense since the subsidiary was reestablished in 2017.
The ISV is a light and agile all-terrain
troop carrier intended to transport a nine-soldier infantry squad and their
equipment. Based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 midsize truck architecture, the
Infantry Squad Vehicle leverages 90 percent proven commercial-off-the-shelf
(COTS) parts, including Chevrolet Performance race components.
The expeditionary ISV is engineered to
fulfill military requirements and designed to provide rapid ground mobility.
Weighing in at 2,268 kg, it is light enough to be sling loaded
from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and compact enough to fit inside a CH-47
Chinook helicopter for air transportability.
Powering the ISV is the GM Duramax 2.8L
turbo diesel four-cylinder engine with a performance tune producing
“significantly more power” than in stock configuration. On the Colorado ZR2,
the engine makes 186 HP and 500 Nm of torque. Chevrolet Performance
race components include the long-travel Multimatic DSSV dampers, jounce shocks,
long-travel rear leaf springs, high-angle upper control arms, ball-spline half
shafts, steel drive shaft, underbody skid plates, cooling system and 35-inch
diameter tires.
