ABU DHABI – Newly renamed Polaris Government & Defense has unveiled the second turbo diesel ground vehicle that is commercially available to nations that need a highly-mobile light tactical vehicle.
Polaris has expanded its MRZR line of turbo diesel vehicles to include a two-seat variant called the MRZR-D2. The announcement comes less than a year after the company unveiled the inaugural vehicle in the MRZR family, which has four seats.
Polaris unveiled the high-performance MRZR-D4 off-road vehicle lineup in May. MRZRs have become synonymous with ultralight, off-road mobility for military vehicles and are in use by U.S. and more than 20 allied country special operations forces. All MRZR vehicles are V-22 helicopter transportable and can be configured a number of ways, including two-, four- and six-person setups. The turbo-charged diesel engine in the new MRZR-D has been engineered to meet the performance and physical specs of the original MRZR vehicles, Polaris said.
“In 2013 we introduced the MRZR, which led to a rapid fielding of a critical capability for Special Forces, and subsequently the selection of the MRZR as the platform for the SOCOM LTATV Program,” Jed Leonard, director of Polaris Government & Defense, said in a statement. “The pursuit of innovation and capability improvement at Polaris continues. And with the launch of the two-seat variant, our customers have even greater flexibility for their missions and can choose between gas, diesel, and now two or four seats for their MRZRs.”
Key features like dimensions, payload, towing, ground clearance, accessories, and handling remain the same but the company has taken a cue from users to improve occupant seating space, ergonomics and sightlines. The MRZR-D also provides increased auxiliary power and greater range. Production continues for the original gas powertrain MRZR 2 and MRZR 4 under the LTATV program for USSOCOM and other international contracts. Orders for the 4-seat turbo-charged MRZR-D are being accepted now, with production and deliveries also starting this year.
The two-seat variant unveiled at the International Defense Exposition, can be equipped with another two seats or one litter and a maximum payload of 1,000 pounds. The turbo diesel engine gives it 80 percent greater range than its gas-powered cousin.
The MRZR platform is flexible and modular to support uses ranging from rapid personnel deployment, to command and control, casualty evacuation to supply transport missions, the company says. The Marine Corps this year placed an order for 144 MRZR-D4 vehicles to satisfy its requirement for a utility task vehicle. The program will equip every active Marine infantry regiment with the truck.
Polaris Government & Defense is part of Polaris Industries.