U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground aids USMC in certifying all-terrain vehicles for airdrop operations

Courtesy Photo | In the concluding stage of the airdrop testing for certification, which took place in February and March of this year, this two-seater Light Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle was dropped from a C-130 aircraft at an impressive altitude of nearly 18,000 feet. A Joint Precision Air Delivery System was used.  

YUMA, AZ, UNITED STATES

05.02.2024

Story by James Gilbert 

U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground

When the U.S. Marine Corps set its sights on certifying its fleet of Light Tactical All-Terrain Vehicles (LTATVs) for airdrop operations, it sought the expertise of U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) to perform the testing.

The current model of these compact vehicles, the Polaris Military Razor Alpha, comes in both two-seat and four-seat configurations. These agile machines are purpose-built to swiftly transport Marine Special forces across challenging terrains.
Their design also combines rugged durability with nimble maneuverability, making them indispensable assets for rapid deployment.

Engineer Test Technician Thomas Hall, from the Aerial Delivery Systems Branch, meticulously oversaw the airdrop testing. He said it was carried out in two stages, with low-velocity airdrops from a height of 2,000 feet executed in June and July of 2023.
These “low and slow” drops using standard parachute canopies simulated real-world scenarios, ensuring the vehicles could withstand the rigors of aerial delivery.

The last and most recent stage of the testing occurred in February and March of this year. During this phase, the LTATVs were dropped from a C-130 at a lofty height of 17,999 feet, using the Joint Precision Air Delivery System (JPADS). JPADS, a sophisticated system blending GPS precision, steerable parachutes, and onboard computing, allowed for pinpoint accuracy and illustrated that LTATVs could be dropped accurately from considerable distances away and still land on target.

“Both methods have their advantages, depending on the type of mission,” said Hall, who was inducted into the U.S. Army Rigger Hall of Fame on Feb. 26, 2024. “We needed to get three successful airdrops with each version of the vehicle for both low-velocity airdrops and JPADS.”

He went on to clarify that the only thing being tested were the vehicles themselves. All procedures for exiting the aircraft via combat expendable platforms during both methods of delivery have already been certified.

The LTATV project holds significant tactical promise. According to Hall, troops could be deployed to remote locations, with their LTATVs descending alongside them. Once their boots hit the ground, they would be able to swiftly get to anywhere they needed to go.

Whether it is in mountainous terrain or open fields, these vehicles, which are also easily transportable by rotary-wing aircraft, could be used to help move cargo and other supplies as well. Although the certification process initially focused on the Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), Hall pointed out its benefits extend beyond that branch of the service. Since MARSOC is part of the United States Special Operations Command, the LTATV certification will also apply to Army special forces once approval is granted.

Currently, Hall is in the paperwork phase, compiling a comprehensive report detailing the test findings and results to send to the Army Test and Evaluation Command.

“I think the test went well. The only difference in dropping each version of the vehicle is its weight and the size of the platform needed,” said Hall.

Simultaneously, the U.S. Army Quartermaster School, located at Fort Greg-Adams, VA, is working on a manual that outlines the rigging system and procedures employed in the LTATV certification process. This manual will eventually be distributed to field personnel.

• Date Taken: 05.02.2024
• Date Posted: 05.02.2024 10:31
• Story ID: 469978
• Location: YUMA, AZ, US
• Hometown: YUMA, AZ, US