Marine Buggy Expecting New Upgrades

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The United States Marine Corps is expecting to add a series of upgrades to its lightweight tactical dune buggy. Approximately 250 Marine Utility Task Vehicles (UTV) are getting new tires, canopies, floorboards, and other features that will improve their functionality, safety, and utility. The vehicle upgrades are the result of the off-road buggy being driven in extreme conditions.

The Polaris-made UTV has been operated by Marines since 2017. Marines utilize the small off-road vehicle to quickly zip in and out of hard to reach spaces.  The four person vehicle could easily fit into a MV-22B Osprey or a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter to be easily shipped to hard to reach areas.

The Marine Corps has purchased the UTV off the shelf, meaning they military pretty much got a commercial variant of the Polaris MRZR. These variants incorporate very little, if at all, military gear tailored towards the Marines. However, in 2020, this is expected to change.

One upgrade expected to arrive is high-clearance control arms, the part of the vehicle’s suspension that attaches to the tire. Since Marines tend to drive on difficult terrains, rocks and other debris often hit the control arms and damage the vehicle. Higher clearance control arms allow the vehicle to avoid larger rocks and obstructions.

Harsh terrain would also cause damage to the vehicle’s floorboard. Sticks and branches would stick through the plastic floorboard, creating a safety hazard. Now an Ohio based company will supply the Marines with a lightweight aluminum floorboard for the UTV.

Marine have also been complaining about the vehicle’s clutch. In response, Polaris will ship better clutch kits to the service.

Polaris will also supply Marines with a new environmental protection cover, which will protect Marines from rain or the sun.

The vehicle’s tires will also be upgraded. Military.com reports that the new tires will use run-flat inserts, which allow the vehicle to continue driving if a tire is punctured. There are 16 inflatable cells in each tire, so if one cell is punctured, there are still 15 other full cells available to continue driving on.

Finally, each UTV will get a kit with a horn, rearview mirror, and turn signals.