GM Protection has been given the go-ahead from the U.S. Military to begin full-rate manufacturing of the Infantry Squad Car (ISV) that it first unveiled in 2020.

The ISV is predicated on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 pickup and is made utilizing 90% commercial-off-the-shelf elements, together with many elements from Chevrolet Efficiency and Multimatic twin spool-valve dampers. It additionally options jounce shocks, long-travel rear leaf springs, high-angle higher management arms, a metal drive shaft, ball-spline half shafts, underbody skid plates, 35-inch tires, and a cooling system from Chevrolet Efficiency.

GM Protection was awarded a $214.3 million contract in 2020 to “construct, discipline and maintain” the ISV. Greater than 300 examples have been delivered to the U.S. Military with many going to the 82^nd and 101^st Airborne Divisions.

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GM Protection designed the Colorado-based navy car to be mild sufficient so it may be sling loaded from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and compact sufficient to suit inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. It’s powered by a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 186 hp and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) and is coupled to a six-speed computerized transmission. The corporate is initially constructing 649 ISVs for the U.S. Military.

“I’m pleased with the GM Protection group for reaching this necessary milestone within the Infantry Squad Car program and am grateful for the shut relationship we preserve with our trusted U.S. Military program workplace buyer,” GM Protection president Steve duMont mentioned.

“Our flexibility in the course of the pursuit of the ISV helped us win the early phases of the contract award and has since performed a pivotal function in delivering the very best worth answer to the U.S. Military,” added GM Protection vice chairman of Product Improvement and Superior Engineering, Rick Kewley. “Not solely did buyer suggestions make the ISV higher at an accelerated tempo, nevertheless it additionally helped us deliver to bear the engineering and manufacturing experience from our guardian firm, Basic Motors, so as to add new capabilities whereas fulfilling the Military’s design and efficiency necessities. We stay assured in our means to satisfy greater manufacturing portions sooner or later.”