US Marines RST-V Hybrid Tactical Vehicle

The Shadow is fitted with a pneumatic suspension. It's dimensions can be reduced by allowing the tyres to be pulled in (from 79in footprint to 62in) and the height can be dropped so the base of the vehicle is 0.1m off the ground. Crucially, this will enable transport by V-22 tiltrotor.

Electric Drive System

The hybrid electric drive enables the Shadow to operate in stealth, hybrid and engine only modes. The stealth mode can be powered by battery only use, which reduces acoustic and thermal signatures.

During rapid acceleration, maximum torque, or to recharge the battery pack, the Shadow is operated in hybrid mode using power from the diesel engine and taking energy from or returning it to the batteries as needed. The Shadow is used in engine only mode to drive the vehicle.

By eliminating the conventional mechanical drive train the Shadow's interior can have the same cubic storage as a HMMWV yet fit within the V-22 envelope.

The Shadow has a maximum road speed of 112km per hour. The vehicle has a capacity of 95 litres of fuel and an unrefuelled range of 758km at a speed of 50km per hour. On battery power alone the vehicle's range is 32km.

Surveillance Systems

A 3m extending mast equipped with a suite of electro-optical sensors is fitted to the Shadow, including a dual field of view day and thermal imaging sensor, operating at 3 to 5 microns wavelength, as well as a Northrop Grumman Lightweight Laser Designator and Ranger (LLDR). The sensor suite is linked to an inertial navigation and GPS with a Smiths Industries north direction finder with azimuthal accuracy of 3.6 mil. The communications systems include an ITT SINCGARS ASIIIP VHF transponder and satellite communications.

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