U.S. Special Operations Forces have a new light tactical vehicle, the Polaris MRZR Alpha. Following a competitive bid process, General Services Administration (GSA) awarded a follow-on contract to Polaris Government and Defense, a division of global powersports leader Polaris Inc., for the Light Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (LTATV). The MRZR Alpha supports U.S. Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) requirements for durability, performance, payload profile and internal air transportability. Polaris has had the privilege of providing vehicles to USSOCOM since 2005. The MRZR Alpha’s versatility is further enhanced by improved exportable power and increased payload. Since their introduction, MRZRs have been outfitted with counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), high-energy laser systems , autonomy packages, litters for medical evacuation.
The MRZR Alpha is Polaris’ 11th military vehicle produced in 12 years. The LTATV specification – which calls for a 2-passenger and 4-passenger base vehicle, and seven variants or “packages” – results in a revolutionary new capability. Designed on an all new chassis, the MRZR Alpha is an entirely new breed of light tactical vehicle. Internally transportable vehicles have restrictions to size and weight, but Polaris’ investment and advances in chassis, driveline, suspension, and other technologies have allowed the company to provide a new level of durability, performance, and payload in the MRZR Alpha. Vehicle systems were also designed with near-future innovation in mind, with an architecture ready to accept new technologies and capabilities available within Polaris.
The seven-year contract calls for two and four-seat diesel vehicles and seven variants or packages. Missionization packages include a diesel-electric hybrid engine, rear-facing seats and rear ROPS, modular cargo area, top-mounted weapons integration, roof kit, enclosure or cab kit and arctic mobility package. The contract has a value of up to $109 million and was awarded on May 29, 2020. The contract also includes systems engineering support and training for the new LTATV. Polaris is a global company that trains and supports over 3,500 dealers with products sold to 120 countries. Polaris has been supplying traditional technical and parts manuals along with in-person training to the military for years – and leveraging corporate resources, Polaris can also offer new training opportunities to the military.
Polaris designs, engineers and produces its MV850 ATV, MRZR and DAGOR military vehicles in the U.S. As the next-generation LTATV, the Polaris MRZR Alpha represents the insertion of cutting-edge off-road vehicle technology – derived from millions of research and development investments to keep Polaris in front of the highly competitive off-road vehicle market. And like all Polaris military platforms, the new MRZR Alpha continues a legacy of light tactical military vehicles that are intuitive to operate, easy to maintain, and easy to globally support within an existing worldwide infrastructure of parts distribution and dealer service networks.
