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30 Mar 17. Bosnia receives HMMWVs from US government. The US government has donated 24 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) to the armed forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), with the vehicles handed over in a ceremony on 23 March. According to HMMWV manufacturer AM General, a further 20 vehicles will be delivered by the end of 2017. The vehicles, worth $3.5m, have been donated as part of a wider effort to upgrade the equipment of the BiH armed forces, providing enhanced protection, reconnaissance and tactical offensive operations capabilities for its land forces. US ambassador to BiH, Maureen Cormack, said that the vehicles, which are synonymous with the US Army and NATO are the foundation of mobile armed forces, and will give the BiH armed forces the ability to react more quickly and efficiently across the country. (Source: Shephard)
30 Mar 17. A proposal to make Oregon among the few states where military surplus Humvees can share civilian roadways with minivans, hatchbacks and sedans cleared its first major hurdle in Salem this week. Senate Bill 645 passed the Oregon Senate in a 27-2 vote Wednesday and now heads to the House. Under the proposal, retired military Humvees could get legal status for the streets through a Department of Motor Vehicles registration that’s currently used for antique cars and street rods. For a one-time $81 fee, these vehicles would permanently be legal for limited street use, such as organized club rides, exhibitions and parades. The U.S. military began selling its old Humvee fleet to civilians in late 2014 as “off-road only” vehicles, which is why many states like Oregon decline to register them.
(Source: Defense News)
30 Mar 17. US TARDEC and AM General to develop new autonomous driving vehicle. The US Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) has partnered with AM General for the development of an autonomous driving vehicle to meet military installation transport requirements. The partnership forms a part of the Applied Robotics for Installations and Base Operations (ARIBO) programme.
According to AM General, the vehicle is expected to revolutionise how soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines, along with equipment and supplies, are transported inside US military facilities.
AM General executive vice president Kevin Rahrig said: “The American-made AM General vehicle is ideally suited for this initiative which will demonstrate the ability to augment the Academy’s existing transportation system, which consists of a 24/7 shuttle service transporting cadets and other military personnel to/or from the Academy hospital.
“Imagine what having a fully autonomous wheelchair accessible vehicle would mean to individuals with disabilities. This partnership with the Army could be the first step in transforming transportation for millions of people.”
The testing of the new vehicle is expected to begin at the US Military Academy in West Point, later this year.
TARDEC’s ARIBO programme project leader Alex Jimenez said: “The West Point demonstration uses AM General’s vehicle to not only demonstrate an autonomy kit but to highlight the idea of robotics for military and civilian use.
“The best robotic systems in the world will not find traction until users are comfortable with the systems. West Point is a prime location to address the acceptance aspect of robotics by having future Army leaders see and experience these robotics first hand.” (Source: army-technology.com)
29 Mar 17. The US Army’s efforts to prototype capabilities for a possible next-generation combat vehicle are taking shape as a collaborative endeavor between industry and the service, according to the Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center’s project manager for next-generation combat vehicle prot