The SmarTruck II was designed and engineered by Bran Ferren of Applied Minds for the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command's National Automotive Center (NAC) from a modified Chevrolet Silverado. The 6-wheeled (3-axle) truck was designed to use a quick change modular system to utilize many types of equipment on the same base vehicle such as a guided missile launcher with a 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) range, a launcher for a remote-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle, power distribution, lighting, etc. The stated mission of the vehicle is counter-terrorism for the United States Department of Homeland Security, but could be easily adapted for other uses; medical response, emergency power and lighting, unlimited modularity.
Contents
NAC executive director Dennis Wend says that he was inspired by a James Bond film when producing the SmarTrucks.
Additional Features
The SmarTruck II has a night vision system, a (50x zoom) video system with thermal imaging and surveillance radar, cameras covering 360° (including one under the vehicle), and a 12,000-pound, straight-line hydraulic towing winch. The grille is covered by a metal bullet-resistant brushguard.
Variants
Variants of the SmarTruck II are designed to carry water or additional communications equipment.