All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)

All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are a favorite method of getting around for many Special Operations Forces. These small 4 or 6-wheeled vehicles have excellent mobility over rough ground and are equally at home in the Iraqi desert or the mountain paths of Afghanistan.

ATVs offer virtually no baliistic protection to the riders but their small size, speed and manouverability make them ideal for Special Operations use. It's easier to hide a cache of ATVs in folds in the terrain that it is a full-size HMMMV or other large 4x4. Delta Force, SEALs, Green Berets and other SOF have made extensive use of ATVs in Afghanistan.

ATVs typically feature:

• tow hitch for the attachment of various trailers
• engines that either run on diesel, gasoline or JP8 (standard military fuel)
• handlebar steering mechanism

Special features added to some SOF ATVs include:

• exhaust mufflers for reduced sound output
• headlight switchable to emit an infrared beam
  in this mode only someone where night vision goggles can see the headlights
• it's rumoured that Delta Force operate electrically-driven ATVs which have a very low aucoustic signature

Models typically found in U.S. military use are:

• Polaris MV800
  the MV800 was introduced in 2007. It's Patriot engine can run on diesel, JP8 and even gasoline.
• Polaris MV850
  features 850cc / 77hp 4-stroke SOHC Twin Cylinder Gas Engine, 11.75 gal/ 44.5 L fuel capacity, Electronic Power Steering, Black-Out Drive and IR Capable, 500 lbs. / 680.4 kg Towing Capacity

A member of the 10th Special Forces Group drives a ATV over rough terrain during training.

U.S. Army photo by Martin Greeson/Released

U.S. Air Force personnel on board a 4x4 ATV

U.S. Dod Photo by : TSGT JAMES E. LOTZ, USAF

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