US powersports manufacturer Polaris Industries has won a contract to supply Germany’s Bundeswehr with its muscular MV850 tactical ATV.
Polaris originally designed this MV850 quadbike platform for the US Army and it is also available for NATO allies. Capable of carrying soldiers and equipment through extreme off-road combat conditions, the vehicle has a metal rack system with a 600lb load potential, a 11.75-gallon fuel capacity, blackout lighting with IR light capability and an optional stretcher mount.
Ironically, German forces were the first to dedicate innovative lightweight motorcycle-related technologies for off-road military deployment some 70-odd years ago, employing extremely versatile NSU Kettenkrad (below) battlefield tractors with similar all-terrain capabilities during World War II.
The Kettenkrad was basically a miniature Panzer steered by a motorcycle handlebar, fork and front wheel assembly linked to track-laying gearbox controls. Its immediate advantage, like a quadbike, was that it could be driven by anybody who was familiar with motorcycles, without specialist training.
“Defence forces around the world are seeking vehicles to take advantage of our ability to make modifications to commercial off-the-shelf technology, insert customer requirements and quickly deliver an end product that meets their needs,” said Polaris Defence general manager Rich Haddad. “It is our goal to match the warfighter’s mission requirements with our best-value product.”
