U.S. Army Provides Chariot Personal Transport Vehicles to Metropark Rangers

WARREN, Mich., Jun. 28, 2004 -- The U.S. Army's Tank, Research, Development and Engineering Center's (TARDEC) National Automotive Center (NAC) today will present two American Chariot Personal Transport Vehicles (PTV) to Metropark Rangers at a ceremony held at the Huron-Clinton Park Authority at Kensington Metropark. The PTV is a component of the NAC's Soldier Mobility Program, which tests vehicles in military and commercial scenarios before providing them to Soldiers in the field. Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-Livonia), Dennis J. Wend, executive director of the NAC, Sergeant John Orskey from the Kensington Metropark Rangers, David Joseph from American Chariot and Steve Kolhoff from the NAC will be on hand for a 1:00 p.m. ceremony at the Kensington Metropark Golf Course.

"The National Automotive Center's Soldier Mobility Program allows the Army to get mission-critical vehicles in the hands of users," said Wend. "The feedback we receive from the Metropark Rangers will be vital in driving the requirements for the Next-Generation Hybrid-Electric Chariot."

The PTV provides an innovative transportation solution for military law enforcement and industrial applications as well as for moving military leaders, messengers, supply personnel, or any other mobile soldiers quickly and efficiently. The American Chariot is a three-wheeled, electric PTV that can reach speeds up to 20 mph and has a range of 15 miles. The PTV's payload capacity (up to 350 lbs.), minimum footprint and zero emission electric motors make it ideal for transporting personnel at military bases, industrial complexes and even on ships and other non-traditional, heavy duty applications. The American Chariot PTV also gives emergency response teams the ability to move staff and necessary equipment through crowds with greater ease, offering greater access and response time to the scene of the emergency. The vehicle is also ideal for patrolling events, large crowd gatherings, shipping and staging areas and much more.

The Kensington Metropark Rangers plan to use the PTV for patrolling the bicycle paths, parking lots and picnic areas to increase security at the Metropark.

"We're proud to work with the National Automotive Center to help test the suitability of the PTV for Soldier applications," said Sergeant Orskey. "Kensington Metropark spans 4,357 acres of wooded hilly terrain. The PTV will help make the Metropark Rangers more efficient, visible and accessible."

The feedback provided by the Kensington Metropark Rangers will facilitate the development of the American Chariot's Military Special Hybrid Fuel PTV. This Next-Generation vehicle will offer the speed, endurance, maneuverability and visibility suited to meet the demands of Army Transformation initiatives and today's highly mobile military environments.

The NAC is the Army's official link to working with commercial and academic partners to generate vehicles that will provide the Army with the mobility, survivability and agility it needs to operate efficiently and effectively in today's new threat environment. Headquartered in Warren, MI, the NAC is U.S. Army TARDEC's technology transfer arm and part of the new Research Development Engineering Command based in Aberdeen, MD.