Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Returning war vets at higher risk for vehicle crashes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/returning-war-vets-at-higher-risk-for-vehicle-crashes/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/returning-war-vets-at-higher-risk-for-vehicle-crashes/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/returning-war-vets-at-higher-risk-for-vehicle-crashes/#commentsFiled under: ,



David Brown of The Washington Post has published a piece on a little-known risk to returning veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars: motor vehicle crashes. According to the report, which sources both professional research and observations of service members, vets and their counselors, 75 percent of returning vets have a higher rate of fatal car crashes than the civilian population. Likewise, active duty troops are involved in more accidents after their deployments than before, and the likelihood of an accident goes up with each successive tour of duty. In fact, motor vehicle fatalities will soon rank right up there with suicide and interpersonal violence as a leading cause of non-combat deaths.

The reasons why our nation's service members are at such high risk for motor vehicle crashes include, of course, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a contributing factor, as well as drunken driving and seeking out thrills to replace the rush of actual combat in civilian life. The latter is likely why fatal motorcycle crashes in particular spike during wartime.

The final reason mentioned by Brown in his piece, however, is one we hadn't considered, which is that returning service members haven't unlearned the aggressive driving behaviors that kept them alive in a war zone. Racing through intersections, straddling lanes, swerving on bridges and even not wearing seat belts because they hinder a quick escape are all cited in the report as behavior learned in combat that becomes very dangerous when it happens on the home front.

According to Brown, this problem is only beginning to get attention from the military, and research is still hard to come by as recruiting willing test subjects is not easy. The data, however, that points to motor vehicle crashes as a rapidly growing risk for our active and retired service members is conclusive. Click here to read Brown's full report.

Returning war vets at higher risk for vehicle crashes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 May 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>active troopsdavid brownmilitarymotor vehicle crashesriskservice membersTue, 07 May 2013 08:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20559077/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/07/returning-war-vets-at-higher-risk-for-vehicle-crashes/20559077/article-detail.xml 20559077 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/156051319-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/156051319-opt.jpg <![CDATA[New rules make it easier for veterans to earn CDL after leaving service]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/11/new-rules-make-it-easier-for-veterans-to-earn-cdl-after-leaving/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/11/new-rules-make-it-easier-for-veterans-to-earn-cdl-after-leaving/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/11/new-rules-make-it-easier-for-veterans-to-earn-cdl-after-leaving/#commentsFiled under: , ,

US Army M1078

In an attempt to make it easier for active and reserve members of all US military branches to get a commercial driver's license (CDL), the Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012 was passed by Congress in September and signed by the president last month.

The old process made servicemen wait a year to gain residency where they're stationed before they could apply for a CDL. Now, rather than having to go back to their home states to complete the process, the new law lets them get a CDL faster and easier wherever they happen to be stationed. This is in addition to the Military CDL Skills Test Waiver, which substitutes two years of safe operation of "military equivalents of commercial vehicles" for the CDL skills test.

New rules make it easier for veterans to earn CDL after leaving service originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cdlcommercial drivers licensemilitarymilitary cdl actmilitary commercial drivers license act of 2012us militarySun, 11 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20376380/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/11/new-rules-make-it-easier-for-veterans-to-earn-cdl-after-leaving/20376380/article-detail.xml 20376380 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/m1078alexnunez_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/m1078alexnunez.jpg <![CDATA[GM expands military discount]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/11/gm-expands-military-discount/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/11/gm-expands-military-discount/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/11/gm-expands-military-discount/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

General Motors military discount program

Today is Veteran's Day, and General Motors is marking this year's holiday with an expansion of its Military Discount Program. Formerly available to active duty and retired service members, reservists and spouses, but as of now any veteran can take advantage of the program up to a year after his or her discharge. The military discount can be applied to most Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles on top of other incentives. The press release below has all the details.

Continue reading GM expands military discount

GM expands military discount originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Nov 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorsgmmilitarymilitary discountsveteransveterans daySun, 11 Nov 2012 11:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20375825/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/11/gm-expands-military-discount/20375825/article-detail.xml 20375825 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/gmveterandiscount_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/gmveterandiscount.jpg <![CDATA[Need an armored transport? Have we got an auction for you]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/28/need-an-armored-transport-have-we-got-an-auction-for-you/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/28/need-an-armored-transport-have-we-got-an-auction-for-you/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/28/need-an-armored-transport-have-we-got-an-auction-for-you/#commentsFiled under: ,

White Meat Chopper

The Dean V. Kruse Foundation is hard at work scrounging up cash to pay off some serious debt, and that work has led the organization to auction off more than half of the vehicles contained in the National Military History Center collection. If you're looking for World War II-era armor, consider this your one-stop shop. Want a 1941 Krupp Flak gun? No problem. How about a 1944 Steyr full-track? This Auctions America sale has you covered. The listing even includes rarities like a 1943-44 Dragon Wagon Tank recovery vehicle.

That particular machine was built to pull heavy hardware out of sticky situations. A pair of 60,000-pound winches were made to yank stricken armor onto the trailer, allowing the 48,890-pound crawler to trundle to safety at a top speed of 28 mph. Later, this same design was used to pull Saturn V rockets around for NASA.

All told, the auction will offer the largest selection of full and half-track military vehicles for sale at the same time. Head over to the Auctions America site for a closer look.

Need an armored transport? Have we got an auction for you originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Oct 2012 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionauctionsauctions americamilitarymilitary vehiclesnational military history centerrmrm auctionsworld war IISun, 28 Oct 2012 16:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20361827/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/28/need-an-armored-transport-have-we-got-an-auction-for-you/20361827/article-detail.xml 20361827 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/white-meat-chopper-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/white-meat-chopper-628.jpg <![CDATA[AM General to offer civilian Humvee kit car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/02/am-general-to-offer-civilian-humvee-kit-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/02/am-general-to-offer-civilian-humvee-kit-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/02/am-general-to-offer-civilian-humvee-kit-car/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

AM General Humvee in camo paint and on boulders

For anyone feeling nostalgic about the passing of the Hummer brand, or the actual wartime vehicle that inspired it, now is your chance to own a version of the original HMMWV, albeit without an engine.

After a 12-year hiatus from the civilian vehicle market, AM General is reportedly set to offer a kit-car of the C-Series Humvee. The kit will conform to U.S. government regulations and has been made possible by a deal with General Motors.

The kit costs $59,000 - and you still need an engine. A likely favorite would be a Duramax Diesel V8 and Allison transmission combination, as was found on the H1 Alpha. AM General estimates that an owner could buy the kit Humvee and outfit a powerplant and transmission for $75,000. Not bad, considering that H1 Alpha has an MSRP of $140,000 in 2005.

How is this possible? If you recall, GM was trying to unload the Hummer brand to Chinese-based Sichuan-Tengzhong, among other suitors. As we all know, a deal never happened and the brand rumbled off into the sunset. The deal with AM General worked so that the military Humvee producer could offer a vehicle to the public as long as it was fundamentally different from the H1. By offering a kit car, they apparently end-around much of the legal confines.

But that also means are other setbacks. The final product will not look like the civilian Hummer H1, and it will not have niceties like interior trim, power locks, door mounted mirrors, or even hard doors. It will simply be a four-seat, soft-top, soft door vehicle. AM General will offer 'add-on' factory options such as the Central Tire Inflation System, rocker protection, and potentially two-piece beadlock wheels.

As the story over at Hummer Guy puts it, "just remember - its a Humvee, not a Hummer."

AM General to offer civilian Humvee kit car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>am generalduramaxhmmwvhummerhummer h1humveekit carmilitaryThu, 02 Aug 2012 18:51:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20291916/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/02/am-general-to-offer-civilian-humvee-kit-car/20291916/article-detail.xml 20291916 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/am-general-humvee-camo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/am-general-humvee-camo.jpg <![CDATA[Feds vote to continue military advertising in NASCAR]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/22/feds-vote-to-continue-military-advertising-in-nascar/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/22/feds-vote-to-continue-military-advertising-in-nascar/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/22/feds-vote-to-continue-military-advertising-in-nascar/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dale Earnhardt Jr. National Guard

Shortly after the Army National Guard halted sponsorship of Stewart-Haas Racing, which fields teams for Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to allow the military to continue using funds to advertise in sports, including NASCAR.

Reps. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., and Betty McCollum, D-Minn., sought to cut over $72 million from the defense budget in 2013, which would have ended sponsorship deals the military holds with NASCAR, IndyCar and National Hot Rod Association drag racing. The cuts would also have affected Ultimate Fighting Championship and bass fishing sponsorships.

Perhaps it's not surprising that major opposition to the plan came from representatives of North Carolina, Florida and Mississippi, hotbeds of NASCAR activity. In addition, a joint letter opposing the move was submitted by NASCAR, the IZOD IndyCar series, Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association.

Ultimately, it appears that military advertisements at sporting events won't be going away in the foreseeable future.

Feds vote to continue military advertising in NASCAR originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dale Earnhardt Jr.defense budgetindycarmilitarymilitary spendingmilitary sponsorshipnascarnational guardnhraSun, 22 Jul 2012 14:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20281884/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/22/feds-vote-to-continue-military-advertising-in-nascar/20281884/article-detail.xml 20281884 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/dale-earnhardt-jr-national-guard_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/dale-earnhardt-jr-national-guard.jpg <![CDATA[1959 Vespa ACMA is the ultimate road-rage vehicle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/1959-vespa-acma-is-the-ultimate-road-rage-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/1959-vespa-acma-is-the-ultimate-road-rage-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/1959-vespa-acma-is-the-ultimate-road-rage-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Vespa Acma

If you've never laid eyes on a Vespa ACMA, allow us to introduce you. Manufactured for use in World War II, the scooter came equipped with a small cannon designed to launch rocket-propelled grenades.

Soldiers found an advantageous firing position, deployed stabilizers, plucked a grenade from a stylish wicker basket and fired upon the enemy, which, we should point out, was probably rolling happily along in a tank. Vespa ACMA, thy name is David. For obvious reasons, ACMA examples are plenty scarce. You can still find them, though, and if you want one to call your very own, we have good news for you.

The ACMA-obsessed crew over at Hemmings found an original example stored at a Messina military camp for the past 30 years. While the cannon has been deactivated, the rest of the Acma is in original and complete condition right down to the khaki green paint. If you like what you see, you'd better get your check book ready. This particular version is up for auction with an estimated final bid of $16,000 to $20,000. Head over to the COYS auction site for more information.

1959 Vespa ACMA is the ultimate road-rage vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acmacannongrenademilitaryvespa acmavespa cannonvespa rocket propelled grenadeWed, 09 May 2012 08:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20232724/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/1959-vespa-acma-is-the-ultimate-road-rage-vehicle/20232724/article-detail.xml 20232724 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/vespa-acma-628-1336410535_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/vespa-acma-628-1336410535.jpg <![CDATA[Army trying to figure out what to do with 20,000 mine-resistant trucks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/army-trying-to-figure-out-what-to-do-with-20-000-mine-resistant/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/army-trying-to-figure-out-what-to-do-with-20-000-mine-resistant/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/army-trying-to-figure-out-what-to-do-with-20-000-mine-resistant/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected)

The venerable HMMWV served the United States military as the go-to vehicle for 25 solid years. Before that, various militarized Jeep models had been pressed into service since 1941, when the army first identified the need for a lightweight, all-terrain vehicle capable of carrying a few troops and all their gear into battle.

It seems the so-called Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAPS for short) aren't going to have the same kind of life expectancy as their predecessors. According to CNN, the military is finding it difficult to cook up uses for the 20,000 MRAPS it possesses that are no longer needed for the war in Iraq, where the threat of improvised explosive devises necessitated gigantic V-shaped hulls and several tons of armor.

Due to the sheer size and weight of the machines, along with the specialized nature of their design, the military isn't likely to continue using MRAPS in differing battlefield conditions after troops are pulled from Afghanistan in 2014. So, what will become of these 20,000 MRAPS? So far, the only option on the list is for mine clearing and explosive ordinance disposal. Thing is, they don't need 20,000 of them for that.

In any case, one thing is for certain: Lives were saved due to the ability of the MRAPS to protect U.S. troops from roadside explosives (see above). And for that, everyone is thankful. As far as the future goes... may we suggest heavily armored food trucks? Or perhaps the SEMA Show circuit?

Army trying to figure out what to do with 20,000 mine-resistant trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afghanistanarmored vehiclearmyiraqmilitarymine resistant ambush protected vehiclemrapus armyus militaryWed, 02 May 2012 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20229297/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/02/army-trying-to-figure-out-what-to-do-with-20-000-mine-resistant/20229297/article-detail.xml 20229297 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/mrap-exploded_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/mrap-exploded.jpg <![CDATA[Returning U.S. soldiers have trouble with road rules at home]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/returning-u-s-soldiers-have-trouble-with-road-rules-at-home/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/returning-u-s-soldiers-have-trouble-with-road-rules-at-home/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/returning-u-s-soldiers-have-trouble-with-road-rules-at-home/#commentsFiled under: ,

USAA chart

Life can be tough for U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Post traumatic stress disorder must make everyday tasks hell to deal with.

Not the least of which is re-adjusting to American road rules. In Iraq, the goal of the morning commute is to reach the destination alive. The more speed the better, and anything not moving out of the way quickly enough gets plowed into the pavement.

Many returning military personnel find it difficult to forget the lessons they've learned on hostile foreign roads. Over there, smart drivers follow the center line to avoid IEDs on the shoulders. Turn signals only give the enemy advance notice of your next move, and stopping at intersections makes you an easy target. When back in the states, those tactics are still effective for negotiating traffic, but aren't appreciated so much by fellow drivers.

A new study by insurer USAA (which serves members of the military and their families) shows that on average, returning troops had 13 percent more at-fault accidents than before they left. U.S. Army personnel showed the largest change at 23 percent, with Marines showing 12.3 percent increase.

Fortunately, USAA says it has no plans to raise rates in response to the study's results. It's also sharing the data with researchers and traffic safety experts in hopes of finding a solution.

Continue reading Returning U.S. soldiers have trouble with road rules at home

Returning U.S. soldiers have trouble with road rules at home originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aggressive drivingdrivinginsurancemilitarymilitary driving accidentsPTSDUSAASun, 29 Apr 2012 12:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20225746/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/29/returning-u-s-soldiers-have-trouble-with-road-rules-at-home/20225746/article-detail.xml 20225746 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/usaa-study-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/usaa-study-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Watch a vintage Lamborghini Cheetah SUV promo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/28/watch-a-vintage-lamborghini-cheetah-suv-promo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/28/watch-a-vintage-lamborghini-cheetah-suv-promo/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/28/watch-a-vintage-lamborghini-cheetah-suv-promo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Lamborghini Cheetah

Lamborghini was in the off-road business before the cult classic LM002, cooperating with MTI on a military vehicle concept dubbed Cheetah in the mid-seventies that it hoped to sell to the U.S. armed forces. The 4,500-pound, fiberglass-bodied troop carrier used a 5.9-liter, 180-horsepower Chrysler engine mounted in back. Hardly Cheetah-like, the vehicle delivered lackluster performance and didn't handle well.

Even worse, it was a badly translated copy of a vehicle already made by another firm, which landed MTI and Lamborghini in court when the Cheetah was revealed at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show. The U.S. military tested the sole prototype and totaled it.

Perhaps this is the worst part: the Cheetah was such an expensive failure for Lamborghini that it was one of the reasons the company was unable to follow through on its commitment to BMW for the M1 project.

And with that history lesson digested, you'll get even more wry satisfaction from the narrator's dialogue in the Cheetah promo video, which you'll find just below.

Continue reading Watch a vintage Lamborghini Cheetah SUV promo

Watch a vintage Lamborghini Cheetah SUV promo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheetahlamborghinilamborghini cheetahmilitaryvideovideosvimeoSat, 28 Apr 2012 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20226399/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/28/watch-a-vintage-lamborghini-cheetah-suv-promo/20226399/article-detail.xml 20226399 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lamborghinicheetahconcvi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/lamborghinicheetahconcvi.jpg <![CDATA[Sand Flea robot goes where your R/C car can't]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/sand-flea-robot-goes-where-your-r-c-car-cant/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/sand-flea-robot-goes-where-your-r-c-car-cant/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/sand-flea-robot-goes-where-your-r-c-car-cant/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sand Flea Robot

Your nitro-fueled R/C racer may look all badass and be really fast, but it's got its limitations. Namely, walls. The Sand Flea robot shown above, developed by Boston Dynamics, won't win any races or beauty contests, but it laughs at walls. More precisely, it just leaps over them.

The little bot, which scoots around like a regular all-terrain R/C car, is equipped with a CO2-powered piston that gives it the ability to leap 30 feet in the air. When presented with a challenge, the Sand Flea stops, tilts, and launches up and over the obstacle in front of it. The video showing it in action, posted after the jump, is simultaneously astonishing and hilarious (especially when you mentally add this sound effect to each leap). On a full charge, the Flea can make 25 jumps. A gyroscope keeps it stabilized while airborne, and its wheels act as the cushion upon landing.

Funding for the project comes from DARPA, the Joint IED Defeat Organization, and the Army's Rapid Equipping Force, and it's meant to bolster the military's ever-expanding arsenal of reconnaissance tools. As such, PopSci reports that the Sand Flea is headed to the Army Test and Evaluation Command for safety certification, after which several examples will head to Afghanistan for some real field testing.

Continue reading Sand Flea robot goes where your R/C car can't

Sand Flea robot goes where your R/C car can't originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boston dynamicsdarpajumpingleapingmilitaryrobotsand fleaTue, 03 Apr 2012 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20205959/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/03/sand-flea-robot-goes-where-your-r-c-car-cant/20205959/article-detail.xml 20205959 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sandfleabot_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/sandfleabot.jpg <![CDATA[Chinese military truck shows off its all-terrain chops]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/10/chinese-military-truck-shows-off-its-all-terrain-chops/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/10/chinese-military-truck-shows-off-its-all-terrain-chops/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/10/chinese-military-truck-shows-off-its-all-terrain-chops/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Xiaolong XLW2090

The Chinese automotive industry is an emerging force. Never mind all the foreign automakers setting up joint ventures in the world's most populous country, or the recognized European marques being gobbled up by Chinese conglomerates. The Chinese domestic brands are also capable of making serious vehicles with serious capabilities. Like this off-road military truck, for example.

Built by Wuhan-based Xiaolong Automotive, the XLW2090 is one of a dozen or so configurations the company builds on an adaptable chassis. The three-axle off-road truck packs a 4.5-liter Cummins four-cylinder diesel engine, over 17 inches of ground clearance, a 55.5-degree approach angle and a claimed 7,700-pound payload. That's all well and fine, but what really impresses us is what it can do when the road gets more than a little bumpy. Follow the jump to watch the brief video clip.

Continue reading Chinese military truck shows off its all-terrain chops

Chinese military truck shows off its all-terrain chops originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachinesemilitaryobstacle courseoff-roadwuhan xiaolongwuhan xiaolong xlw2090xiaolongxiaolong xlw2090xlw2090Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20124738/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/10/chinese-military-truck-shows-off-its-all-terrain-chops/20124738/article-detail.xml 20124738 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/xiaolong-vidcap_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/xiaolong-vidcap.jpg <![CDATA[Pentagon report says U.S. pays $400/gal for gas in Afghanistan [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/06/pentagon-report-says-u-s-pays-400-gal-for-gas-in-afghanistan/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/06/pentagon-report-says-u-s-pays-400-gal-for-gas-in-afghanistan/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/06/pentagon-report-says-u-s-pays-400-gal-for-gas-in-afghanistan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

fuel airdrop in afghanistan

Fed up with the price of gas? We feel your pain. Depending on what state you live in, gas is likely to be found for somewhere between three and four dollars per gallon - and make no mistake, that figure is enough to amount to a sizable chunk of the average American's monthly paycheck.

A new Pentagon report obtained by The Wall Street Journal suggests that American motorists should consider themselves lucky to have such affordable fuel: U.S. military operations stationed in Afghanistan are paying a lot more than that... up to $400 per gallon of fuel delivered to troops on the ground - 100 times what we are asked to shell out. Yikes.

The astronomical cost of fuel is due in part to how it must be delivered: by parachute. Huge military cargo planes operated by the Air Force fly to a remote drop zone and send dozens of pallets to the ground, containing items like food, water and, of course, fuel.

There's more bad news. Due to the dangers of setting up ground-based supply convoys, the military fully expects that air-drops will be increasingly necessary in the coming months and years. And that means our military's fuel bill is only going to get more and more expensive.

Check out a couple of video reports explaining the issue after the break.

Continue reading Pentagon report says U.S. pays $400/gal for gas in Afghanistan [w/video]

Pentagon report says U.S. pays $400/gal for gas in Afghanistan [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afghanistanafghanistan fuelafghanistan suppliesair dropairdropcost of fuelfuel costgas pricesmilitarymilitary fuel costmilitary suppliesTue, 06 Dec 2011 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20121908/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/06/pentagon-report-says-u-s-pays-400-gal-for-gas-in-afghanistan/20121908/article-detail.xml 20121908 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/military-airdrop_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/military-airdrop.jpg <![CDATA[Proof the National Guard will do anything to save you in a flood]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/30/proof-the-national-guard-will-do-anything-to-save-you-in-a-flood/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/30/proof-the-national-guard-will-do-anything-to-save-you-in-a-flood/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/30/proof-the-national-guard-will-do-anything-to-save-you-in-a-flood/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The National Guard in a New Jersey flood

The Army National Guard serves an important role in disaster relief. When called upon, members of the service leave their families at a moment's notice, pack up and head into the thick of the worst that mother nature has to offer. In the case of the recent flooding in New York, New Jersey and Vermont, that means going above, beyond, and sometimes below the call of duty, er, waterline. From the looks of things, the soldiers in the video after the jump are in the process of rescuing residents - or at least attempting to rescue residents - in Manville, NJ who failed to heed flood evacuation warnings.

Though we aren't huge military vehicle buffs, we'd say it looks like two Deuces braving severely flooded New Jersey streets. Big points to the videographer who simply stands by and insults the service members out to help him instead of actually warning the soldiers that the waters get deeper farther down the road. Class act.

Hit the jump to check out the video for yourself.

Continue reading Proof the National Guard will do anything to save you in a flood

Proof the National Guard will do anything to save you in a flood originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deucedeuce and a halffloodfloodinghurricane irenehurricane irene floodmilitarynational guardnew jersey floodTue, 30 Aug 2011 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20030482/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/08/30/proof-the-national-guard-will-do-anything-to-save-you-in-a-flood/20030482/article-detail.xml 20030482 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/new-jersey-flooding-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/08/new-jersey-flooding-630.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Pagani Zonda Tricolore pays homage to Italian "Blue Angels"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/12/video-pagani-zonda-tricolore-pays-homage-to-italian-blue-angel/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/12/video-pagani-zonda-tricolore-pays-homage-to-italian-blue-angel/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/12/video-pagani-zonda-tricolore-pays-homage-to-italian-blue-angel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pagani Zonda Frecce Tricolore
Pagani Zonda Frecce Tricolore - Click above to watch video after the jump

Italy's equivalent of America's Blue Angels is called the Frecce Tricolori, or Tricolor Arrows. Otherwise known by its official name, the 313th Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico, the aerobatic team celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The squad recently brought the smoke and cartwheels with its fleet of Aeromacchi MB-339 jets, while Pagani added a little extra razzle-dazzle by taking its special edition Tricolore Zonda to the Rivolti Air Force base for some fun-and-gun. As usual, there's beauty everywhere. Follow the jump for the vid.


Gallery: Geneva 2010: Pagani Zonda Tricolore


[Source Pagani]

Continue reading Video: Pagani Zonda Tricolore pays homage to Italian "Blue Angels"

Video: Pagani Zonda Tricolore pays homage to Italian "Blue Angels" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Sep 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Frecce TricoloriFrecceTricoloriitalymilitarypaganipagani zondaPagani Zonda TricolorePaganiZondaPaganiZondaTricoloretricolorezondazonda tricoloreZondaTricoloreSun, 12 Sep 2010 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19630067/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/12/video-pagani-zonda-tricolore-pays-homage-to-italian-blue-angel/19630067/article-detail.xml 19630067 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/paganifreccetricolore_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/paganifreccetricolore.jpg <![CDATA[Next Defender expected in 2014 but Land Rover suffering from lack of focus?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/02/next-defender-expected-in-2014-but-land-rover-suffering-from-lac/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/02/next-defender-expected-in-2014-but-land-rover-suffering-from-lac/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/02/next-defender-expected-in-2014-but-land-rover-suffering-from-lac/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Land Rover Fire and Ice edition Defender SUVs
Land Rover Fire and Ice Defenders - Click above for high-res image gallery

Land Rover seems to be having some trouble figuring out how to go about putting its plan for the successor to the Defender throne into motion. According to Autocar, the company knows what attributes the vehicle should have, but doesn't know how to go about engineering the platform using existing components from the company's parts bin. Word from the web had previously said that Land Rover had planned to use the company's T5 steel platform for Project Icon (the internal name for the next Defender), though according to the report, the company now thinks that the chassis would be too heavy to be a viable option.

So what will the next-generation Defender look like? If anyone at Land Rover knows for sure, they certainly aren't telling the scribes at Autocar. According to the article, all we know for sure is that the vehicle will still wear the Defender name. Otherwise, there's just a few shady hints that the company's fancy Electric Rear Drive Axle Drive technology may show up both on civilian and military models.

Speaking of the Defender's military service, the Autocar report says that Land Rover is interested in winding down that area of its business, reducing the number of Defender body variations at the same time. With Tata having given the okay (and the funds) to proceed with the 2014 project, here's hoping Land Rover works its way through this mess in a hurry.


Gallery: Land Rover Defender Fire & Ice editions


[Source: Autocar]

Next Defender expected in 2014 but Land Rover suffering from lack of focus? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DefenderLand RoverLand Rover DefenderLand Rover Project IconLandRoverLandRoverDefenderLandRoverProjectIconMilitaryProject IconProjectIconThu, 02 Sep 2010 16:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19618821/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/02/next-defender-expected-in-2014-but-land-rover-suffering-from-lac/19618821/article-detail.xml 19618821 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/defender-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/defender-630.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept ready to blitz the front]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/06/mercedes-benz-g-wagon-lapv-6-x-concept-ready-to-blitz-the-front/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/06/mercedes-benz-g-wagon-lapv-6-x-concept-ready-to-blitz-the-front/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/06/mercedes-benz-g-wagon-lapv-6-x-concept-ready-to-blitz-the-front/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Planning on invading something? Ze Germans have a bit of experience to impart, and it comes in its latest form as the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept. Unveiled at the Eurosatory defense exposition in France - so named, in case you were wondering, for Camp Satory where the French defense ministry used to hold the event - the up-armored G-Class is like the existing LAPV 5.4, but more... well, capable.

The go-anywhere, conquer-anything truck can carry 2,866 pounds of cargo over just about any terrain you can throw at it, reinforced by armor plating - including underbody protection from land mines (or perhaps more poignantly, roadside IEDs). It's got an on-the-fly adjustable suspension with nearly 18 inches of ground clearance, full combat communications and jamming system, hydraulic ventilated disc brakes and an unspecified common-rail diesel engine. And best of all, it's got orange wheels, but we'd imagine those would be a delete option for more covert operations. Check it out in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.


Gallery: Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept


[Source: Mercedes-Benz via World Car Fans]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept ready to blitz the front

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X Concept ready to blitz the front originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eurosatoryg-classg-wageng-wagongelandewagenGeländewagenLAPVlight armored patrol vehiclelight armoured patrol vehicleLightArmoredPatrolVehicleLightArmouredPatrolVehicleMercedes g-classMercedes g-wagenMercedes g-wagonmercedes gelandewagenMercedes-Benz g-classMercedes-Benz g-wagenMercedes-Benz g-wagonMercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPVMercedes-Benz G-Wagon LAPV 6.X ConceptMercedes-benzG-classMercedes-benzG-wagenMercedes-benzG-wagonMercedes-benzG-wagonLapvMercedes-benzG-wagonLapv6.xConceptMercedesG-classMercedesG-wagenMercedesG-wagonMercedesGelandewagenmilitaryTue, 06 Jul 2010 14:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19542081/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/06/mercedes-benz-g-wagon-lapv-6-x-concept-ready-to-blitz-the-front/19542081/article-detail.xml 19542081 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lapv-web630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lapv-web630.jpg <![CDATA[Goodyear rolling out multicolor NASCAR tires to support our troops]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/goodyear-rolling-out-multicolor-nascar-tires-to-support-our-troo/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/goodyear-rolling-out-multicolor-nascar-tires-to-support-our-troo/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/goodyear-rolling-out-multicolor-nascar-tires-to-support-our-troo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Goodyear Support Our Troop NASCAR tires - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's the Fourth of July weekend, kids. Emergency rooms all across the country are preparing for a myriad of alcohol, barbecue and fireworks related injuries, and coolers everywhere are stocked with the least expensive alcoholic beverages possible. Goodyear is jumping into the celebration by changing the sidewall design of its tires used in all three NASCAR series just for this weekend. A special message of support for our country's troops will join the standard Goodyear winged-foot logo. In addition to the red-white and blue slogan, the tire manufacturer will also donate $20,000 to a leading military support program.

The company also plans to auction off a set of the unique tires, complete with driver logos after the Coke Zero 400 this Saturday. The cash from the sale will be donated to Support Our Troops - a non-profit that focuses on raising morale of American soldiers and their families all around the world.

If you want one of the special tires, head over to Goodyear's website as soon as the race gets started on July 3. Bidding will begin when the green flag drops and will wrap up on July 17.


Gallery: Goodyear Support Our Troops NASCAR Tires


[Source: Goodyear]

Goodyear rolling out multicolor NASCAR tires to support our troops originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armed forcesArmedForcesCoke ZeroCoke Zero 400CokeZeroCokeZero400GoodyearGoodyear Support Our Troops TiresGoodyear TiresGoodyearSupportOurTroopsTiresGoodyearTiresmilitarymilitary supportMilitarySupportNASCARTiresus militaryUsMilitaryFri, 02 Jul 2010 17:39:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19540474/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/07/02/goodyear-rolling-out-multicolor-nascar-tires-to-support-our-troo/19540474/article-detail.xml 19540474 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/03-goodyear-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/03-goodyear-630.jpg <![CDATA[Happy Memorial Day from Autoblog]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/31/happy-memorial-day-from-autoblog/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/31/happy-memorial-day-from-autoblog/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/31/happy-memorial-day-from-autoblog/#commentsFiled under:


Tribute 2010 Chevrolet Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's easy to forget that while we spend day-in and day-out banging on QWERTYs and chasing our tails as automotive rumors get confirmed, then denied, then confirmed again, that there are men and women all over the world working to keep us safe and protect our families and our way of life. It's Memorial Day, so regardless of where you stand in the political spectrum, it's worth taking some time out of your day to say thanks to the service men and women in your life.

We're fortunate enough to live in a country where military service isn't mandatory, and we all owe a debt to the souls that that have volunteered to serve in our nation's armed forces. So take some time between your burgers and beers to pay your respects those that have fallen in the line of duty and honor those that are serving right now.


Gallery: Tribute 2010 Chevrolet Camaro


[Images: Camaro5]

Happy Memorial Day from Autoblog originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 May 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Armed ServicesArmedServicesMemorial DayMemorialDayMiliatarymilitaryServiceveteransvetsMon, 31 May 2010 12:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19497680/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/31/happy-memorial-day-from-autoblog/19497680/article-detail.xml 19497680 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/01-tribute-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/01-tribute-630.jpg <![CDATA[Humvee orders about to end, have you met the MRAP?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/24/humvee-orders-about-to-end-have-you-met-the-mrap/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/24/humvee-orders-about-to-end-have-you-met-the-mrap/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/24/humvee-orders-about-to-end-have-you-met-the-mrap/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

U.S. Army HMMWV
United States Army HMMWV (Humvee) - Click above for high-res image gallery

We never really thought of the HMMWV (aka the Humvee) as a military vehicle with a "flat bottom, low weight, low ground clearance and aluminum body," but to American soldiers using the heavily-armored machines as their main source of transportation, those descriptors apparently apply all too well. In fact, the Humvee is downright dangerous in certain situations, namely when facing a roadside explosion from a remotely-detonated Improvised Explosive Device, or IED, which are the number one killer of soldiers in Iraq.

As such, the military went looking for a vehicle more appropriate for modern warfare, and what it found is called the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP for short. These heavily armored machines are raised high up off the ground and sport a V-shaped hull underneath to help divert blasts away from the passenger compartment.

The result: "Commanders consistently report that MRAPs, with their V-shaped hulls and added armored protection, are saving lives and reducing casualties," reports Major General Thomas Spoehr in testimony he recently submitted to Congress. The Pentagon expects there to be 5,250 MRAPs in use in Afghanistan by September.

So, 2010 marks the end of an era in military Humvee use. The Army will reportedly purchase about 2,600 more Humvees in 2010, which will be added to the current fleet, rounding the total number of units to 150,000. The last new Humvee will be ordered sometime in April. These remaining Humvees will be used primarily in non-combat situations and in parts of the world where IED use isn't an established battle tactic.

Interestingly, though, USA Today reports that Marine Corps Commandant James Conway has said the Marines are investigating ways to retrofit a V-shaped hull to the classic Humvee. Might there still be life left in the old bird?


Gallery: U.S. Army HMMWV (Humvee)


[Source: USA Today]

Humvee orders about to end, have you met the MRAP? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armyhummerhumveeHumveesmarinesmilitarymine resistant ambush protected vehicleMineResistantAmbushProtectedVehiclemrapMRAPSWed, 24 Mar 2010 17:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19412659/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/24/humvee-orders-about-to-end-have-you-met-the-mrap/19412659/article-detail.xml 19412659 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/usarmyhmmwvhi008lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/usarmyhmmwvhi008lead.jpg -1 2