General Dynamics Flyer

The Flyer was designed to fill a need by special operations forces to have a lightweight, mobile platform that could be transported by air and be configured for a variety of missions. It can be internally transported by V-22 Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, CH-47D Chinook, C-130 Hercules, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and C-5 Galaxy, and be externally transported by UH-60L Black Hawk. The vehicle can operate at high speeds at long ranges, off-road and in various weather conditions. It can be configured for many roles including light strike, personnel rescue and recovery, reconnaissance, and communications.

The Flyer has a fuel efficiency of 10.2 km/L (24 mpg) at 64 km/h (40 mph). Weapons can be mounted on a 360 degree ring or five patient litters can be carried.[http://www.gd-ots.com/Brochures/Flyer%20(Unarmored).pdf Flyer brochure] - General Dynamics[http://www.gd-ots.com/flyer.html Flyer] - General Dynamics It also has an armored variant, with the 4-door cab, rear cargo area, and roofline armored to ballistic level B6.[http://www.gd-ots.com/flyer_armored.html Flyer Armored] - General Dynamics

The Flyer 72 is in service in the United States Special Operations Command as the M1288 GMV 1.1. It was selected in 2013 to replace SOCOM's fleet of 1,072 Humvee-based Ground Mobility Vehicles. 1,300 are planned to be in service by September 2020.[http://www.dodbuzz.com/2013/08/22/general-dynamics-wins-562-million-socom-truck-deal/ General Dynamics Wins $562 Million SOCOM Truck Deal] - DoDBuzz.com, 22 August 2013

The United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) received a Flyer 72 in 2014 for testing under Project Westerly, a program to evaluate vehicles for the potential replacement of their Supacat HMT400 Surveillance and Reconnaissance Vehicle/Offensive Action Vehicles that entered service in 2003.{{cite journal|title=UKSF to evaluate General Dynamics' Flyer-72|journal=Jane's International Defense Review|date=1 October 2014|volume=47|issue= 10}}

General Dynamics offered modified Flyer vehicles to the U.S. Army for their 'Ultra Light Combat Vehicle' (ULCV), since renamed the Army Ground Mobility Vehicle (AGMV), and Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (LRV) programs.{{cite news|title=SOCOM Poised to Receive New Ultra-Light-Duty Truck|url=http://defensetech.org/2014/10/15/socom-poised-to-receive-new-ultra-light-duty-truck/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017063300/http://defensetech.org/2014/10/15/socom-poised-to-receive-new-ultra-light-duty-truck/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=17 October 2014|access-date=9 November 2015|publisher=Defensetech.org|date=15 October 2014}} The Special Forces Flyer 72 version had SOF-specific items removed and more seats added to meet ULCV requirements for a weight of {{convert|4,500|lb|kg|abbr=on}} and a {{convert|3,200|lb|kg|abbr=on}} payload, equal to nine soldiers and their gear. For the LRV, the Flyer 72 could have armor added, carry six troops, and mount an M230 chain gun.[http://www.military1.com/ausa/article/539444-5-new-light-vehicles-revealed-at-ausa 5 new light vehicles revealed at AUSA] - Military1.com, 31 October 2014

In May 2018, the Army awarded GD-OTS the contract for production of Army Ground Mobility Vehicles.{{cite press release |title=General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Awarded Contract for U.S. Army's Ground Mobility Vehicle Program |url=https://www.gd.com/Articles/2018/06/27/general-dynamics-ordnance-and-tactical-systems-awarded-contract-us-army |website=General Dynamics |access-date=27 April 2020 |date=27 June 2018}}

A consortium of Oshkosh Defense and Flyer Defense LLC submitted the Flyer 72 for the U.S. Army's Infantry Squad Vehicle competition. This contract was won by a consortium of GM Defense and Ricardo plc, which submitted a vehicle based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2.{{cite web|url=https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2020/jun/0627-gm-defense.html|title=GM Defense Awarded a $214.3M Contract to Produce the U.S. Army's Infantry Squad Vehicle|publisher=General Motors|date=27 June 2020|accessdate=30 June 2020}}

On 21 October 2013, General Dynamics was awarded a SOCOM contract for non-developmental V-22 Internally Transportable Vehicles (ITV). The three-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract is for up to 10 vehicles, with integration and logistical support and training. The total value of the contract is $5.8 million if all options are exercised.{{cite news|title=General Dynamics to Deliver V-22 Internally Transported|url=http://www.gd-ots.com/news_release/2013/GD-OTS%20Flyer%20ITV%20Award-10-21-13.pdf|access-date=9 November 2015|publisher=General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems|date=21 October 2013}} The basic difference between the {{nobr|Flyer 72}} and {{nobr|Flyer 60}} is width – at {{convert|72|in|m|2|abbr=on}} vs. {{convert|60|in|m|2|abbr=on}} respectively. They share the same engine, suspension, transmission, and electrical systems. The {{nobr|Flyer 60}} seats only four, with a length of {{convert|180|in|m|2|abbr=on}}, a height of {{convert|60|in|m|2|abbr=on}}, curb weight of {{convert|4,500|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, and payload of {{convert|3,500|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}.{{cite news|title=Flyer 60 Technical Specifications|url=http://www.gd-ots.com/download/Flyer60.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517072224/https://www.gd-ots.com/download/Flyer60.pdf|archive-date=2017-05-17|access-date=9 November 2015|publisher=General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS|date=3 December 2014}}

• {{flag|GBR}} - UKSF: 1 on test
• {{flag|GRE}} - Hellenic Army: Flyer I, 4+ for 1st Raider–Paratrooper Brigade, 1st Infantry Division{{cite web |title=Η Ζ' ΜΑΚ ενισχύεται & με 4 Οχήματα Ειδικών Αποστολών & Επιχειρήσεων |url=https://veteranos.gr/z-mak-enischyete-4-ochimata-idikon-apostolon-epichiriseon/ |website=veteranos.gr |date=14 May 2021 |language=Greek}}
• {{flag|ITA}} - Italian Army: Flyer III, 9 + 18 on option for 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment "Col Moschin" (SF) http://www.difesa.it/Amministrazionetrasparente/segredifesa/terrarm/Documents/DAC_2015/DAC_TER15_023.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} On January 30, 2024, more Flyer 72s are planned to be purchased in a €229.6 million (US$248.4 million) programme approved by the Italian Parliament.{{cite web |last=Kemp |first=Damian |date=January 30, 2024 |title=Italy to buy more Flyer vehicles and air defence systems |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/italy-looks-to-buy-more-flyer-vehicles/ |url-status=live |website=Shephard Media}}
• {{flag|USA}} - SOCOM: 1,300 planned
• {{ARE}} UAE operating GD-OTS Flyer vehicles {{Cite web |title=UAE operating GD-OTS Flyer vehicles |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uae-operating-gd-ots-flyer-vehicles |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=Janes.com |date=8 March 2022 |language=en}}
• {{flag|ISR}} - Israel Defense Forces (IDF): Dozens of Flyer 72 vehicles, named "Beeri," were acquired in late 2023 during "Operation Swords of Iron" to replace damaged armored vehicles after the October 7 attacks.[https://www.kipa.co.il/%D7%97%D7%93%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA/1174779-0/ תכירו את "בארי": הג'יפ החדש של צה"ל שיכול לעשות הכל]

• {{lwc|Light Strike Vehicle (Singapore)|Light Strike Vehicle (Spider/Flyer)}}
• {{lwc|P6 ATAV}}
• {{lwc|VLEGA Gaucho}}
• {{lwc|Chivunk}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOmm5WoGaQA AUSA 2014 IHS Jane's speaks to General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems about their Flyer vehicle - YouTube video]

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• [https://www.gd-ots.com/lightweight-tactical-vehicles/ Manufacturer's page]

{{Post-WWII US Soft Vehicles}}

Category:Military trucks of the United States

Category:Special operations commands of the United States Armed Forces

Category:General Dynamics land vehicles

Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 2010s

Category:Post–Cold War armored fighting vehicles of the United States

Category:Vehicles designed for aircraft carriage