Military auto news

Spanish Fly: Tramontana spotted strafing Swiss airport in full jet fighter regalia

Autoblog reader David Kaiser has sent us some truly stunning images of Spain's most unique supercar, the Tramontana F1, painted in full jet fighter warpaint, attending a St. Moritz Automobile Club event in the Swiss Alps. The gathering took place on July 4 at the Engadin Airport, which at 5,600 feet, claims to be the highest European airfield that is in operation year-round. About 50 cars and 20 airplanes showed up for the show in the ski resort town, and it looks like we missed a great event.

We can't think of a more appropriate setting for the canopy'd and wing-laden Tramontana than an airport, not to mention one as spectacular as the one captured here in Kaiser's photographs. While we've only ever seen the twin-turbo V12-powered Tramontana F1 sitting static at auto shows, it certainly looks like it is capable of a wicked turn of speed.

According to our Zurich-based photographer, the airport's runways were closed for an hour, giving the chance for a gaggle of supercars past and present to take to the tarmac. Those cars included an Aston Martin Zagato, Bentley Continental GTC, along with some tremendous classics including a Jaguar E-Type and a stunningly restored Rolls Royce Hurricane. Naturally, the Tramontana took a turn as well, and our man Kaiser reports that: "The sound of the Tramontana is amazing, [upon its] approach, you don't hear almost anything, then a high scream similar to a jet appears when the car passes." Check out the high-res gallery below and the links below for more info. Thanks, David!

Gallery: Tramontana in fighter plane regalia

VIDEO: Archival footage reveals Preston Tucker's novel military Combat Car

Preston Tucker was nothing if not an innovator. While best known for the failed automaker that bore his name and the 51 iconoclastic Tucker Torpedo sedans his venture managed to push out before shutting its doors for good in 1948, that company was not the entrepreneur's first foray into the transportation sector. Way back in the mid 1930s, Tucker and famed engine builder Harry Miller began designing race cars for the Indianapolis 500 before Miller's death in 1943.

Upon returning back home to Michigan, Preston Tucker commenced designing an armored Combat Car for the U.S. military. Though the design was ultimately rejected, the vehicle featured a number of innovations and eventually led to the successful manufacturing contract to produce Tucker Turrets for the U.S. Navy.

Hit the jump for some awesome archival footage of Tucker's Combat Car in action along with such innovations as same-size swappable bulletproof windows, separately adjustable headlights (not unlike those slated for the Torpedo), a bulletproof and multi-chambered radiator, individually-braked wheels and the ability to traverse rough terrain with a top speed of 115 mph.

Continue reading VIDEO: Archival footage reveals Preston Tucker's novel military Combat Car

AEV to offer Jeep J8 MILSPEC for civilian off-road use in the U.S.

Still bummed Chrysler decided civilians in the U.S. weren't ready for the Jeep J8? Good news, then. American Expedition Vehicles - normally purveyors of American-made aftermarket off-road parts and equipment - has entered into an agreement with Chrysler that will allow AEV to sell fully assembled J8 kits right here in the United States, complete with leaf springs and military-spec tow hooks that are capable of lifting a helicopter. Yes, this machine is exactly as awesome as it sounds.

Each vehicle will be sold without a powertrain, which will allow AEV to bypass all kinds of sticky red tape with the federal government. As such, the J8 MILSPEC will be sold as an off-road vehicle only. Want one for street use? Better get real familiar with the laws governing such things in your particular state. The buyer will have a choice of either a VM 2.8-liter diesel engine rated at 174 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque or a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 from Chrysler rated at 330 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. All that power will be sent through a five-speed automatic transmission on its way to a Dana 44 axle up front and a stout Dana 60 in the rear.

Options? A few, including air conditioning and your choice of either Desert Sand or Military Green paint, but the toughest part will be deciding between the five-door Unlimited body or the truck-like three-door model. AEV only has rights to sell 120 J8 MILSPEC vehicles per year, and they won't come cheap. Expect to dole out about $50K to bring one home. If that sounds like a lot for a vehicle that can't legally be driven on the street, keep in mind that it's probably well below what it would cost to otherwise replicate a machine with these kinds of capabilities. Click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: AEV J8 MILSPEC

Continue reading AEV to offer Jeep J8 MILSPEC for civilian off-road use in the U.S.

Humvee with Boeing Laser Avenger blasts UAVs

Remember those Saturday morning cartoons from when you were a kid, where futuristic soldiers battled with laser guns? Well if you were wondering what ever happened to that future we were promised, it's here. Boeing's Direct Energy Systems project recently concluded a test in the New Mexico desert where the Humvee-mounted Laser Avenger system successfully shot down three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a demonstration for U.S. Army officers.

The Laser Avenger was initially created to dispose of unexploded ordinance (bombs that didn't detonate) lying on the ground, but given the proliferation of UAVs for both surveillance and weapons deployment, Boeing adapted the lasers to shoot the UAVs out of the sky. The benefit over shooting down the drones with guns or missiles - in startling contradiction to the red lines depicted in the old G.I. Joe cartoons - is that the enemy can't see where the laser beam is coming from, thereby keeping the ground troops' position secure. Pretty awesome, unless you're a UAV. Fortunately UAVs are unmanned by definition, so what we're looking at here is lasers shooting down flying robots. You can check out the details in the press release after the jump if you'd like, but we're going to sit right here in our pajamas until the next commercial.

Continue reading Humvee with Boeing Laser Avenger blasts UAVs

President Obama takes inaugural ride in Presidential Limousine

Inauguration Day for President Obama has come and gone, and while our freshly minted Commander in Chief was probably most interested in making his title official, we like to believe the high point of his day was taking the inaugural ride in his new Presidential Limousine. Secrete Service agents have reportedly begun calling Obama's new whip the "Beast" for reasons that are readily apparent. General Motors released images of the new Cadillac-based limo last week, but were of course not permitted to reveal the car's specifications. We're still in the dark on most everything about the new Presidential Limo, but new images from yesterday's inauguration reveal its true scale and capabilities.

First of all, notice the roof height compared to a Secret Service agent walking next to the car. Though it has the basic proportions of a very long-wheelbase sedan, this thing is nearly as tall as a Tahoe. The sidewalls of the tires are enormous, kind of like the front tires on a semi-truck, which suggests a level of puncture resistance far beyond your average run flat. The increased ground clearance and large fender flares also suggest this car can go off-roading when the need arises, like if an ICBM takes out the road ahead. Lastly, this image of an agent holding the car door open for Obama while he enters the vehicle shows the true thickness of its doors. Based on that, we imagine the new Presidential Limo would score 50 stars if crash tested by the NHTSA. Check out more pics below of the Obama family taking their first ride in the Presidential Limousine.

Gallery: President Obama Inauguration Limo Ride

[Photos: Getty Images]

Barrett-Jackson 2009: 1951 Willys Jeep

Before this 1951 Willys Jeep went on the auction block, we thought it was little more than a curiosity among the more prestigious and rare hardware lining the halls at Barrett-Jackson. Apparently, we were wrong. The little ex-military GP vehicle sold for a staggering $104,500 after all was said and done, and it's certainly a fine example of the genre, with its period-specific detailing and high-quality frame-off restoration. Perhaps it sold so well because of the show that the vehicle put on as it was being driven on stage, with its siren startling those in attendance just a few minutes before its propane and oxygen powered "gun" caused a few hearts to skip a beat.

Gallery: Barrett-Jackson 2009: 1951 Willys Jeep

Photos copyright (C)2009 Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs, Inc.

Changfeng, AM General bidding on Hummer

Rejoice GM, somebody wants HUMMER! In fact, AM General, the company that created the original mil-spec HMMWV for American troops back in 1983 is rumored to be in the mix of bidders, joining forces with China's Hunan Changfeng Motor Co. Despite earlier reports, Changfeng has remained interested in the brand since GM first put HUMMER up on the auction block, but had desired a bidding partner. It appears that it found one shortly after touring the automaker's facilities a few months back.

This is an intriguing move, especially since it was AM General that first launched the HUMMER marque in America before selling marketing rights for the brand to General Motors in 1999. Despite the presence of a Chinese partner, rumors indicate that HUMMER would remain an American brand that's marketed predominately towards the United States. It's an interesting footnote, though possibly completely unrelated, that news of HUMMER's impending sale rise and fall in unison with global fuel prices. In any case, this announcement seems to reaffirm GM's stated goal of selling the off-road brand by 2009.

Autoblog visits Wings, Wheels and Rotors

This past weekend we found ourselves attending a couple of automotive events, trying desperately to cling onto the last vestiges of summer. After getting a small taste of the wonderful combination of cars and planes last weekend in Chino, we thought it would be fun to throw some helicopters into the mix. We stopped by the seventh annual Wings, Wheels and Rotors Expo, which again took place at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, California. As the name implies, the show features not only cars, but airplanes, jets and helicopters, as well. The Goodyear blimp even did a few flybys.

The first cars we saw when we got there were a collection of vehicles that had been Overhauled by Chip Foose on his hit TV series. After spending an hour or two checking out the 500 or so hot rods and muscle cars on display we also got to check out a couple dozen military aircraft. While the C-17 was by far the biggest thing around with a tail several stories tall, we spent more time in the shadows of the F-16, AH-1Cobra and Skyraider. As if that weren't enough, there were also dozens of vendors hawking everything from T-shirts to Tiki Totems. Visitors could even take a spin in one of several planes and copters for hire. It's a pretty incredible show not just for its enormous scope, but for the Fourth-of-July-like atmosphere. Thousands of families, all showing their American pride, reveling in supporting our military and savoring our very American pastime of cars.

Gallery: 7th Annual Wings, Wheels and Rotors Expo

Photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs Inc.

Autoblog visits Wings, Wheels and Rotors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

International kills the CXT, MXT and RXT

Another one bites the dust, and this time its International, that's decided to drop its line of non-commercial big rigs. Considering the tough times that automakers have been having moving traditional pickups off dealer lots and into driveways, you can imagine the problems that International must be having with its CXT, MXT and RXT consumer-grade semis. Current fuel prices alone may have been enough to bring the Internationals to a grinding halt, but the faltering economy, which has made luxury toy purchases much harder to justify, may have been the final nail in the XT's coffin. In any case, this isn't a death-blow to International, as the company didn't sell too many of these leviathans anyway, and their demise will allow the company to focus its attention back on the heavy-duty hauler segment that is its bread-and-butter, along with the military segment, which surely is more profitable than the others.

AM General to produce wheelchair-accessible transit vehicle

While General Motors looks over a stack of offers for its HUMMER brand, the fate of AM General hangs in the balance. The military contractor developed and built the original Humvee until the rights to the HUMMER name were bought by GM, who then contracted AM General to continue building the H1 (until it was discontinued) and then the Chevy Tahoe-based H2. (The Chevy Colorado-based H3, meanwhile, is built entirely by GM at its Shreveport, Louisiana plant.) With the future of its General Motors contracts uncertain, AM General has announced a new deal of another kind.

Starting in 2010, the Indiana-based company will begin producing a new series of wheelchair-accessible transit vehicles for the Vehicle Production Group, LLC. Although, as VPG points out, the usual development gestation period for such vehicles is two to three years, VPG and AM General intend to get the ramp-equipped para-transit vehicle to market in less than 24 months. Over 3,500 units have already been ordered, leading VPG to project that annual production will well exceed that number, while AM General intends to use the same workforce it currently employs for the new project. As for what the para-transit vehicle will look like, no one knows, but there was word of AM General developing a new version of the Standard Taxi (see above) with a low ride height and large doors that appears as if it could easily accommodate wheel chairs.