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ASDS - Advanced SEAL Delivery System MH-47E Chinook Special Ops helicopter Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk Series US Navy Mk V Special Operations Craft Ranger Special Operations Vehicle |
Desert Patrol Vehicle
Built by Chenowyth Racing in El Cajon, California, the DPV is used by the
Navy SEALs for missions such as CSAR (
C
ombat
S
earch and
R
escue
) and scouting behind enemy lines. They usually operate
in pairs (
for mutual support
), and although they can reach speeds
up to 80mph, they will usually travel at significantly slower speeds to
prevent breakdowns that might compromise their missions.
The DPV is powered by a 200hp VW engine that is capable of accelerating it from 0 to 30 mph in only four seconds. With its 21 gallon capacity, the DPV has a range of about 210 miles. A fuel bladder with a 120 gallon capacity can also be carried, with it the DPV can patrol over 1,000 miles in one mission. Satellite GPS ( G lobal P ositioning S ystem ) systems help pinpoint the DPV's position as well as speed, bearing to the target, and distance from it.
The DPV can be armed with a vast array of weapons that make it a deadly
adversary. The basic weapons suite is a .50 M2 heavy machine gun, two M-60
7.62 light machine guns, and two AT-4 anti-armor rocket launchers. In many
cases the driver's M-60 or the gunner's M2 is swapped with a Mk19 40mm
grenade launcher. Other weapons that can be carried are a low-recoil 30mm
cannon and TOW missile launchers. In addition, the crew can carry M203
combos and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles for personal defence.
The DPV is currently operated only by SEAL Team Three, the unit tasked with the Middle East. Three DPVs can be carried by one C-130 and air dropped for their missions. Additionally, DPVs will fit in the H-53 helicopter used by the Air Force, Marines, and Navy. Desert patrol vehicles were used in the Gulf War by SEALs in the retaking of Kuwait city.
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