Quad Bike (ATV)

Delivering vital combat supplies to troops on the ground, the Yahama Quad Bike and trailers provide sterling service on frontline operations. Officially they are known as All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

The ATVs and trailers deliver food, water and ammunition to the front line, in difficult to access areas or where larger vehicles are not suitable, effectively running alongside those who are on dismounted operations. They can also be used in casualty evacuation.

The quad bikes and trailers come with a number of upgrades, including:

• left-hand throttle, which provides a dual throttle fit giving greater maneuverability in theatre; • dual stretcher fit on trailer - to evacuate two casualties at a time, thereby speeding up emergency aid.

The ATVs alone can reach speeds of up to 75kph, reduced to a recommended speed of 50kph with the trailer (limiting factors in both scenarios is the terrain in which they will be operating). Both can operate through water up to half their wheel height.

Operators using the ATVs are protected by wearing Osprey Assault body armour and Mk7 helmets.

Major Matt Cansdale of 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, who used the bikes during his recent operational tour, added:

"The quad bikes proved to be reliable and able to go places that no other vehicle could.

"The equipment the quad bikes were able to carry enabled us to launch patrols that covered more distance and were longer in duration than would otherwise have been the case, so we were able to push into areas that the enemy did not expect us.

"The ability to evacuate casualties effectively and quickly also meant that we could move away from established routes while limiting the risk to our forces."

These are the modern equivalent of the Second World War Trailers, Trolleys and Universal Carriers and fulfill a much needed role for Airborne Forces.

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