International SOTV-B camouflages military armor under the HiLux hull
International military off-road vehicle SOTV-B.
It may look like any old generic ute, but it's not. That's the point.
It is an armored all-terrain military vehicle designed to blend in with the world around it. The custom vehicle is made by Navistar Defense, a division of the International and CAT truck company.
Called International SOTV-B, it uses the logic that driving a big Chevy Silverado or Humvee to a remote area in the Middle East is a good way to get the attention of US troops.
The Stealth ute is a SOTV-A - Special Operations Tactical Vehicle variant that can best be described as a Humvee replacement.
The regular Model A looks like a military vehicle with armor and standard khaki paint. The installation of a machine gun on the roof leaves no doubt about its purpose.
It is a two-seat, highly armored cab designed from the ground up for military use, which means it is stronger and more durable than any civilian vehicle, and has outstanding off-road capabilities.
Its modular design allows for several variations. The basic body and chassis remain, but all other panels, including the hood and front guard, door trim, tailgate and body sides, can be replaced.
It is not a direct copy of any model, but it is easy to confuse it with the fifth generation Toyota HiLux with the naked eye.
This is where SOTV-B comes in. It has the same basic mechanicals as the military version, but has standard exterior panels.
It is not a direct copy of any model, but to the naked eye it is easy to confuse it with the fifth generation Toyota HiLux, which has been in production for ten years after it was introduced in 1988.
This is by design given that older HiLux models have been widely used in the Middle East, sometimes by terrorist groups.
Indeed, during the trial of Osama bin Laden's driver, Salim Ahmed Hamdan, it was revealed that he was driving the world's most wanted man in a Toyota.
The SOTV-B payload is 1361–1814 kg depending on the weight of the armor plating and other equipment on board. To cross shallow streams, it has a 610mm deep ford - not as deep as the Ford Ranger, but the Ranger is not armored.
The suspension is completely independent front and rear, not to improve driving performance, but to maximize wheel articulation and off-road flotation. It can be ordered with rear-wheel drive, but is most often ordered with all-wheel drive.
The engine is a powerful 4.4-liter inline-four turbodiesel from the American brand Cummins. It generates 187kW of power but exceeds usable torque, peaking at 800Nm.
SOTV-B is available with run-flat tires capable of withstanding gunfire.
The low-load engine, designed for maximum durability, powers a conventional Allison six-speed torque converter automatic and can propel the subcompact to 160 km/h.
SOTV-B is available with run-flat tires capable of withstanding gunfire. Infrared illumination allows the robot to work in stealth mode at night.
It is relatively compact for a military vehicle - its dimensions from nose to tail are 300 mm smaller than those of the Ranger's cockpit. This allows it to fit neatly inside the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, the venerable supply helicopter.
International considers the SOTV-A to be the best choice for situations where the vehicle is likely to come under fire due to its thicker armor. It states that SOTV-B is better suited for surveillance and reconnaissance.
