Urban Combat Skateboard

MtnGoat · 04-13-2006, 14:04

Found this on the net.

But I just really didn't know where to put this at, which tread. I knew it needed to be in AT EASE, but I thought maybe in The Comedy Zone. Well here we go:

An. Urban. Combat. Skateboard.

Laugh, if you want, but it's the only vehicle from Future Combat Systems to be fielded so far. (wrong the Buffalo has, and many more toys)

I also see it was "experimental". This must have been in Darpa's lean years. Was this was before the military starting buying commercial parts? Back when the Pentagon shopped at rummage sales?

And I'm fuzzy on this whole "detecting trip wires and snipers" tactic, here. I mean, you'd detect them, all right. I'm no military strategist, but you don't need a skateboard to set off booby-traps and get shot at.

I can see it now: "Lance Corporal, go see if that hallway is rigged to blow. Yeah. Just roll down it. Fast. Ever see 'Behind Enemy Lines'? Outrun the explosions like Owen Wilson did in the movie. And draw any sniper fire, while you're at it..."

The skateboard doesn't appear to be armored, though, and I can already hear Rummy going on about how you go to war with the skateboard you have, not the skateboard you want. Which is too bad, because there are some real bitchin' decks out there this year. (The board this Marine has is not one of them.)

Ahem. Seriously now. To be honest, if that photo and caption hadn't come from the DoD I'd think it was a joke. I almost should go check Snopes on this one. Does anyone have any info on the urban combat skateboard? I looked around a bit but got butkus.

LINK

I know somethings are great idea, like PakBots

and new gear. But come on now.

SF18C · 04-14-2006, 11:45

Hey what ever it takes to get these young Tony Hawk fans to sign up, right!?

D...do you remember when I tried to talk the HALO team in to using snow boards? I thought it sounded great, jump in with full combat load and the board already strapped on. Just land uphill from the target, cut away from the rig and boggie on down!

In case anyone is wondering...my team didn't go for it either!

MtnGoat · 04-14-2006, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by SF18C

Hey what ever it takes to get these young Tony Hawk fans to sign up, right!?

D...do you remember when I tried to talk the HALO team in to using snow boards? I thought it sounded great, jump in with full combat load and the board already strapped on. Just land uphill from the target, cut away from the rig and boggie on down!

In case anyone is wondering...my team didn't go for it either!

NO.

If you remember Phillips my Tm Ldr. He did something with the thought while he did his Bn HQ time. Didn't go good, just like his request for some 4 & 6 Wheelers idea too. Man how people thought of "IDEAs" and people, mainly Conventional Staffers shooting down the ideas.

But When I left, No on the broads. But the Wheelers where working through about.

PM in Box

Warrior-Mentor · 04-14-2006, 13:34

Did the MILES Gear in that photo slap anybody else in the face?

MtnGoat · 04-14-2006, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor

Did the MILES Gear in that photo slap anybody else in the face?

Yes The whole PIX slap my face. OMG

That goes with the $5,000 Shuttle Tolet sit in the 80's. The Company will sell that $10-15 Stakebroad for $100 or more. Man-o-Man

Slantwire · 04-18-2006, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnGoat

Laugh, if you want, but it's the only vehicle from Future Combat Systems to be fielded so far. (wrong, the Buffalo has, and many more toys)

Two years ago, I worked on rigging up a pair of Bobcats for remote control EOD (some up-armor, gel tires, etc). Could drive it from about 100 yards away via PDA or laptop with joysticks (intercepted the control lines so our box could get the user input, then spoof the controls to drive the thing "normally"). Wasn't part of FCS or a DARPA program, just something we slapped together for Rapid Equipping Force - then after the successful demo they sat in our lab for about 20 months before they were sent anywhere. Last I heard one was in Tajikistan and the other in Baghdad.

I guess someone liked big Buffalos better...

MtnGoat · 04-18-2006, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinhead

Wasn't part of FCS or a DARPA program, just something we slapped together for Rapid Equipping Force - then after the successful demo they sat in our lab for about 20 months before they were sent anywhere.

The Army always seems to take longer on fielding and testing of new Equipment or weapons. USMC are far the best for Rapid fielding. Yes they are smaller, but still their fast.