Chariots Return to War After 2000 Year Hiatus

American Chariot Company announced today that is has shipped 24 of its Special Applications Series Chariots to the U.S. Army's National Automotive Center (NAC) for deployment to Iraq with the XVII Airborne Corps' 1st COSCOM, based in Ft. Bragg, NC. The Chariot is a zero-emission, all-electric, three-wheeled personal transportation vehicle.

"American Chariot is very excited to be able to help the war effort through the deployment of our Chariots," said David Joseph Lacagnina, president and CEO of American Chariot. "We've been hearing so much lately about the critical shortage of armored Humvees (HMMWVs). Our Chariots will enable individual soldiers to move around bases quickly and efficiently, and free up the Army's workhorse HMMWVs to be used off-base, where they are urgently needed to protect the troops."

Hal Almand, Team Leader for R&D of Light Platforms at the Army's Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center's National Automotive Center (NAC), explained, "We've been working with American Chariot for two years on modifications to their commercial vehicle so that the Chariot can fulfill a non-tactical military mission. Much of the transportation needs around bases involves moving a single soldier -- the Army doesn't really need to use HMMWVs to do that, if we have alternatives. Because the Army can buy at least 15 Chariots for the price of one HMMWV, this looks like a vehicle that can fill a critical need, save tax dollars, and free up tactical vehicles for more pressing business. This deployment, and others we are hoping to make in the coming year, will provide additional data and allow us to fine-tune the vehicle's features to best serve the military's needs. While this deployment involves the all-electric Chariot, we're also working with the company on the development of a hybrid vehicle with even greater range and expanded capabilities."

The American Chariot Special Application Series, a variation on the versatile Chariot platform, is designed to provide dynamic and durable personal mobility options for the armed services and government agencies. Because of its three-wheeled configuration, the Chariot provides greater flexibility, carrying capacity and reliability than other personal transportation vehicles on the market.

The Special Application Series offers dynamic solutions to a broad range of applications for moving soldiers, military leaders and support personnel including the following:


-- HMMWV Support -- The Chariot comes equipped with a special
receptacle and cable to quickly and easily jump-start HMMWVs,
further enhancing the value of the HMMWV fleet.
-- Base Transportation -- Cuts distances down to size, allowing
individual soldiers to quickly traverse large bases, increasing
productivity and reducing the need for larger, less energy-efficient
vehicles to transport individuals.
-- Flight Line Support -- The rider can take a duty bag, toolbox or
spare parts across sizable distances of flight lines and air bases.
-- Warehouse & Supply Depots -- The Chariot's small size and tight
turning radius allows for use in small spaces, without sacrificing
cargo capacity.
-- Perimeter Security Patrol -- A single soldier can patrol larger
areas, including parking lots and structures, barracks and other
buildings, in less time than on foot, and with greater efficiency
than in a larger vehicle.
-- Intra/Inter-Building Transportation -- Indoor/outdoor approved and
will allow administrative and logistical support personnel to
increase productivity and reduce costs through savings of time and
expensive fuel.
-- Package Retrieval & Local Errands -- The 450-pound capacity and
storage space allows personnel to quickly transport small packages,
parts and supplies without using larger, less economical vehicles.
-- Stealthy Surveillance -- Silent electric motors permit noiseless
approaches and stealthy surveillance.
-- Enhanced Crowd Control -- In a crowd control situation, a soldier
can more easily see and be seen, has a greater presence and better
command of the situation.

"The chariot has been around since 2,500 B.C., and used in countless battles before other inventions made it obsolete. The irony is that thousands of years after chariots' initial military use, our Chariot has found its way back into the American military with a use that's both practical and extremely cost-effective," said Joseph.

About the National Automotive Center

The National Automotive Center (NAC), founded in 1992, is the DoD/Army focal point for collaborative ground vehicle research and development (R&D). The NAC, located at the Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), is an integral part of the Army's Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). The NAC serves as a catalyst linking industry, academia and government agencies in the development and exchange of automotive technologies. The NAC leverages government, commercial industry and academia R&D investments, and initiates shared automotive technology programs. Its primary focus is to benefit current and future military ground vehicle systems through: performance improvements, service life extensions, and reduction in ground vehicle design/manufacturing/production/operation/support costs.

About American Chariot

American Chariot is committed to providing personal transportation vehicles that meet the growing challenges and diverse needs for customers. The American Chariot PTV is used for a wide range of applications including police, campus security, military and industrial customers. American Chariot is a GSA vendor (GS-O7F-5417R) and offers special rates for GSA customers. For more information on American Chariot, please call 510-614-1200 or visit http://www.americanchariot.com/ .




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Source: American Chariot Company