DEW Engineering & Development is offering a new snowmobile that has been designed with military operations in mind. The chief innovation is its ability to run on the fuels that are routinely in use with military forces, but it also offers long range for extended patrols and a good load-towing capability.
Designated D900, the military-grade snowmobile’s three-cylinder turbocharged engine can run on either F-34/JP-8 or diesel fuel. The vehicle offers excellent fuel economy, equating to a range of more than 500km and can tow loads of 400kg. It also has a large internal stowage area and brackets for the external carriage of supplies and equipment.
Most of the components, including the driveline, have been procured off-the-shelf, but have been selected to ensure durability and performance, as well as the ability to provide long term servicing and support. The design reflects a drive for ease of maintenance in harsh conditions, with systems and components easily accessible.
In April, D900 snowmobiles were deployed with the Canadian Rangers and other military personnel for an evaluation. They were sent to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, on Victoria Island for Arctic trials in the vicinity of the DEW Line radar site.