Awarded through the Department of Logistics (DLA) Tailored Logistic Program (TLSP), the Army Corps of Engineers is set to take delivery of a slightly modified version of the Stag that dealers and select media saw deep in the heart of Texas a couple days ago. The Mil-Spec Stag will include an enhanced 54kWh electric powertrain and be utilized to support the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) disaster and emergency response missions.
“What we are witnessing in federal and state procurement is beyond a movement to simply comply with administrative requirements for fleet electrification,” explains Volcon VP of Global Defense & Government Programs, Richard Tannery. “These mandates provide good introductions to government decision makers regarding the technology, and many are realizing that EV performance speaks for itself. The conversation is shifting to one of tactical advantage, over sustainability.”
As Volcon continues to enter new sales channels, its ability to rapidly prototype and leverage strategic and innovative collaborations has been met with increased interest by various government entities, Tannery adds. “Especially as they will need to meet the aggressive timelines for fleet electrification as set by the US Army’s 2022 Climate Strategy, and the Biden administration’s 2021 Federal Sustainability Plan. He does concede there is hesitance in early adoption of electrified fleets, however.
“Until decision makers are aware that we can export power for tactical surveillance and communications systems, provide silent overwatch for forward reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, traverse all-terrain conditions with a reduced thermal and noise signature, reduce maintenance requirements, and begin to assess how to more efficiently manage the logistical requirements of petroleum-based fuels in contested environments. The technology needs to be chosen for the correct mission set. That is the real conversation. We can’t force technology into the battlefield to the disadvantage of the warfighter just because it feels good. Instead, we have to apply the technology to the correct tactical application. That’s how you deploy new technology, today.”
Missions include emergency power support, emergency infrastructure assessments, debris removal and urban search & rescue, which require rapidly deployable and energy efficient systems to successfully initiate and conduct emergency response, disaster, and contingency operations. Volcon is set to deliver a total of five Stag UTV vehicles to the U.S. Army under the management of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL). The Stag is expected to be delivered to multiple U.S. Army locations in late 2023.