John Deere presents its new range of military vehicles at DSEi 2011.

First time exhibitors at DSEi 2011, John Deere and Boeing Defence UK are showing the newly developed Assisted Carriage System (ACS), based on a John Deere R-Gator robotic utility vehicle. The M-Gator A3, the latest member of the John Deere family of military vehicles, is also featured at the show.

The R-Gator ACS, developed by Boeing Defence UK in partnership with John Deere, is a highly mobile, heavy-duty cross-country vehicle that is capable of keeping up with soldiers over rough terrain. It is designed to help reduce the amount of weight they have to carry in the field – often as much as half their own body weight in equipment, armour and supplies.

John Deere Gator utility vehicles are used by customers around the world for general transport and work applications. Based on the proven M-Gator platform, the R-Gator has been developed in direct response to military feedback received from soldiers and marines. Boeing Defence UK has integrated the R-Gator with additional technologies to enable the vehicle to better perform many tactical support functions, and meet the heavy-duty hauling requirements of military applications.

It is also fitted with precision guidance, navigation and obstacle avoidance technology that has been at work for two decades in John Deere's agricultural product range.

The ACS can support an infantry section of up to eight men by allowing them to offload up to 635kg of individual equipment. It can also carry an increased level of combat ready supplies for more effective patrolling and re-supply operations. Most importantly, the vehicle can operate autonomously or be driven manually, day and night, and it can be reconfigured to meet a multitude of ground support needs.