GM Defense's new Infantry Squad Vehicle variant to deploy UVision's Hero-120 loitering munitions.

On May 20, 2024, GM Defense and Mistral Inc. announced a partnership to integrate UVision's Hero-120 loitering munition with GM Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). According to the available photographs, this new variant of the ISV is equipped with four launch tubes designed for the Hero-120, potentially enhancing tactical capabilities for US military forces by combining mobility and lethality.
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This new variant of the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) is equipped with four launch tubes designed for the Hero-120 loitering munition, potentially enhancing tactical capabilities by combining mobility and lethality. (Picture source: GM Defense)

The concept of integrating the Hero-120 loitering munition with GM Defense's light tactical utility vehicle bears similarities to Russia's development of the Multiple Launch Drone System (MLDS) for the Lancet drone. As reported by Army Recognition on August 31, 2023, Russia is developing a 6x6 MLDS for the latest iteration of Lancet kamikaze drones. This prototype, attributed to the Kalashnikov group, includes a dual control station and 16 transport-launch containers for drone deployment.

The primary purpose of this prototype, reportedly based on the 6x6 Kamaz 5350 Patrol armored vehicle, is to streamline the launch process for the advanced Lancet variant, known as the Izdelie-53, which features folding wings to fit into a new tube launcher accommodating up to four drones. With 16 launchers, the MLDS has the potential to launch up to 64 Lancets against enemy targets.

In this new American partnership, GM Defense will supply the vehicle, while Mistral and UVision will provide the Hero-120 loitering munition, which will be operated from the vehicle’s cargo bed. This combined package will be available in various configurations to meet different clients' needs and mission requirements. The Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), a 4x4 light tactical vehicle based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, uses standard commercial off-the-shelf parts from the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, helping to manage costs and ensure the availability of spare parts. It also includes off-road components from Chevrolet Performance to enhance its cross-country mobility. Additionally, the vehicle’s seating configuration can be adjusted to fit different operational needs.

John Johnson, vice president of Business Development for GM Defense, noted that the program addresses a growing need for light tactical wheeled vehicles that provide agility, speed, and lethality. He also mentioned that the collaboration with Mistral demonstrates the Infantry Squad Vehicle's ability to enhance warfighters' tactical capabilities. Yoav Banai, vice president of Mistral, remarked that the integration sets a new standard in military technology, addressing evolving battlefield challenges.

Furthermore, GM Defense offers various kits to adapt the ISV for different missions, including casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), infrared lighting for nighttime operations, and gun mounts for heavy weapons. These modular kits support deployment across diverse operational environments, facilitating use by both general-purpose units and special operations forces. The vehicle's cargo bed can also house the Hero-120 Multi-Canister Launcher - Expeditionary (MCL-E), which can launch multiple drones and includes the necessary controllers, thus providing increased lethality for both mounted and dismounted soldiers.

Proposed in Europe by the German company Rheinmetall, the Hero-120 drone serves multiple purposes, including reconnaissance and electronic warfare, but can also function as a loitering munition. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Developed by UVision Air and supplied by Mistral Inc., the Hero-120 drone serves multiple purposes, including reconnaissance and electronic warfare, but can also function as a loitering munition. Meeting the US Marine Corps' requirements for the Organic Precision Fires-Mounted (OPF-M) system, the Hero-120 offers a flight endurance of up to 60 minutes, operating at altitudes from 360 to 5,500 meters. The system features a gimballed electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) day/night-vision system with auto-tracking for ISR missions. Equipped with a 4.5 kg warhead, the Hero-120 can strike targets up to 60 kilometers away and provides high maneuverability with cruciform wings. It can be launched from single or multi-canister launchers mounted on various US platforms, such as the Light Armored Vehicle-Mortar (LAV-M), Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), Long-Range Unmanned Surface Vessel (LRUSV)​, and now the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV).

GM Defense first introduced its Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) in autumn 2019, following a rapid 18-week development. As reported on March 8, 2024, the vehicle recently finished the 2023 UAE Armed Forces Summer Trials, completing nearly 2,000 kilometers of testing, covering highways, sand dunes, soft sand tracks, and rocky walls. Following the trials, the ISV received certification, with ongoing post-trial evaluations to confirm its status.

The Summer Trials tested the ISV’s endurance and capabilities under extreme conditions, including carrying maximum payloads across different terrains. The ISV also underwent Maintenance Trials to assess its sustainability and ease of repair. Following the trials, GM Defense signed a cooperative agreement with the Tawazun Council to facilitate business operations and deliver solutions to military, security, and government customers in the UAE and the wider region.

Selected by the United States Army in 2020, the ISV can carry nine infantrymen and is adaptable for air transportability by various military aircraft, including C-17, C-130, and A-400M. The US Army awarded a contract in June 2020 for the production of 649 ISVs, aiming to field these vehicles across 11 Infantry Brigade Combat Teams by 2025. By April 2023, 300 vehicles had been delivered for full-rate production.

The ISV, designated M1301 by the US Army, is developed in standard and all-electric variants, including a variant equipped with a .50 caliber gun. It features a fully welded aluminum armor body for protection against small arms fire and IEDs. The vehicle utilizes a GM Duramax 2.8L turbo diesel engine, producing 186 horsepower, paired with a GM Hydro-Matic 6L50 six-speed transmission and a GM AutoTrac two-speed transfer case. It incorporates Dana M190 and M220 axles with electronic locking differentials and includes a Roll Over Protection System (ROPS).

GM Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), designated M1301 by the US Army, is developed in standard and all-electric variants, and features an adaptable seating configuration to fit different operational needs. (Picture source: GM Defense)