Fantasy on the topic: combat pickup truck based on Tesla Cybertruck
Combat pickup concept from The Warzone
After several years of announcements and promises, the American company Tesla has begun shipping serial electric Cybertruck pickup trucks. This event attracted the attention of not only car enthusiasts and specialized publications. Thus, the online magazine The Warzone tried to determine the potential of the new electric vehicle from the point of view of use in the army, incl. as a combat vehicle with one weapon or another.
Concept level
An interesting concept for rebuilding a civilian pickup truck was proposed in the TWZ article “The Case For Turning Cybertruck Into A Militarized Unmanned Ground Vehicle” dated February 22. Its author, Tyler Rogoway, proposed the general appearance of a hypothetical combat vehicle, and also described its advantages, both general and directly related to the base used. Attached to the article are conceptual images of the proposed sample in one of the possible configurations.
The actual concept of the combat vehicle looks quite simple. It is proposed to deprive the Cybertruck of its serial appearance of standard interior equipment and equip it with automatic control. Unnecessary glazing is replaced with solid covers. Outside, on the roof and in the corners of the body, optical-electronic devices and lidars should appear, providing technical vision. Situational awareness should also be improved by a tethered helicopter-type UAV.
It is proposed to use a whole range of weapons based on several models. A remote-controlled combat module with a large-caliber machine gun and an FGM-148 anti-tank missile system, equipped with the necessary optical and electronic means, was placed directly on the roof. Smoke grenade launchers should also be placed on the roof. In the aft part of the body, next to the cargo area, they found a place for eight TPK with loitering ammunition.
Lateral projection. Graphics The Warzone / twz.com
T. Rogoway believes that a combat vehicle of this appearance is capable of demonstrating high technical, combat and operational characteristics. At the same time, a number of important advantages will be given to it by the special chassis. To further improve the parameters, it is possible to modify the vehicle taking into account the specific role and features of new tasks.
Successful platform
The author of TWZ suggests that the main advantages of the proposed concept are related specifically to the chassis used. He points to the Cybertruck's "incredible" number of advantages that should be used in the military field. All of them are listed and considered taking into account military specifics.
The Cybertruck has a rigid stainless steel body, characterized by a large internal volume and a large cargo area. Due to this, the vehicle can be equipped with various devices and weapons. The freed volumes after dismantling the interior can be used to accommodate various devices, incl. an additional battery that increases the driving characteristics of the machine.
The car body, made of steel sheets, provides some ballistic protection, which has been repeatedly demonstrated by the manufacturer and enthusiasts. It can be supplemented with armor elements to enhance protection. At the same time, it will not be possible to organize mine protection - primarily due to the flat bottom due to the placement of batteries.
TWZ pays particular attention to the electric powertrain. It gives the car sufficient driving and cargo characteristics. At the same time, the car moves almost silently. The pickup truck does not have axles, which increases its ground clearance and improves cross-country ability. To further improve such parameters, it is possible to use modernization kits, incl. already developed and produced.
The concept provides for the widespread use of technical vision equipment. The Warzone graphics
In its current form, the Cybertruck has a special mode for crossing water obstacles along a ford. To do this, the controlled suspension increases the ground clearance to the maximum, and excess pressure is created in the batteries. The likelihood of water getting into key units of electrical systems is sharply reduced without loss in driving characteristics.
The electric vehicle’s ability to remain on duty for long periods of time in one place is also noted. Using electricity in this context is much more convenient and efficient than burning liquid fuel. At the same time, at any time, the combat Cybertruck will be able to begin solving the assigned task.
The pickup truck uses a fly-by-wire control system - the driver gives commands to the automation, and it decides which control signals will go to the actuators. This architecture will greatly simplify the integration of remote control and its subsequent modernization. At the same time, the car can retain the standard driver’s seat and combine control methods.
The Cybertruck chassis, in theory, can carry different loads and combat equipment options. The proposed concept has a missile and machine-gun combat module, launchers for UAVs and a reconnaissance drone, as well as means for their integration into general control systems. Within the limits of the available carrying capacity, other equipment options for combat or auxiliary purposes can be assembled.
T. Rogoway also draws attention to the economic aspects of the project. Depending on the configuration, Cybertruck costs approx. 100 thousand dollars. For comparison, the Infantry Squad Vehicles currently purchased by the Pentagon, based on the civilian Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, cost the taxpayer 150 thousand each. Thus, even taking into account all the modifications and installation of the necessary equipment, the military version of the electric vehicle will have an acceptable cost.
Cybertruck pickup in its original civilian version. Photo by Tesla Inc.
Potential problems
The idea of turning a pickup truck into a light combat vehicle with one or another equipment and weapons is obvious, and such equipment has been actively used in local conflicts in recent decades. In the absence of full-fledged combat vehicles and other serious threats, pickup trucks coped with combat missions. In addition, the ease of manufacture and low cost of such equipment had an impact on the results of operation.
The Warzone publication proposes to implement this concept again, but using a newfangled and highly advertised platform in the form of a Tesla Cybertruck pickup truck. In addition, its concept provides for the use of the characteristic capabilities of this car associated with a special powertrain and controls.
In general, this concept is of interest from the point of view of technology and the proposed ideas. However, it has a number of obvious and serious disadvantages that will prevent you from obtaining all the desired results. At the same time, the main problems of the combat Cybertruck are associated, first of all, with the base vehicle and its characteristic features. The fact is that it has the disadvantages characteristic of electric vehicles as a class, and is also not without its own problems.
Electric vehicles in general are characterized by the high cost and complexity of manufacturing the battery and motor/motors compared to cars with internal combustion engines. At the same time, they are characterized by a reduced power reserve, limited battery life, sensitivity to low temperatures, etc. Finally, an electric car is heavier than a similar car with an internal combustion engine, which worsens its power consumption and related characteristics.
Deliveries of the Cybertruck pickup truck to customers began not so long ago, but it has already managed to show its own shortcomings. Thus, there are complaints about the quality of the body workmanship, there are software defects, etc. Some of these shortcomings can be corrected by continuing mass production and/or rebuilding the vehicle for military use, but the possibility of correcting others is questionable.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk demonstrates the shockproof glass of a pickup truck. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Also questionable is the real possibility of converting a full-fledged car into an unmanned/optionally manned vehicle and the complexity of such a process. The same applies to the introduction of weapons or special equipment for military purposes.
The Pentagon announced a gradual transition of the vehicle fleet and, possibly, armored vehicles to electric traction. As part of such a program, they plan to deploy a large number of charging stations for new equipment in the future. Obviously, without such infrastructure, the concept project of a combat Cybertruck or other electric vehicle has no real prospects. At the same time, the very possibility of implementing plans to “electrify” the army still raises questions.
There are also organizational factors. Even if the Pentagon decides to create an electric armored car or an armed pickup truck, it will not go directly to Tesla or any other company that produces similar equipment. Using the forces of its structures, it will organize research work, based on the results of which it will launch a competition and invite various participants to it. It is unknown whether Tesla will participate in such a program. In addition, the timing of the launch of research, the start date of the competition, etc. remain unknown. Accordingly, it is unclear whether the current Cybertruck will be relevant then.
Ideas and reality
It should be noted that the concept of a combat electric pickup truck based on the serial Tesla Cybertruck is just a “fantasy on the topic.” A popular military publication reviewed an existing piece of equipment and tried to imagine how it could be used in the army. Naturally, such a “project” does not qualify for contracts from the Ministry of Defense or even for implementation in metal.
However, even such speculative “developments” have a certain meaning. They can help you explore ideas and concepts at an early stage and determine their overall prospects. If there are advantages, the concept can be developed. Otherwise, it will only waste the energy and time of its authors, but not the valuable resources of companies and departments. And the development of military equipment will be carried out at the expense of other ideas and projects that immediately showed their benefits.
Information