Combat Countdown (2012) s01e08 Episode Script
Ultimate ATV's
narrator: in battle, the ultimate test for any war machine is the battleground itself.
the effective terrain on military operations is absolutely critical.
narrator: weapons systems that can handle any terrain put you one step ahead of the enemy.
huston: it would cause them a lot of distress and difficulty because you're still coming.
you just keep coming.
narrator: we're counting down the top 10 all-terrain war machines across every class of weapons system from the harrier jump jet to the fearsome puma and the cutting-edge m3 amphibious rig to find out what delivers ultimate all-terrain mobility.
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS English Sbutitles Collected and Modified By: in any kind of fight, terrain can be decisive.
the enemy always uses the terrain to his advantage.
and you need to be able to counter that advantage.
narrator: to be effective, a weapons system has to be able to handle any battleground, from mountains to desert and frozen tundra.
if it doesn't, you're vulnerable to attack.
it means that you can impose your will on the other side, no matter what the weather, setting, or terrain.
narrator: with the help of military experts we do it all, and we do it all pretty well.
narrator: we're going to count down the top 10 all-terrain weapons systems on the planet.
each machine will be assessed on a balance of service record versatility design ingenuity, and rank within their class to determine our definitive top 10.
coming in at number 10, the most mobile armoured personnel carrier ever built -- the bmp-3 infantry fighting vehicle.
origin -- russia.
cost -- $2.
5 million.
weight -- 19 tons.
length -- 23 feet.
soviet military doctrine is all about massive fast attacks, and that makes all-terrain mobility a number-one priority.
so, the bmp-3 is designed to range up to 370 miles across some of the toughest terrain on the planet.
i'd rate the bmp-3's all-terrain capability as high.
it can handle rough terrain and especially difficult terrain because it's a fully tracked vehicle.
narrator: the 15"-wide tracks ensure that the 19-ton armored killing machine doesn't sink into the mud.
and a high power-to-weight ratio -- 27 brake horsepower per ton -- gives it the grunt power over any obstacle.
it's a very efficient power plant.
so, it moves more efficiently across open ground.
even a barrier like a massive river is no problem for the bmp.
it just dives right in.
when it hits the water, buoyancy chambers keep it afloat, while the 500-horsepower transmash diesel engine drives the tracks forward, propelling the deadly atv at speeds of 6.
2 miles per hour.
it means that rivers are no longer a barrier against your opponent.
it means that this thing can arrive on the battlefield extremely quickly.
[ speaking native language .]
narrator: the bmp's 5 weapons systems are all optimized to be fired on the move, across rough terrain.
three machine guns, a 30-millimeter auto cannon, and even the big 100-millimeter gun can fire without slowing the vehicle.
those things are bristling with weapons and loaded with infantry.
that's an awful lot of firepower on a vehicle that could be speeding towards you at 40 or 50 miles an hour.
narrator: built-in stabilization systems ensure their accuracy, however bad the terrain gets.
man, if you saw one in real life you would take your little toyota and run away from it very quickly.
narrator: extensive deployment scores well, but heavy combat losses affect the service record.
the combination of all-terrain mobility with firepower scores high for versatility.
the amphibious design was groundbreaking in its time.
bmp-3 outperforms western counterparts on rough country.
overall, the bmp-3 scores enough for the number-10 position.
carving a path to the number-9 spot, the most advanced engineering vehicle on the modern battlefield the patria-hmbv.
origin -- finland.
cost -- $5.
5 million.
weight -- 53 tons.
length -- 26 feet.
the most fearsome piece of terrain any army has to cross is a minefield, and that's where the hmbv, or heavy mine breaching vehicle, truly comes into its own.
the vehicle's primary weapon against mines is a 4.
5-foot-high plow held by three hydraulically actuated arms, capable of varying the depth it digs at.
the plow just digs them up and casts them aside.
hazell: if the mine is turned over, then that means it's gonna be rendered useless because if it goes off, then all the explosive force is directed downwards.
narrator: whether the obstacles are manmade or natural, there is no battlefield that can stop the hmbv.
they maintain mobility and speed.
and all of a sudden, terrain that's been denied is opened up.
narrator: the 1,500-horsepower mb 837 turbocharged diesel engine gets it up to 43 miles per hour through any type of terrain.
and despite its 53-ton bulk, the 25"-wide tracks carry it effortlessly over any type of ground.
on hard earth, they grip.
on soft, they distribute the tank's weight to stop it from sinking.
even an obstacle like a 10-ton boulder -- the weight of 5 station wagons -- is no match for the might of the patria.
the 12-foot-wide detachable dozer blade simply shoves it aside.
the hmbv's ability to traverse any terrain and open up the battlefield for other vehicles has a massive impact.
the patria's service record does not include substantial combat deployment.
the hmbv can tackle any terrain or any obstacle and engineering tasks.
the design boasts a host of innovative features.
the patria is up against strong competition in its class.
overall, the hmbv scores enough for the number-9 position.
still to come, the cutting-edge all-terrain vehicles that are breaking new ground on the battlefield.
narrator: counting down the best all-terrain vehicles on the battlefield, at number 8, the combat jet that needs no runway the av-8b harrier ii.
origin -- usa and u.
k.
cost -- $30 million.
weight -- 16 tons.
length -- 46 feet.
the harrier's ability to get airborne in just 250 yards and land in any clearing wider than its own 30-foot wingspan means it can operate in areas that would be totally out of bounds to any ordinary combat jet.
we can operate off of the small-deck classes.
we can operate out of what we call forward-operating bases, which is reduced runway length.
we can operate out of anywhere in the world at anytime, anyplace.
caddick-adams: it's significant it's operated in large numbers by the u.
s.
marine corps.
they want air power, often in strange places that are far away.
and they need the firepower and capability of their jets, but they often don't have a base from which to operate in.
narrator: v/stol -- vertical short takeoff and landing -- is critical to its mission of providing air support to marine corps expeditionary forces deployed far away from conventional air bases.
hoyle: the uniqueness of a harrier is the ability to take off and land vertically.
that's something that, beyond a helicopter, you just cannot do.
narrator: the key to this incredible ability is the rolls-royce pegasus engine.
instead of just blasting gas out the back like a normal jet engine, the pegasus does something called thrust vectoring.
the engine's four exhaust nozzles are movable, capable of rotating through up to 98 degrees to redirect all 23,400 pounds of thrust in any direction.
angling the nozzles down 55 degrees, pegasus gets an av-8b, with a full combat load airborne in just 750 feet.
a harrier gives you the ability to deploy without requiring any kind of airfield at all.
all you need is a flat clearing in a forest or stretch of road, and you're up.
narrator: and as soon as they're up, the pilot points the nozzle straight back, accelerating the harrier to 673 miles per hour.
an amazing by-product of the terrain-busting v/stol ability is that thrust vectoring allows the av-8b to turn with any plane in the sky.
you see them sometimes do their throttle movements in a dogfight, where they just stop.
narrator: as the pilot aims the engine's nozzle straight down, the harrier comes to a halt in midair, hovering like a helicopter.
with a few gentle control inputs, this plane can spin on a dime, fly sideways, backwards, and even straight up.
when you see a jet like that just go up straight, it changes your whole understanding of what planes can do.
it really is amazing.
narrator: rapid deployment from forward bases means the harrier can unleash devastation on opponents who aren't expecting aerial assault.
it is a unique weapon on the battlefield.
narrator: seven hardpoints on the underside carry up to 6.
6 tons of munitions including sidewinder and amraam missiles or jdam and paveway laser-guided bombs for striking ground targets.
the harrier's combination of short takeoff vertical landing and incredible maneuverability is exceptional.
the harrier has performed well in combat since the '80s.
versatility is a strong point for the multi-role aircraft.
the design's only weakness is limited payloads.
the harrier has no direct competitors in its unique role.
overall, the av-8b earns enough for the number-8 position.
coming in at number 7 in the ultimate atv countdown, the fastest obstacle-buster in any modern army the rebs, the rapidly emplaced bridge system.
origin -- germany.
cost $910,000.
weight -- 5 tons.
length -- 45 feet.
in 2007, the u.
s.
army introduced a radical new solution to the age-old problem of crossing obstacles.
the rebs is a rapid equipment bridging system.
it was designed by the united states to be put on the back of all sorts of different kinds of equipment.
narrator: the preferred mount for deploying the rebs is the army's 18-ton heavy expanded mobility tactical truck.
the 445-horsepower, 8-liter detroit diesel engine, coupled with the 8-wheel drive, gives it the ability to deploy the rebs anywhere it needs to be within its range of 300 miles.
the key is, you can deploy it quickly, and it will cross a gap of about 13 to 15 meters.
narrator: the rebs' system has a crew of just two men.
track which cable? but computerized controls and high-pressure hydraulics make assembling this bridge as easy as pressing buttons.
the rebs is a ready-made, instantly deployable bridge.
you don't have to assemble it.
narrator: like a giant transformer, rebs unpacks itself.
telescopic tubes spread the high-tensile aluminum deck.
the 2.
4-ton wedge-shaped sections slide into position, automatically locking them together.
hydraulic pinwheels power the completed 45-foot bridge straight across the abyss.
in under 10 minutes, rebs is down and ready for action.
you simply put it on the back of a piece of equipment, and when you come up to whatever obstacle it is, it's laid.
r-7, retrieval bridge from gap.
narrator: the bridge component itself weighs just over 5 tons, but it's capable of supporting vehicles more than 10 times its own weight.
they're designed so that they can carry 60-ton vehicles.
they're quite impressive.
narrator: the key to this disproportionate strength is the advanced materials used in its construction.
hazell: a typical modern bridge would be made from a particular grade of aluminum alloy, which was designed specifically for strength, for toughness, and for durability.
narrator: that's strong enough to carry almost everything in the u.
s.
army's inventory.
rebs was only introduced in 2007 but has proved mission-critical, maintaining transport links in afghanistan.
the versatile bridge covers everything from bomb craters to canals.
the rebs' compact design and rapid emplacement score for design ingenuity.
there is no comparable system to rival rebs in its class.
rebs' amazing engineering and rapid operation earn it the number-7 spot in our top 10.
coming up, the all-terrain vehicles you just can't stop.
narrator: at number 6 in the atv countdown, europe's rapid-deployment armored fighting vehicle the kto rosomak.
origin -- poland.
cost -- $2.
7 million.
weight -- 24.
3 tons.
length -- 25 feet.
in 2004, the polish army took delivery of its latest all-terrain vehiclethe kto rosomak.
translation -- "wolverine.
" in the 21st century, there's a big debate about the future of the main battle tank because it's so heavy.
and the kto rosomak is an answer to that problem.
narrator: the wolverine can perform multiple roles, from troupe transport to recon, medevac, or infantry assault, all based on one chassis.
unlike other vehicles in its class, it's stripped down to be just 9 feet wide, so it can be carried even on small-transport aircraft.
the point about the rosomak is that it's light.
you can put it in a c-130 hercules and take it anywhere in the world.
narrator: this unique capability meant that more than 30 could be flown at short notice to fight in afghanistan.
caddick-adams: you can soon assemble a meaningful amount of these almost anywhere in the world, and you can do it overnight.
narrator: the 7-1/2-foot-high machine can charge into battle at up to 62 miles per hour.
the rosomak offers high speed and an all-terrain capability, and that means it's capable of operating in almost any environments that modern military planners would consider for an armed force.
narrator: when it hits rough ground, it barely skips a beat, thanks to the 450-horsepower engine that produces 1,500 foot-pounds of torque.
that's 15 times more than a jeep.
the wolverine has fully independent, adjustable double-wishbone suspension on each wheel.
this rugged setup keeps the wheels in contact with the ground, maintaining traction whatever the conditions.
it's very good on rough terrain, and it's also amphibious.
so, that gives it a wide range of environments in which it can operate and feel quite at home.
narrator: the wolverine's 8 wheels spread the 20-ton weight of the vehicle not just for all-terrain capabilities but to reduce the risk of triggering land mines.
as future wars demand more rapid, more distant global deployment, other war machines will follow in the wolverine's wake if they can.
it's this kind of weapons system that we're going to see an awful lot more of in coming decades.
narrator: the wolverine has excelled in operations in afghanistan.
the multi-role vehicle excels for versatility.
the wolverine's design is a simple modification of an existing battle-proven machine.
this wheeled all-terrain vehicle comes top of its class, just.
overall, the wolverine slots into the number-6 position.
at number 5, the world's most combat-proven armored engineering vehicle the puma.
origin -- israel.
cost -- $3 million.
weight -- 50 tons.
length -- 25 feet.
the israel defense force regularly has to contend with some of the most challenging terrain on the planet.
these areas are extremely hostile operating terrain.
narrator: but it's not just desert, rock, and sand that makes this terrain tough.
israel's frontiers are some of the most extensively mined areas on the planet.
the puma is designed fundamentally as a combat engineer vehicle.
its role is to break through enemy defensive systems, be they antitank ditches, be they minefields.
narrator: it's the job of the 9-foot-high puma to carve a path through this hostile ground for other less capable vehicles.
caddick-adams: if you're trying to clear a minefield, the best way to do that is to have some kind of mine-clearing tank that's detonating the mines in front of it.
narrator: the puma's main weapon against mines is the carpet mine-clearing rocket launchers, capable of firing up to 20 missiles with fuel-air explosive warheads to destroy mines.
each rocket then creates a certain amount of pressure on the ground, and that pressure detonates mines, therefore enabling us to go through.
narrator: the puma can clear a path 320 feet long across ground that would be deadly to other vehicles in an armored formation.
dunstan: it is a formidable vehicle.
it is a fundamental support to the main battle tanks and the armored fighting groups.
narrator: the veteran vehicle's chassis has been tricked out with a host of improvements for the modern battlefield, such as new shock absorbers, lightweight tracks, and a 900-horsepower heavy-duty diesel engine, as used on the merkava main battle tank.
dunstan: they have modified it extensively, and it's at the forefront of every operation they conduct against hezbollah, hamas, wherever they may be.
narrator: if the puma comes under fire, smoke grenade launchers create instant cover, with a screen 200 feet wide and 25 feet high.
dunstan: the puma is highly effective.
the idf considered replacing it, but the cost was high, and the fact is, the puma continues to fulfill its role admirably.
narrator: the puma's incredible all-terrain mobility and defensive capability make it the only vehicle to lead the line across the most fiercely contested territory in the world.
the puma has been on the frontline for over 20 years.
the ability to handle a range of threats across every terrain scores for versatility.
the impressive range of mine-clearing tools scores for design ingenuity.
its multi-terrain capabilities leave other vehicles in its wake.
overall, the puma's ability to conquer deadly terrain earns it the number-5 position.
up next, the war machines that open up the 21st-century battleground.
narrator: we're counting down the top military atvs on the planet.
at number 4, one of the most versatile military transport vehicles in combat today the bvs 10 viking.
origin -- sweden.
cost -- $1.
6 million.
weight -- 14 tons.
length -- 27 feet.
the 9-foot-tall, 9-foot-wide viking can be transported by air or sea, ready to ferry 6 tons of troops and equipment into battle.
the 27-foot articulated truck has full amphibious capabilities.
what makes it incredible is the range of ground and terrain that the vehicle can actually cross.
narrator: in water, the 4 24"-wide ridged rubber tracks act like paddlewheels to propel the viking at 3 miles per hour.
on land, the tracks spread its 14-ton weight, exerting 3 pounds of pressure per square inch -- 10 times less than the average car.
it'll cross anything from desert sand to snow.
caddick-adams: the wider the track beams, the lesser the ground pressure, therefore the more difficult terrain it can cope with.
narrator: the low-pressure tracks also provide grip for climbing up slopes no other machine can handle, as steep as 45 degrees.
its 275-horsepower, 6-cylinder, turbo diesel provides the pulling power.
it's a 5.
9-liter cummins engine, which gives a tremendous amount of power-to-weight ratio.
if gravity would allow, there's enough power in this engine that the vehicle could pull itself vertical.
narrator: the viking's articulation is crucial for its all-terrain capability.
when it crests a ridge, hydraulic rams between the units flex, keeping all 620 foot-pounds of torque from all four tracks on the ground.
for steering, the rams point the head where the viking wants to go, and the tracks do the rest.
it can caterpillar, snake, and maneuver itself around, unlike any other vehicle in the world.
narrator: in the rough desert conditions of afghanistan, the viking form the mainstay of the british royal marine's all-terrain capability, with 50 deployed.
it is a battle winner, a war winner.
narrator: these world-beating all-terrain capabilities make the viking a favorite for the troops who take it into combat.
when the bullets are flying around and there is rpgs and things like that, the guys will tell you, when this walks up to pick them and take them away, it's an absolute life-saver.
narrator: the viking has seen extensive and effective action in afghanistan.
its versatility enables it to perform roles from troop transport to heavy hauling.
the viking's design is a remarkable modern evolution of a 50-year-old vehicle.
it's one of the best in its class.
overall, the viking's ability to cross insane terrain, as well as open ocean, wins the number-4 position.
at number 3, the chopper they used to get bin laden in some of the toughest terrain on the planet the uh-60 black hawk.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $21 million.
weight -- 11 tons.
length -- 64 feet.
when the u.
s.
army has to operate in truly harsh territory, they bring in the black hawks.
it provides great mobility in just about any type environment.
it can deliver troops in a large group very quickly on the ground and move.
capps: the only way you can do that in any sort of rough terrain is helicopters.
i think the black hawk has really -- first the huey, now the black hawk, have become the foundation for u.
s.
army tactics.
narrator: the jungles of vietnam taught the u.
s.
army tough lessons about all-terrain mobility.
with no roads for tanks and trucks, the army's huey choppers had to handle massive workloads.
now it's the black hawk that keeps the troops moving when the roads run out.
mcfadden: the uh-60 black hawk is the workhorse of the army's battlefield.
it hauls troops.
it does medevac.
it can do reconnaissance.
it can do electronic intelligence gathering.
it does it all.
it's just so versatile that you can pretty much do anything.
we do it all, and we do it all pretty well.
narrator: the black hawk's capabilities have made it a favorite for special forces, and a version of the helicopter, heavily modified for stealth, delivered the navy seals who finally caught up with osama bin laden.
mcfadden: it's fast.
it can get in and out of an area rapidly, without ever being detected.
it's such an effective and versatile weapon.
narrator: the 7-1/2-foot-wide chopper's ability to operate in all terrains and all conditions has proved decisive in america's most recent conflicts.
the black hawk is a very capable aircraft, used very widely in afghanistan.
when you look at some of the coalition forces that don't have black hawks, one of the recurring themes is "i wish i had a few black hawks.
" narrator: the biggest problem helicopters face in afghanistan is high altitude sapping engine power.
but the black hawk's two 1,900-horsepower general electric turbofans provide enough grunt to stay up in the thin mountain air.
mcfadden: black hawk's a good aircraft because it's strong.
it can go to altitude with a big load in the back of the aircraft.
narrator: that engine power, combined with the lift from the 54-foot diameter titanium composite rotors gives black hawk the ability to carry up to 4.
1 tons of cargo as an under-slung load.
hickey: you can move just about anything with the uh-60 black hawk.
you can move a howitzer and ammunition.
you can move a squad of soldiers.
you could move a pile of plywood if you want.
but what that gives the commander in the field is great versatility.
narrator: the 14-cubic-yard cabin can also be packed with two tons of cargo.
but the black hawk's all-terrain capability comes into its own when it serves as a battle taxi for rapid deployment of 11 fully armed combat troops.
there's no better job in the world than being a uh-60 black hawk pilot in the united states army.
it's awesome.
narrator: the war in afghanistan is a tough test for military equipment, but the black hawk has passed with flying colors.
the black hawk has been instrumental for more than 30 years.
it's exceptionally versatile, performing every role from transport to recon and airborne assault.
the design is simple, effective, and adaptable.
it's the world's leading utility chopper.
overall, the black hawk's game-changing ability to conquer every conceivable battlefield terrain wins the number-3 position.
still to come the best of the best in the ultimate atv countdown.
narrator: claiming the runner-up position in the ultimate atv countdown, the most advanced combat bridging system in the world the m3 amphibious rig.
origin -- germany.
cost -- $3 million.
weight -- 26 tons.
length -- 42 feet.
the m3 mobile bridging system has a 400-horsepower turbo diesel engine, automatic transmission, and 4-wheel drive, enabling it to tackle tough terrain at speeds up to 50 miles per hour.
armies have always needed a capability to get over a river.
narrator: most military bridging vehicles take time to deploy their bridge.
the 13-foot-high m3 is the bridge.
caddick-adams: what the m3 bridging rig is designed to do is to drive straight in to a river, provide a floating platform that can ferry even a main battle tank across a river as wide as the rhine.
narrator: at the touch of a button, massive 41-foot-long aluminum pontoons fold down and lock into position.
these giant air-filled tanks provide enough buoyancy to keep the m3 afloat, even carrying loads up to 132 tons.
the m3 is a transformer, but it's real.
so, it's a quick and easy solution to an age-old problem.
narrator: the m3's 5-foot-high wheels provide no traction in the water.
so, as it approaches a river, the axles retract to make room for the two water jets to go to work.
the high-pressure jets are gimbal-mounted so they can rotate through 360 degrees, allowing the driver to steer the rig in any direction at 9 miles per hour.
with the m3, it can get across land quickly.
it can get into the water quickly and across the water quickly.
narrator: when the m3 is faced with truly massive loads, it can join forces with one of its fellows.
heavy steel deck plates are craned into position and 1.
7"-thick bolts connect the rigs together to form a giant super-ferry, capable of carrying enormous weight.
caddick-adams: the u.
s.
marine corps -- when it needed the capability to cross the tigris or the euphrates in iraq, the only instant bridging capability around was that of the m3 bridging rig.
narrator: but sometimes, acting as a highly mobile amphibious ferry just isn't enough.
to provide a solid link across a huge river, the m3 links with 7 other rigs, forming a fixed bridge capable of spanning gaps 110 yards across.
the exit! the simple modular assembly system means the whole bridge can go up in 10 minutes.
people think that it takes days, weeks, or months to build a bridge, but with the m3, the soldiers can do it within minutes.
narrator: this bridge is strong enough to support multiple tanks and trucks or even a battalion of troops in full combat gear.
at the end of the day, the m3 did the job perfectly.
narrator: when it's time to go, the rigs simply unlock and leave, using their incredible all-terrain mobility to keep pace with armored formations.
the m3 has provided valuable service in iraq.
the ability to switch from bridge to ferry scores for versatility.
the modular bridge assembly scores for ingenuity.
it's the world's foremost combat bridging system.
despite the high scores, the m3 just gets the runner-up position.
no matter what kind of fight you're in, getting to the battle is critical.
and if your hardware can't handle the battleground you're not going to win.
when you factor in all the key elements, one war machine's extraordinary terrain-busting abilities put it ahead of the rest of the pack.
at number 1, the most battle-proven atv on the planet, the u.
s.
marine corps' aav.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $3.
5 million.
weight -- 29 tons.
length -- 26 feet.
the 11-foot-high aav is the most important ground vehicle in the u.
s.
marine corps inventory.
a fleet of aavs can deploy over 1,000 marines en masse, from the u.
s.
navy's colossal $750 million wasp amphibious assault ships.
up to 52 of the 10-foot-wide amtracks can be harbored within the wasp's well decks at a time.
and when the stern ramp comes down, the incredible aavs launch straight into the ocean as fully capable landing craft, able to deliver troops up to 12 nautical miles away.
in water, the aav is powered by twin water jets, pumping 28,000 gallons of ocean per minute.
6,000 pounds of thrust drives the amphibian through the sea at over 7 knots.
going ashore in an amtrack is a very interesting experience.
you don't stay dry, you don't move fast, and you rock around a lot.
narrator: the streamlined shape is also optimized for stability at sea, and the low center of gravity allows the amtrack to handle anything up to 12-foot waves and 25-knot winds.
as it approaches the littoral penetration point, amtrack injects diesel fuel directly into the exhaust to provide an instant protective smoke screen.
grice: once you get into the enemy's backdoor, it's nice to have that type of a capability with you.
narrator: when it hits the beach, the aav reveals its truly world-class all-terrain capabilities.
all 525 horsepower of the cummins diesel engine is redirected from the water jets to the aav's 21"-wide tracks.
in an instant, it has transformed from a landing craft to a land vehicle, capable of racing up the beach to off-load marines.
let's go! let's go! let's go! but the 3-crewed aav is a whole lot more than just a landing vehicle.
the v8 power plant and torsion bar suspension enable the amtrack to tackle any terrain, carrying marines to the fight at up to 45 miles per hour.
and with 171 gallons of diesel on board, aav can range 200 miles inland in support of the troops.
it's 26 tons of amphibious fury.
it can go from the ship, 12 miles out, onto the beach.
it can go on land for up to 200 miles, and then it can go back and withdraw into the water.
you're not gonna see anything like this in the entire world.
narrator: to make the aavs light enough to float, they're armored with aluminum plate instead of heavy steel.
grice: it's specially designed to be armored in a fashion that is light enough so that it doesn't sink but heavy enough that it will provide protection from things like a .
50-caliber machine gun.
narrator: the heaviest-armed fully amphibious combat vehicle on the battlefield, the aav will remain vital to the marine corps for years to come.
it's a time-tested vehicle of death and destruction.
narrator: amtrack's been successfully serving in combat operations since 1972.
carrying troops or cargo on land or sea, aav scores big for versatility.
revolutionary design elements, such as water jets and lightweight armor, earn top marks.
the aav is the world's greatest armored amphibious assault vehicle.
overall, the aav's game-changing land and sea transportation and combat capability earns the number-1 position.
terrain has been a decisive factor since the very beginning of war, and in this countdown, we've analyzed the war machines with the most extreme terrain-busting capabilities on the planet.
from number 10 all the way down to number 2, there are strong contenders, but there's no doubt about the winner, the aav.
the effective terrain on military operations is absolutely critical.
narrator: weapons systems that can handle any terrain put you one step ahead of the enemy.
huston: it would cause them a lot of distress and difficulty because you're still coming.
you just keep coming.
narrator: we're counting down the top 10 all-terrain war machines across every class of weapons system from the harrier jump jet to the fearsome puma and the cutting-edge m3 amphibious rig to find out what delivers ultimate all-terrain mobility.
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS English Sbutitles Collected and Modified By: in any kind of fight, terrain can be decisive.
the enemy always uses the terrain to his advantage.
and you need to be able to counter that advantage.
narrator: to be effective, a weapons system has to be able to handle any battleground, from mountains to desert and frozen tundra.
if it doesn't, you're vulnerable to attack.
it means that you can impose your will on the other side, no matter what the weather, setting, or terrain.
narrator: with the help of military experts we do it all, and we do it all pretty well.
narrator: we're going to count down the top 10 all-terrain weapons systems on the planet.
each machine will be assessed on a balance of service record versatility design ingenuity, and rank within their class to determine our definitive top 10.
coming in at number 10, the most mobile armoured personnel carrier ever built -- the bmp-3 infantry fighting vehicle.
origin -- russia.
cost -- $2.
5 million.
weight -- 19 tons.
length -- 23 feet.
soviet military doctrine is all about massive fast attacks, and that makes all-terrain mobility a number-one priority.
so, the bmp-3 is designed to range up to 370 miles across some of the toughest terrain on the planet.
i'd rate the bmp-3's all-terrain capability as high.
it can handle rough terrain and especially difficult terrain because it's a fully tracked vehicle.
narrator: the 15"-wide tracks ensure that the 19-ton armored killing machine doesn't sink into the mud.
and a high power-to-weight ratio -- 27 brake horsepower per ton -- gives it the grunt power over any obstacle.
it's a very efficient power plant.
so, it moves more efficiently across open ground.
even a barrier like a massive river is no problem for the bmp.
it just dives right in.
when it hits the water, buoyancy chambers keep it afloat, while the 500-horsepower transmash diesel engine drives the tracks forward, propelling the deadly atv at speeds of 6.
2 miles per hour.
it means that rivers are no longer a barrier against your opponent.
it means that this thing can arrive on the battlefield extremely quickly.
[ speaking native language .]
narrator: the bmp's 5 weapons systems are all optimized to be fired on the move, across rough terrain.
three machine guns, a 30-millimeter auto cannon, and even the big 100-millimeter gun can fire without slowing the vehicle.
those things are bristling with weapons and loaded with infantry.
that's an awful lot of firepower on a vehicle that could be speeding towards you at 40 or 50 miles an hour.
narrator: built-in stabilization systems ensure their accuracy, however bad the terrain gets.
man, if you saw one in real life you would take your little toyota and run away from it very quickly.
narrator: extensive deployment scores well, but heavy combat losses affect the service record.
the combination of all-terrain mobility with firepower scores high for versatility.
the amphibious design was groundbreaking in its time.
bmp-3 outperforms western counterparts on rough country.
overall, the bmp-3 scores enough for the number-10 position.
carving a path to the number-9 spot, the most advanced engineering vehicle on the modern battlefield the patria-hmbv.
origin -- finland.
cost -- $5.
5 million.
weight -- 53 tons.
length -- 26 feet.
the most fearsome piece of terrain any army has to cross is a minefield, and that's where the hmbv, or heavy mine breaching vehicle, truly comes into its own.
the vehicle's primary weapon against mines is a 4.
5-foot-high plow held by three hydraulically actuated arms, capable of varying the depth it digs at.
the plow just digs them up and casts them aside.
hazell: if the mine is turned over, then that means it's gonna be rendered useless because if it goes off, then all the explosive force is directed downwards.
narrator: whether the obstacles are manmade or natural, there is no battlefield that can stop the hmbv.
they maintain mobility and speed.
and all of a sudden, terrain that's been denied is opened up.
narrator: the 1,500-horsepower mb 837 turbocharged diesel engine gets it up to 43 miles per hour through any type of terrain.
and despite its 53-ton bulk, the 25"-wide tracks carry it effortlessly over any type of ground.
on hard earth, they grip.
on soft, they distribute the tank's weight to stop it from sinking.
even an obstacle like a 10-ton boulder -- the weight of 5 station wagons -- is no match for the might of the patria.
the 12-foot-wide detachable dozer blade simply shoves it aside.
the hmbv's ability to traverse any terrain and open up the battlefield for other vehicles has a massive impact.
the patria's service record does not include substantial combat deployment.
the hmbv can tackle any terrain or any obstacle and engineering tasks.
the design boasts a host of innovative features.
the patria is up against strong competition in its class.
overall, the hmbv scores enough for the number-9 position.
still to come, the cutting-edge all-terrain vehicles that are breaking new ground on the battlefield.
narrator: counting down the best all-terrain vehicles on the battlefield, at number 8, the combat jet that needs no runway the av-8b harrier ii.
origin -- usa and u.
k.
cost -- $30 million.
weight -- 16 tons.
length -- 46 feet.
the harrier's ability to get airborne in just 250 yards and land in any clearing wider than its own 30-foot wingspan means it can operate in areas that would be totally out of bounds to any ordinary combat jet.
we can operate off of the small-deck classes.
we can operate out of what we call forward-operating bases, which is reduced runway length.
we can operate out of anywhere in the world at anytime, anyplace.
caddick-adams: it's significant it's operated in large numbers by the u.
s.
marine corps.
they want air power, often in strange places that are far away.
and they need the firepower and capability of their jets, but they often don't have a base from which to operate in.
narrator: v/stol -- vertical short takeoff and landing -- is critical to its mission of providing air support to marine corps expeditionary forces deployed far away from conventional air bases.
hoyle: the uniqueness of a harrier is the ability to take off and land vertically.
that's something that, beyond a helicopter, you just cannot do.
narrator: the key to this incredible ability is the rolls-royce pegasus engine.
instead of just blasting gas out the back like a normal jet engine, the pegasus does something called thrust vectoring.
the engine's four exhaust nozzles are movable, capable of rotating through up to 98 degrees to redirect all 23,400 pounds of thrust in any direction.
angling the nozzles down 55 degrees, pegasus gets an av-8b, with a full combat load airborne in just 750 feet.
a harrier gives you the ability to deploy without requiring any kind of airfield at all.
all you need is a flat clearing in a forest or stretch of road, and you're up.
narrator: and as soon as they're up, the pilot points the nozzle straight back, accelerating the harrier to 673 miles per hour.
an amazing by-product of the terrain-busting v/stol ability is that thrust vectoring allows the av-8b to turn with any plane in the sky.
you see them sometimes do their throttle movements in a dogfight, where they just stop.
narrator: as the pilot aims the engine's nozzle straight down, the harrier comes to a halt in midair, hovering like a helicopter.
with a few gentle control inputs, this plane can spin on a dime, fly sideways, backwards, and even straight up.
when you see a jet like that just go up straight, it changes your whole understanding of what planes can do.
it really is amazing.
narrator: rapid deployment from forward bases means the harrier can unleash devastation on opponents who aren't expecting aerial assault.
it is a unique weapon on the battlefield.
narrator: seven hardpoints on the underside carry up to 6.
6 tons of munitions including sidewinder and amraam missiles or jdam and paveway laser-guided bombs for striking ground targets.
the harrier's combination of short takeoff vertical landing and incredible maneuverability is exceptional.
the harrier has performed well in combat since the '80s.
versatility is a strong point for the multi-role aircraft.
the design's only weakness is limited payloads.
the harrier has no direct competitors in its unique role.
overall, the av-8b earns enough for the number-8 position.
coming in at number 7 in the ultimate atv countdown, the fastest obstacle-buster in any modern army the rebs, the rapidly emplaced bridge system.
origin -- germany.
cost $910,000.
weight -- 5 tons.
length -- 45 feet.
in 2007, the u.
s.
army introduced a radical new solution to the age-old problem of crossing obstacles.
the rebs is a rapid equipment bridging system.
it was designed by the united states to be put on the back of all sorts of different kinds of equipment.
narrator: the preferred mount for deploying the rebs is the army's 18-ton heavy expanded mobility tactical truck.
the 445-horsepower, 8-liter detroit diesel engine, coupled with the 8-wheel drive, gives it the ability to deploy the rebs anywhere it needs to be within its range of 300 miles.
the key is, you can deploy it quickly, and it will cross a gap of about 13 to 15 meters.
narrator: the rebs' system has a crew of just two men.
track which cable? but computerized controls and high-pressure hydraulics make assembling this bridge as easy as pressing buttons.
the rebs is a ready-made, instantly deployable bridge.
you don't have to assemble it.
narrator: like a giant transformer, rebs unpacks itself.
telescopic tubes spread the high-tensile aluminum deck.
the 2.
4-ton wedge-shaped sections slide into position, automatically locking them together.
hydraulic pinwheels power the completed 45-foot bridge straight across the abyss.
in under 10 minutes, rebs is down and ready for action.
you simply put it on the back of a piece of equipment, and when you come up to whatever obstacle it is, it's laid.
r-7, retrieval bridge from gap.
narrator: the bridge component itself weighs just over 5 tons, but it's capable of supporting vehicles more than 10 times its own weight.
they're designed so that they can carry 60-ton vehicles.
they're quite impressive.
narrator: the key to this disproportionate strength is the advanced materials used in its construction.
hazell: a typical modern bridge would be made from a particular grade of aluminum alloy, which was designed specifically for strength, for toughness, and for durability.
narrator: that's strong enough to carry almost everything in the u.
s.
army's inventory.
rebs was only introduced in 2007 but has proved mission-critical, maintaining transport links in afghanistan.
the versatile bridge covers everything from bomb craters to canals.
the rebs' compact design and rapid emplacement score for design ingenuity.
there is no comparable system to rival rebs in its class.
rebs' amazing engineering and rapid operation earn it the number-7 spot in our top 10.
coming up, the all-terrain vehicles you just can't stop.
narrator: at number 6 in the atv countdown, europe's rapid-deployment armored fighting vehicle the kto rosomak.
origin -- poland.
cost -- $2.
7 million.
weight -- 24.
3 tons.
length -- 25 feet.
in 2004, the polish army took delivery of its latest all-terrain vehiclethe kto rosomak.
translation -- "wolverine.
" in the 21st century, there's a big debate about the future of the main battle tank because it's so heavy.
and the kto rosomak is an answer to that problem.
narrator: the wolverine can perform multiple roles, from troupe transport to recon, medevac, or infantry assault, all based on one chassis.
unlike other vehicles in its class, it's stripped down to be just 9 feet wide, so it can be carried even on small-transport aircraft.
the point about the rosomak is that it's light.
you can put it in a c-130 hercules and take it anywhere in the world.
narrator: this unique capability meant that more than 30 could be flown at short notice to fight in afghanistan.
caddick-adams: you can soon assemble a meaningful amount of these almost anywhere in the world, and you can do it overnight.
narrator: the 7-1/2-foot-high machine can charge into battle at up to 62 miles per hour.
the rosomak offers high speed and an all-terrain capability, and that means it's capable of operating in almost any environments that modern military planners would consider for an armed force.
narrator: when it hits rough ground, it barely skips a beat, thanks to the 450-horsepower engine that produces 1,500 foot-pounds of torque.
that's 15 times more than a jeep.
the wolverine has fully independent, adjustable double-wishbone suspension on each wheel.
this rugged setup keeps the wheels in contact with the ground, maintaining traction whatever the conditions.
it's very good on rough terrain, and it's also amphibious.
so, that gives it a wide range of environments in which it can operate and feel quite at home.
narrator: the wolverine's 8 wheels spread the 20-ton weight of the vehicle not just for all-terrain capabilities but to reduce the risk of triggering land mines.
as future wars demand more rapid, more distant global deployment, other war machines will follow in the wolverine's wake if they can.
it's this kind of weapons system that we're going to see an awful lot more of in coming decades.
narrator: the wolverine has excelled in operations in afghanistan.
the multi-role vehicle excels for versatility.
the wolverine's design is a simple modification of an existing battle-proven machine.
this wheeled all-terrain vehicle comes top of its class, just.
overall, the wolverine slots into the number-6 position.
at number 5, the world's most combat-proven armored engineering vehicle the puma.
origin -- israel.
cost -- $3 million.
weight -- 50 tons.
length -- 25 feet.
the israel defense force regularly has to contend with some of the most challenging terrain on the planet.
these areas are extremely hostile operating terrain.
narrator: but it's not just desert, rock, and sand that makes this terrain tough.
israel's frontiers are some of the most extensively mined areas on the planet.
the puma is designed fundamentally as a combat engineer vehicle.
its role is to break through enemy defensive systems, be they antitank ditches, be they minefields.
narrator: it's the job of the 9-foot-high puma to carve a path through this hostile ground for other less capable vehicles.
caddick-adams: if you're trying to clear a minefield, the best way to do that is to have some kind of mine-clearing tank that's detonating the mines in front of it.
narrator: the puma's main weapon against mines is the carpet mine-clearing rocket launchers, capable of firing up to 20 missiles with fuel-air explosive warheads to destroy mines.
each rocket then creates a certain amount of pressure on the ground, and that pressure detonates mines, therefore enabling us to go through.
narrator: the puma can clear a path 320 feet long across ground that would be deadly to other vehicles in an armored formation.
dunstan: it is a formidable vehicle.
it is a fundamental support to the main battle tanks and the armored fighting groups.
narrator: the veteran vehicle's chassis has been tricked out with a host of improvements for the modern battlefield, such as new shock absorbers, lightweight tracks, and a 900-horsepower heavy-duty diesel engine, as used on the merkava main battle tank.
dunstan: they have modified it extensively, and it's at the forefront of every operation they conduct against hezbollah, hamas, wherever they may be.
narrator: if the puma comes under fire, smoke grenade launchers create instant cover, with a screen 200 feet wide and 25 feet high.
dunstan: the puma is highly effective.
the idf considered replacing it, but the cost was high, and the fact is, the puma continues to fulfill its role admirably.
narrator: the puma's incredible all-terrain mobility and defensive capability make it the only vehicle to lead the line across the most fiercely contested territory in the world.
the puma has been on the frontline for over 20 years.
the ability to handle a range of threats across every terrain scores for versatility.
the impressive range of mine-clearing tools scores for design ingenuity.
its multi-terrain capabilities leave other vehicles in its wake.
overall, the puma's ability to conquer deadly terrain earns it the number-5 position.
up next, the war machines that open up the 21st-century battleground.
narrator: we're counting down the top military atvs on the planet.
at number 4, one of the most versatile military transport vehicles in combat today the bvs 10 viking.
origin -- sweden.
cost -- $1.
6 million.
weight -- 14 tons.
length -- 27 feet.
the 9-foot-tall, 9-foot-wide viking can be transported by air or sea, ready to ferry 6 tons of troops and equipment into battle.
the 27-foot articulated truck has full amphibious capabilities.
what makes it incredible is the range of ground and terrain that the vehicle can actually cross.
narrator: in water, the 4 24"-wide ridged rubber tracks act like paddlewheels to propel the viking at 3 miles per hour.
on land, the tracks spread its 14-ton weight, exerting 3 pounds of pressure per square inch -- 10 times less than the average car.
it'll cross anything from desert sand to snow.
caddick-adams: the wider the track beams, the lesser the ground pressure, therefore the more difficult terrain it can cope with.
narrator: the low-pressure tracks also provide grip for climbing up slopes no other machine can handle, as steep as 45 degrees.
its 275-horsepower, 6-cylinder, turbo diesel provides the pulling power.
it's a 5.
9-liter cummins engine, which gives a tremendous amount of power-to-weight ratio.
if gravity would allow, there's enough power in this engine that the vehicle could pull itself vertical.
narrator: the viking's articulation is crucial for its all-terrain capability.
when it crests a ridge, hydraulic rams between the units flex, keeping all 620 foot-pounds of torque from all four tracks on the ground.
for steering, the rams point the head where the viking wants to go, and the tracks do the rest.
it can caterpillar, snake, and maneuver itself around, unlike any other vehicle in the world.
narrator: in the rough desert conditions of afghanistan, the viking form the mainstay of the british royal marine's all-terrain capability, with 50 deployed.
it is a battle winner, a war winner.
narrator: these world-beating all-terrain capabilities make the viking a favorite for the troops who take it into combat.
when the bullets are flying around and there is rpgs and things like that, the guys will tell you, when this walks up to pick them and take them away, it's an absolute life-saver.
narrator: the viking has seen extensive and effective action in afghanistan.
its versatility enables it to perform roles from troop transport to heavy hauling.
the viking's design is a remarkable modern evolution of a 50-year-old vehicle.
it's one of the best in its class.
overall, the viking's ability to cross insane terrain, as well as open ocean, wins the number-4 position.
at number 3, the chopper they used to get bin laden in some of the toughest terrain on the planet the uh-60 black hawk.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $21 million.
weight -- 11 tons.
length -- 64 feet.
when the u.
s.
army has to operate in truly harsh territory, they bring in the black hawks.
it provides great mobility in just about any type environment.
it can deliver troops in a large group very quickly on the ground and move.
capps: the only way you can do that in any sort of rough terrain is helicopters.
i think the black hawk has really -- first the huey, now the black hawk, have become the foundation for u.
s.
army tactics.
narrator: the jungles of vietnam taught the u.
s.
army tough lessons about all-terrain mobility.
with no roads for tanks and trucks, the army's huey choppers had to handle massive workloads.
now it's the black hawk that keeps the troops moving when the roads run out.
mcfadden: the uh-60 black hawk is the workhorse of the army's battlefield.
it hauls troops.
it does medevac.
it can do reconnaissance.
it can do electronic intelligence gathering.
it does it all.
it's just so versatile that you can pretty much do anything.
we do it all, and we do it all pretty well.
narrator: the black hawk's capabilities have made it a favorite for special forces, and a version of the helicopter, heavily modified for stealth, delivered the navy seals who finally caught up with osama bin laden.
mcfadden: it's fast.
it can get in and out of an area rapidly, without ever being detected.
it's such an effective and versatile weapon.
narrator: the 7-1/2-foot-wide chopper's ability to operate in all terrains and all conditions has proved decisive in america's most recent conflicts.
the black hawk is a very capable aircraft, used very widely in afghanistan.
when you look at some of the coalition forces that don't have black hawks, one of the recurring themes is "i wish i had a few black hawks.
" narrator: the biggest problem helicopters face in afghanistan is high altitude sapping engine power.
but the black hawk's two 1,900-horsepower general electric turbofans provide enough grunt to stay up in the thin mountain air.
mcfadden: black hawk's a good aircraft because it's strong.
it can go to altitude with a big load in the back of the aircraft.
narrator: that engine power, combined with the lift from the 54-foot diameter titanium composite rotors gives black hawk the ability to carry up to 4.
1 tons of cargo as an under-slung load.
hickey: you can move just about anything with the uh-60 black hawk.
you can move a howitzer and ammunition.
you can move a squad of soldiers.
you could move a pile of plywood if you want.
but what that gives the commander in the field is great versatility.
narrator: the 14-cubic-yard cabin can also be packed with two tons of cargo.
but the black hawk's all-terrain capability comes into its own when it serves as a battle taxi for rapid deployment of 11 fully armed combat troops.
there's no better job in the world than being a uh-60 black hawk pilot in the united states army.
it's awesome.
narrator: the war in afghanistan is a tough test for military equipment, but the black hawk has passed with flying colors.
the black hawk has been instrumental for more than 30 years.
it's exceptionally versatile, performing every role from transport to recon and airborne assault.
the design is simple, effective, and adaptable.
it's the world's leading utility chopper.
overall, the black hawk's game-changing ability to conquer every conceivable battlefield terrain wins the number-3 position.
still to come the best of the best in the ultimate atv countdown.
narrator: claiming the runner-up position in the ultimate atv countdown, the most advanced combat bridging system in the world the m3 amphibious rig.
origin -- germany.
cost -- $3 million.
weight -- 26 tons.
length -- 42 feet.
the m3 mobile bridging system has a 400-horsepower turbo diesel engine, automatic transmission, and 4-wheel drive, enabling it to tackle tough terrain at speeds up to 50 miles per hour.
armies have always needed a capability to get over a river.
narrator: most military bridging vehicles take time to deploy their bridge.
the 13-foot-high m3 is the bridge.
caddick-adams: what the m3 bridging rig is designed to do is to drive straight in to a river, provide a floating platform that can ferry even a main battle tank across a river as wide as the rhine.
narrator: at the touch of a button, massive 41-foot-long aluminum pontoons fold down and lock into position.
these giant air-filled tanks provide enough buoyancy to keep the m3 afloat, even carrying loads up to 132 tons.
the m3 is a transformer, but it's real.
so, it's a quick and easy solution to an age-old problem.
narrator: the m3's 5-foot-high wheels provide no traction in the water.
so, as it approaches a river, the axles retract to make room for the two water jets to go to work.
the high-pressure jets are gimbal-mounted so they can rotate through 360 degrees, allowing the driver to steer the rig in any direction at 9 miles per hour.
with the m3, it can get across land quickly.
it can get into the water quickly and across the water quickly.
narrator: when the m3 is faced with truly massive loads, it can join forces with one of its fellows.
heavy steel deck plates are craned into position and 1.
7"-thick bolts connect the rigs together to form a giant super-ferry, capable of carrying enormous weight.
caddick-adams: the u.
s.
marine corps -- when it needed the capability to cross the tigris or the euphrates in iraq, the only instant bridging capability around was that of the m3 bridging rig.
narrator: but sometimes, acting as a highly mobile amphibious ferry just isn't enough.
to provide a solid link across a huge river, the m3 links with 7 other rigs, forming a fixed bridge capable of spanning gaps 110 yards across.
the exit! the simple modular assembly system means the whole bridge can go up in 10 minutes.
people think that it takes days, weeks, or months to build a bridge, but with the m3, the soldiers can do it within minutes.
narrator: this bridge is strong enough to support multiple tanks and trucks or even a battalion of troops in full combat gear.
at the end of the day, the m3 did the job perfectly.
narrator: when it's time to go, the rigs simply unlock and leave, using their incredible all-terrain mobility to keep pace with armored formations.
the m3 has provided valuable service in iraq.
the ability to switch from bridge to ferry scores for versatility.
the modular bridge assembly scores for ingenuity.
it's the world's foremost combat bridging system.
despite the high scores, the m3 just gets the runner-up position.
no matter what kind of fight you're in, getting to the battle is critical.
and if your hardware can't handle the battleground you're not going to win.
when you factor in all the key elements, one war machine's extraordinary terrain-busting abilities put it ahead of the rest of the pack.
at number 1, the most battle-proven atv on the planet, the u.
s.
marine corps' aav.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $3.
5 million.
weight -- 29 tons.
length -- 26 feet.
the 11-foot-high aav is the most important ground vehicle in the u.
s.
marine corps inventory.
a fleet of aavs can deploy over 1,000 marines en masse, from the u.
s.
navy's colossal $750 million wasp amphibious assault ships.
up to 52 of the 10-foot-wide amtracks can be harbored within the wasp's well decks at a time.
and when the stern ramp comes down, the incredible aavs launch straight into the ocean as fully capable landing craft, able to deliver troops up to 12 nautical miles away.
in water, the aav is powered by twin water jets, pumping 28,000 gallons of ocean per minute.
6,000 pounds of thrust drives the amphibian through the sea at over 7 knots.
going ashore in an amtrack is a very interesting experience.
you don't stay dry, you don't move fast, and you rock around a lot.
narrator: the streamlined shape is also optimized for stability at sea, and the low center of gravity allows the amtrack to handle anything up to 12-foot waves and 25-knot winds.
as it approaches the littoral penetration point, amtrack injects diesel fuel directly into the exhaust to provide an instant protective smoke screen.
grice: once you get into the enemy's backdoor, it's nice to have that type of a capability with you.
narrator: when it hits the beach, the aav reveals its truly world-class all-terrain capabilities.
all 525 horsepower of the cummins diesel engine is redirected from the water jets to the aav's 21"-wide tracks.
in an instant, it has transformed from a landing craft to a land vehicle, capable of racing up the beach to off-load marines.
let's go! let's go! let's go! but the 3-crewed aav is a whole lot more than just a landing vehicle.
the v8 power plant and torsion bar suspension enable the amtrack to tackle any terrain, carrying marines to the fight at up to 45 miles per hour.
and with 171 gallons of diesel on board, aav can range 200 miles inland in support of the troops.
it's 26 tons of amphibious fury.
it can go from the ship, 12 miles out, onto the beach.
it can go on land for up to 200 miles, and then it can go back and withdraw into the water.
you're not gonna see anything like this in the entire world.
narrator: to make the aavs light enough to float, they're armored with aluminum plate instead of heavy steel.
grice: it's specially designed to be armored in a fashion that is light enough so that it doesn't sink but heavy enough that it will provide protection from things like a .
50-caliber machine gun.
narrator: the heaviest-armed fully amphibious combat vehicle on the battlefield, the aav will remain vital to the marine corps for years to come.
it's a time-tested vehicle of death and destruction.
narrator: amtrack's been successfully serving in combat operations since 1972.
carrying troops or cargo on land or sea, aav scores big for versatility.
revolutionary design elements, such as water jets and lightweight armor, earn top marks.
the aav is the world's greatest armored amphibious assault vehicle.
overall, the aav's game-changing land and sea transportation and combat capability earns the number-1 position.
terrain has been a decisive factor since the very beginning of war, and in this countdown, we've analyzed the war machines with the most extreme terrain-busting capabilities on the planet.
from number 10 all the way down to number 2, there are strong contenders, but there's no doubt about the winner, the aav.