Special Forces Testing Electric Motos

[advrider]

Electric motorcycles are making their way into the public’s consciousness.  They are becoming more capable, and this fact is not going unnoticed. Now, military forces are considering electric motorcycles as a means to complete special operations missions.  And you’ve got to admit; they do have certain capabilities that could make clandestine missions easier.

For example, during the Dubai Airshow 2021, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Special Operations Command showed one potential application for electric motorcycles.  To demonstrate, the military unit showed off a Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter outfitted with what appear to be Zero FX electric motorcycles mounted to each side of the bird.

In its civilian form, the Zero FX ZF7.2 is Zero’s most “off-road” capable motorcycle.  Its range is approximately 91 city miles and offers a top speed of 85 mph. In addition, it can be recharged in 1.3 hours with accessory chargers.

The civilian version of Zero’s FX electric motorcycle.  Photo credit: Zero Motorcycles

Special operations missions

With this capability, special operations helicopters can stealthily land further from the mission’s primary objective.  Once on the ground, military personnel can dismount the machines and quickly ride off with more than the usual loads.

The electric bikes are quieter than their gas-powered counterparts, and riding to the mission objective will help troops arrive faster and fresher than if they had to hike in on foot.  This is particularly true since one of the most common missions is basic reconnaissance.  A quiet electric motorcycle could make it easier to insert, observe, and exit without contacting enemy forces.

According to Electrek, a representative for the UAE’s SOCOM said that the setup is undergoing evaluation trials.  At test is the ability to insert a pair of soldiers for reconnaissance missions and quickly dismount the electric motorcycles.  After the mission is complete, the operators meet the helicopter at an extraction point.  Then, they will reattach the bikes to the aircraft and exit. If testing is successful, you can likely expect to see them in military use.

Vezi sursa