INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: All Terrain Vehicle (ATV Corp.)
.jpg)
Q: Let’s start with a little background on the company and what it does.
A: This division [ATV Corp.] designs and builds commercial off-the-shelf light tactical all-terrain vehicles [LTATVs] to the completed state of spiral development, configured for the military, the Department of Homeland Security and emergency response applications.
These vehicles—our Prowler product line—range in configuration from very long-range, high-speed reconnaissance scouts and platforms equipped with special mission equipment for ISR, assault, commo and SAR to multi-crewmember transport and logistic support. Prowlers have also been user configured for explosive ordnance disposal and chemical, biological and radiological decontamination.
These Prowler platforms have been shipping worldwide since their introduction in 2002.
Q: With other ATVs on the market, what are the characteristics of the Prowler that make it different from the pack and stand out?
A: The Prowler LTATV platform stands above all others in its category because it is the only LTATV that is purpose built to field operating requirements. It is not simply a modified recreational vehicle.
Further, the signature Prowler LTATV design and construction concept is unique in that it anticipates and provides for the incorporation of additional capabilities and SOF peculiar requirements as they are determined.
A significant example of this concept in action was the delivery—in response to a recent USSOCOM LTATV solicitation—of a Prowler configuration for test and evaluation that was the only vehicle able to meet all of the go/no-go primary requirements of that solicitation. Here, only the Prowler was able to be backed into and driven out of a CV-22 at PAX [Patuxent] River without any modification or disassembly. Actually, two Prowlers may be transported as single cargo in that aircraft.
Q: How would you describe your market position?
A: The Prowler product line is recognized in its market sector as being without any realistic comparison in its range of LTATV platforms for many reasons, the primary one we just talked about.
Q: Have you considered putting a diesel engine in the Prowler?
A: Actually, we have a diesel fuel injection engine up and running and, hopefully, we will be able to have things all ironed out for production by the May- June time frame.
The major challenge we had to face was simply resource allocation since the entire effort has been self-funded—as has been everything in the Prowler program with never a penny of government support.
Q: How much of your design and production do you handle in-house?
A: All Prowler LTATV design, development and production takes place at our El Cajon, Calif., facility.
Q: Doing business with the military can be challenging. What kind of success have you had to date with the Prowler?
A: To date, the procurement of Prowler platforms by the U.S. military has been less than originally planned for. We anticipate, however, that the increasing incidence and extent of requirements placed upon the military by non-traditional and irregular warfare and countering insurgency will measurably increase its market demand.
Q: As that expected market demand increases, how are you prepared to meet their needs?
A: We are well prepared to respond quickly and effectively to military requirements and demands as they are presented. This position is based upon the fact that we have established and maintained active lines of communications with operators in the field. This practice allows us to anticipate and meet both current and new requirements.
In addition to our ISO certified manufacturing resources, we have an on-going self-funded—as has been 100 percent of all of our LTATV effort— program of both internal product development and the test and evaluation of related industry new product introductions. ♦