Husky TSV Armored Vehicle

The Husky Tactical Support Vehicle (TSV) is one of the newest additions to the British Armed Forces fleet of high mobility vehicles developed for the campaign in Afghanistan. 

Based on the American International MXT line of large pickup trucks the Husky is a heavily modified military version of this beast;

The British army has ordered a fleet of 325 vehicles which came into service in 2006.

The Husky features a very high degree of protection against IED's and is used in Afghanistan to supply food, water and other supplies to forward operating bases (FOB's) and other forward units.

The husky is also used for patrols and convoy escort duties. Most are equipped with a gunner positions with an L7A1 general purpose machine gun mounted on the roof.

The Husky has excellent off road maneuverability with a Navistar VT engine. This superb 325 horsepower, 6 Liter Diesel, V8 engine is also used in the Ford F series of super duty trucks. This allows the husky to reach up to 70 Mph given that it weighs 8.5 tons this is pretty impressive! 

With a length of 6.4 meters, height of 2.5 meters and a width of 2.4 meters. It may be more at home on the huge roads of North America than the small country roads of England! 

Given its excellent cross country mobility however its size it a great asset in operations like Afghanistan, the large cargo area at the rear allows for transporting up to 3,700lbs of gear and supplies.

At a price tag of 600,000 British pounds (~C$1,150,000) per vehicle and a lack of v-shaped hull for protection it is a controversial project for the British Armed Forces. It is however loved by its crews and its armor has saved many lives on operations.

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There is even a recovery version of the Husky now in service, see the above BFBS video for more info on its features and role.