Feature: Military


Whereas currently we are seeing military vehicles re-purposed to deal with domestic extreme weather events like hurricanes and flooding, in the future military vehicles will likely be designed from the outset to face this multi-purpose role


Climate resilience Te idea that extreme weather can impact the performance of military equipment is nothing new. In the Afghanistan conflict, there were several examples of military hardware struggling to cope with the intense heat, from helicopters to military vehicles. For example, the UK’s Force Protection Ocelot, also known as the Foxhound, was reported as having struggled to cope with the searing temperatures. What is new is a recognition that, as a


result of climate change, the military will have to plan for a world where harsher climates and extreme temperatures are increasingly common. A recent report by the RAND Corporation, commissioned by the UK Ministry of Defence, noted the need for climate-resilient equipment. Te report noted that personnel


and equipment will have to operate in “climate-degraded conditions” more frequently and stated that “climate- related changes in different operating environments are likely to increase the need for equipment to have resilience or be designed to enable efficient adaptation to environmental extremes”. Among the report’s recommendations was the proposal that defence acquisition bodies mandate the inclusion of climate-resistant design features in the future. Climate-resilient vehicle design is


being advocated not simply to respond to a more threatening environment, but also to take advantage of new strategic opportunities. For example, rising temperatures are making the Artic region more accessible and leading to


its emergence as a new area of strategic focus. Vehicles equipped to deal with this extreme environment, such as the Oshkosh Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV), will see increasing demand. Te components that are developed for these vehicles must also undergo more extensive testing to ensure they can endure increased demands.


Disaster relief Te growing frequency of extreme weather events will also likely see the military deployed in response to environmental disasters, both domestically and overseas. Whilst extreme weather might have historically been seen as outside the remit of military actors, policy makers are now conceptualising extreme weather events as threats to security, and military assistance is being increasingly required as part of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. For example, in response to Typhoon


Haiyan in 2013, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded, the UK deployed two Royal Navy ships, eleven military aircraſt and eighteen other vehicles as part of a DFID-led response. However, it is not only in tropical


regions that the need to respond to extreme weather is growing. In July 2021, flooding in Europe led to 243 deaths and over 200,000 properties leſt without power. Te consensus among the majority


of scientists is that events like these are linked to climate change, so military planners are already gearing up for


a world where increased flooding is something the military will be required to respond to. For example, in the RAND study cited earlier, flooding is referred to as one of the major threats facing the UK in the next few years. In the US, the procurement of military


vehicles to assist with disaster relief is already more advanced. Under the Pentagon’s 1033 Program, local law enforcement are procuring surplus military vehicles to respond to disaster-related emergencies such as storms, blizzards and floods. Although the program dates back to 1996, Congress has recently instructed the Pentagon to give the highest priority to applications and requests related to emergency preparedness, for example high-water rescue vehicles.


Valuable asset Given the kind of climate-related disasters that Western countries will have to respond to, vehicles that offer the flexibility to perform multiple roles will be especially valuable. Whereas currently we are seeing military vehicles re-purposed to deal with domestic extreme weather events like hurricanes and flooding, in the future military vehicles will likely be designed from the outset to face this multi-purpose role. For example, components like the bevel box will require the highest levels of ingress protection to ensure the vehicle is fit for driving through flood water. Te threat of climate change is high on


the agenda of military planners and has implications at the strategic, tactical and operational level. While the important goal of decarbonisation will take precedence for many, the military also needs to ensure the next generation of vehicles are adapted to an ever-changing environment. Military vehicle design is likely to


reflect this imperative, with vehicles that are engineered for inhospitable climactic conditions and designed for disaster relief, as well as more traditional military tasks. Working with a parts supplier like Pailton Engineering will ensure that these vehicle’s components are designed and tested for the harshest environments and can provide the climate resilience that will be essential in the battlefields of the future.


www.electronicsworld.co.uk May 2024 43


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