Desert Patrol Vehicle

The Desert Patrol Vehicle incorporates designs developed for the world's most grueling off-road competitions and proven in the crucible of combat. The LSV employs either an M2.50 caliber machine gun or a MK19 grenade launcher as the main armament, with 2 light machine guns, one each fore and aft. Powered by a high performance engine, its dash speed and superior off-road mobility are the principal factors in its lethality and survivability.

SEAL'S, Departing from Kandahar Airport, January 21, 2002

The first U.S. forces to enter Kuwait City the day it was liberated rolled in on the same high-performance machines that win prestigious off-road races such as the Baja 1000.

Under eerie skies darkened by smoke from burning oil fields, the desert racers, painted black and equipped with guns, climbed over roadblocks and scaled 8-foot-high berms to penetrate the ravaged emirate.

Because the hastly constructed obstacles could not hold back the off-road vehicles, the SEALs were able to go where they wanted to and avoid traps left by fleeing Iraqi troops. One Kuwaiti citizen dubbed the vehicles the “Ninja cars”.

The vehicles, called Desert Patrol Vehicles, or DPV's, raced ahead of U.S. troops to scout out territory, and darted behind enemy lines to assess the size and position of enemy forces.

Physical Characteristics