The U.S. Army transformed a Kawasaki Teryx 750 into a prototype Mobile Command Post designed to support Soldiers operating away from a traditional command center. The project combined ideas submitted through the Army’s CoCreate community with hands-on development by Soldiers and engineers at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Originally proposed by CoCreate community member ProPatria as the “Squad Mission Equipment Transport,” the concept was selected for development in late 2013. The goal was to determine whether a compact, highly mobile side-by-side could carry communications, intelligence and situational-awareness equipment while retaining the off-road capability needed to accompany dismounted units.
From Online Concept to Working Prototype
The project began with an online collaborative design process followed by two Army make-a-thon events. The first, held December 9–13, 2013, focused on Soldier requirements, design concepts and initial prototyping. A second event in January 2014 refined the design and produced a functional vehicle.
According to the Army’s subsequent report, the Mobile Command Post was developed in approximately 25 working days. The rapid process allowed Soldiers to work directly with engineers, evaluate ideas as they were incorporated and make changes without waiting for a conventional, lengthy development cycle.
The finished prototype demonstrated how a commercially available Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 could be adapted into a compact command-and-control platform. The Army described the project as an experiment in collaborative design rather than a production vehicle program.
Mobile Command Post Requirements
The original concept called for a vehicle capable of supporting platoon- and company-sized elements of approximately 30 to 150 Soldiers. Equipment carried by the Teryx could support communications, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and battlefield situational awareness.
Key design requirements included:
- Off-road mobility: Added equipment could not significantly reduce the Teryx’s ability to travel over difficult terrain.
- Controlled weight: Designers had to balance equipment capacity against the vehicle’s payload and handling limits.
- Driver visibility: Communications equipment and storage could not obstruct the driver’s view.
- Modular equipment: Components needed a plug-and-play arrangement so the vehicle could be configured for different missions.
- Silent operation: Onboard electronics were expected to operate without the engine running for a target of four hours, with eight or more hours considered desirable.
- Transportability: The vehicle needed to remain compact enough for transport by helicopter or ground vehicle, with possible air-drop capability also considered.
Why the Kawasaki Teryx Worked
The original two-seat Teryx combined a short wheelbase, four-wheel drive and a rear cargo bed in a relatively compact platform. Those characteristics made it a practical starting point for a vehicle intended to travel with dismounted Soldiers while carrying electronics, power systems and mission equipment.
Designers were encouraged to use custom brackets, protective enclosures and removable equipment installations rather than make extensive changes to the Teryx frame or powertrain. Upgraded suspension and electrical output could be considered if the additional equipment exceeded the capabilities of the stock vehicle.
The cargo area could also be expanded or supplemented with a trailer, provided the modifications did not compromise the vehicle’s mobility.
An Early Experiment in Rapid Military Vehicle Development
The Mobile Command Post was more than an unusual Kawasaki Teryx build. It served as a proof of concept for involving Soldiers directly in a fast, collaborative design process. Instead of developing a vehicle solely from written requirements, the team built and evaluated a working prototype while its intended users helped guide the project.
The Army published a follow-up detailing the completed vehicle in January 2014. Read the official report: REF, CDID use collaborative process to design prototype.
For more background on the vehicle used as the foundation, see our 2010 Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 overview and our 2010 Kawasaki Teryx press introduction and test ride.
