Here's the latest and possibly greatest use of a Duramax as a powerplant for any vehicle:

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I just completed filming some commercials for a Discovery Channel show up in Maine on Friday with the twin brother team who invented and constructed this beast. Great guys and a killer application for a LBZ and Allison 1000 package. The Ripsaw can be operated by an onboard driver or remotely controlled while on the move from another vehicle.

They run this on straight No.2 with a PPE and develop 650 horsepower and 1,000 lb ft of torque.

This vehicle can be checked out on YouTube by searching for "ripsaw."

You can see my commercials starting Tuesday night on Discovery during "Dirty Jobs." The show we are promoting starts airing in January.

that is wicked i have seen that before

I seen this before and that thing is awesome!!

Bad ass

Glad to see they updated the engine :)

all I can say is oh yea!!...the applications are many and varied.
very cool.
stk

how much and i want one in black

I remember seeing a version of this thing with a big block chevy. Diesel power makes that much better!! I think I need one!

Gents--

The Ripsaw MS-2 comes in black and costs around $760,000 each.

Best part is the modular construction that allows rapid component replacement in the field with basic tools and minimal support.

You all can check out the Howe brothers at their website: www.howeandhowe.com

The show premieres on Discovery on Tuesday, January 5th at 10PM EST.

Keep your eyes peeled for my commercials which feature the lads and the Ripsaw outdoors moving in slow motion, as well as some interior shop "portraits" of the guys and other machines.

Moved to conversions/ alternate duramax applications forum.

that is one amazeing machine

Why wasn't this used in transformer's 2. All the other GM vehicles where used, what a great demo for the use of a LBZ.

During production of "Transformers:2", the Ripsaw MS-2 was under review by DARPA and DOD.

Now that many more people have been exposed to H&H Tech's machines, I am sure that more folks in Hollywood will take note and find a way to include the Ripsaw in a storyline somehow.

Just try and talk Mike and Geoff Howe into "releasing" their toy for use by someone else for a "rental!"

I know these guys personally and they have built some wicked stuff its just crazy it is a dream job to so many. Can't wait to see their show.

cool!! Cant wait to see the commercials...

ben

I agree that thing could do some major damage I want to see it!!!!

I use to work with Mike in Eliot. We also rode sleds and fourwheelers with friends. I remember hanging out one day at the Rochester Fairgrounds with the original Ripsaw during a sand drag event. It's amazing what they have accomplished

That thing is awesome.

I saw, I believe on-line, where they had this set up as a UGV. This may be interesting as a remote scouting vehicle, but I am not sure that it is as nearly practical as a UAV.

Cool? Definitely!

But after you add 6-10 tons of armor to make it bad-guy-resistant, it's a whole other animal. Even with extreme angulation of the armor panels, and the use of composites.

Where I think that this type of vehicle could be modified and prove to be quite useful, is in the realm of forrest fire fighting. In getting the folks in and out, over all types of terrain, and at impressive speeds.

Unfortunately, there's no money in most non-DOD projects.

i would like to see these as a UGV in a perimeter security functionperfect for remote outposts in mountainous, rough areas that we occupy currently

i would like to see these as a UGV in a perimeter security functionperfect for remote outposts in mountainous, rough areas that we occupy currently

Not to down play what these guys have created, which is amazing. But wouldn't a UAV work better in mountainous areas?

I have taken taken tanks, specifically the Abrams through the hills and valleys of Ft. Irwin, and albeit it is a very capable machine in it's own right, but even it has it's limitations in this type of terrain.

The UAV's of today, have the endurance, loiter, strike, stealth, and sensing ability that far exceed anything that could be put on the ground.

On the other hand, UGV's could provide an advantage for route clearance/ security, and IED detection/neutralization.

i could be wrong, but i would assume that UAV's would be a lot more expensive. there is a certian level of intimidation that these type of platforms present to an attacker as well, not to mention an increased payload capacity. after seeing what the earlier prototype was capable of on the ground, i dont think this would have any of the same issues as an Abrahms or any other tracked vehicle currently used by our military. the downfalls i see worth considering though is transporting to-from mission and production capacity.

I would think that cost-to-area-coverage cost's would be negligible. ($ per sq.km)

Sure this could take punch to the enemy, but they have to be found first. And even with it's compact size, they are still pretty big to just go out and park in the middle of the hills without drawing attention by the locals.

The earlier prototypes that I have seen via the web, also don't show the final armor package. What was demonstrated as a UGV had what appeared to be a 1/4" underbelly plate, and 1/16th" topsides. Just as soon as full testing commences one of the things that is going to become apparent, is that to make this thing survivable, you're going to add weight.

And I think that you would be impressed to see what the Abrams is capable. 60 tons, 1500 hp, 42 mph governed speed, but I have had a couple that would do 55+mph.

abrahms are beasts for sure, but stuck out in the remote areas of afghaniland, you definately need something light, and as fuel efficent as possible. convoys are getting taken out left and right, resupply by air is costing upwards of $400 per gallon or more. maybe this is the needed link for a joint recon or defense system with UAV's. plus sides and negatives almost cancel each others out

abrahms are beasts for sure, but stuck out in the remote areas of afghaniland, you definately need something light, and as fuel efficent as possible. convoys are getting taken out left and right, resupply by air is costing upwards of $400 per gallon or more. maybe this is the needed link for a joint recon or defense system with UAV's. plus sides and negatives almost cancel each others out

Oh I completely agree with the autonomous or semi-autonomous supply train. That only makes sense to remove the humans from the risk.

I could even see these used for the engineers with magnetometer packages and ground penetrating sonar arrays built into this platform. Using the UAV's to provide eye's forward and to the side, and fire support. The UAV's could even provide the satellite uplink for the UGV control.

It's certainly a leap forward from the PRC-77's, 110's, of my time.

by making it remote control(UGV), you don't need armor plate, just deflective armor, similar to bar armor, V bottom, similar to what british did in northern ireland, direct blast thru open non-vital areas. from most video i've seen of fighting in iraq and afganistan, normally the JA's pull back to an exit point, if you had something like this they could be quickly outflanked. think about using engine similar to SCAT VW flat 4 converted to TDI components and viscous coupler to combine power, similar to what is done with CH-46/47 helicopters. special ops had chenowith sandrails they used during desert shield/storm, wound up with birdcage ontop that killed low silluotte and slowed down from original intention but did good job then. the main thing they need to do is relocate the control station from big slowmoving target. shame that military don't get equipment to test in theater that is is needed in. if they want onboard control, setup laydown position on top, not seat inside.

Remember that the Ripsaw MS-2 was designed and built as a modular assembly machine. That means it could have different versions combined from common assembly points.

No one machine is going to work in all situations except a pair of boots.

Given the speed and remote control capability, this machine will save lives in many applications. Again, this is a mobile machine, not something you would park in a choke point.

I guess there are other technologies at play here, that I am not aware of. Traveling at speed, and trying to detect the enemy, while remaining relatively undetected, is quite a challenge. Especially at the modern warfare stand off distances. Which don't seem to be at play in Afghanistan.

I want one, so i can shut the crazy lady up the road up finly haha

I think it needs a cherry on top, like a 7.62mm minigun.

Awesome vehicle. I also see uses for it that a UAV cannot fill, such as a remote gun platform, entering into buildings such as wear houses, which UAV's cannot do.