Canadian Military Developing Stealth Snowmobile 187
innocent_white_lamb writes "The Canadian military is currently testing a $620,000 hybrid-electric stealth snowmobile. Testing includes speed, towing capacity, endurance, mobility, usability, and of course, noise emissions. The testing and most other information about the stealth snowmobile is secret and very little information has been released other than the fact that it does exist. One document reads 'The noise level of an internal combustion engine cannot be reduced to an acceptable level for missions where covertness may be required, especially given the increased propagation of sound in cold, dry, Arctic air.' Therefore, National Defence's research agency is 'pursuing the development of a "silent" snowmobile for winter operations in Canada, specifically in the Arctic.' Michael Byers, an Arctic policy expert, questions the need for a stealth snowmobile. 'I don't see a whole lot of evidence that criminals and terrorists are scooting around Canada's North on snowmobiles and that we have to sneak up on them,' he said."
"Expert" ? (Score:5, Insightful)
Michael Byers, an Arctic policy expert, questions the need for a stealth snowmobile. 'I don't see a whole lot of evidence that criminals and terrorists are scooting around Canada's North on snowmobiles and that we have to sneak up on them,'
Then Michael Byers is not quite the expert: when the ice cap in the North Pole shrinks or disappears completely, [wikipedia.org] a whole new theater will come into play. Claims have already been filed for integration of the North Arctic Ocean into their exclusive economic zones from several countries, including Canada. [wikipedia.org]
Re:Stealth schmealth (Score:4, Insightful)
Stealth moose already exist. And they can be more effective at taking out an unsuspecting vehicle than a Predator drone...
Re:I'm all for it (Score:3, Insightful)
I hope they do decide against the F-35 contract. It's ridiculously overpriced for our military, especially given that the F-35s aren't even all that well designed for frozen-weather operations.
Personally, I think Boeing's Super Hornets are a much better offer [www.cbc.ca]. Half the projected price, bigger control surfaces for easier landings on ice and better agility in the air, and two engines so that if one stalls in the cold the other can keep the plane going.
Re:"Expert" ? (Score:5, Insightful)
It's not about a war. It's about establishing sovereignty, and to maintain control over a territory you need to be police it.
The northwest passage is a big issue over whether it's international waters or Canadian waters. Not just because of potential oil drilling or fishing, but shipping is a big issue. It's a lot easier to ensure the shipping is done safely so a ton of oil isn't dumped on our coastline if we can police the waters. Security is also a concern as there's a lot of unpopulated places for smugglers to drop cargo or illegal immigrants.
A military grade stealth snowmobile is part of the bigger picture, it makes it easier to patrol the territory and search for smugglers or other criminals as well as shows we're taking that part of our territory seriously.