Deuce sighting (well, sort of)... - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

54reo · 05-30-2008, 01:41

I didn't quite know where to put this. Perhaps we need a forum category for Military Construction Equipment.

Saw this on I-70 in mid Missouri on Wednesday, and had to get some shots.

Quote:

From the CAT website:

Caterpillar has designed and manufactured a new high speed dozer for the U.S. Army, the Deployable Universal Combat Earthmover, or DEUCE. These machines perform typical engineering missions, such as vehicle/crew fighting positions, force protection for command posts, artillery and logistics, and disaster relief such as floods.

The DEUCE features Caterpillar's Mobil-trac System (MTS) rubber belted undercarriage for on-road and off-road mobility and floatation. The DEUCE is a 35,500 lb (16,140 kg) earthmover capable of on-highway speeds of over 30 mph. The hydro-pneumatic suspension can be engaged for cross-country traverses or locked out to provide a stable dozing platform. Two modes of operation â€” self-deployable for high-speed travel, and earthmoving for dozing â€” are designed to provide optimum performance for mission flexibility.

The DEUCE can be prepared for airdrop by two mechanics in less than 20 minutes, and can be reassembled in less than 30 minutes. C130 Drive-on/Drive-off preparation takes less than ten minutes to collapse the front suspension cylinders to lower overall height. Maintainability is a built-in feature of the DEUCE, as accessibility to filters, batteries and fluid sight gauges is easily accomplished.

Interesting piece of paper on the right side of the windscreen said "Army Sustainment Command, Left Behind Equipment Program". Whatever that means.

Also noticed the old style "cats-eye" taillights, but this thing had a build date of 2000.