Royal Marines Teach USMC on their Over Snow Vehicle of Choice MOD 45163855

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Royal Marines from Bovington based Viking Squadron were training members of the USMC on the Viking All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) as part of Project ODIN. This project has seen members of 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines initially conducting driver training in the UK and then in Norway with the Royal Marine specialists.

The USMC were developing their cold weather warfare capability and required protected mobility that can thrive in the harsh arctic conditions; Viking is the vehicle of choice. Capable of traversing undulating deep snow, steep slopes and swimming in water, the ATV can also be mounted with a Heavy Machine Gun and has organic white phosphorous smoke. This makes it a formidable but manoeuvrable platform. With the ability to transport 10 fighting troops and 2 crew per vehicle, the tracked vehicles can deliver men to the battlefield fit to fight.

Viking Armoured Vehicles provide protected battlefield mobility for the Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade. Designed for amphibious operations they have the ability to 'swim' when required, either to land troops ashore, or to cross obstacles like rivers and lakes.

The Viking has the ability to move rapidly across the majority of terrain to outmanoeuvre the enemy. Although the primary role of the Viking is in protected mobility for the Royal Marines, it is also often used in battlefield reconnaissance, fire support and as a command platform.

• Organization: Royal Navy
• Object Name: SH180001162
• Category: MOD
• Supplemental Categories: Viking, Patrol, Vehicles, Equipment, Exercises, Operations, NATO, Foreign Personnel, Training, Royal Marines, People
• Keywords: Ice, Arctic, Training, USMC, Ex Cold Enabler, Norway, Bardufoss, Winter, Viking, Demonstrations, Snow, 3 Commando Brigade, Project Odin, Equipment, Vehicle, Combat Vehicles, Protected Patrol Vehicle, Viking BVS10, Tracked, Amphibious vehicle, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Vehicles, Viking(BvS10)
• Country: Norway