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Chenowth Scorpion DPV (Desert Patrol Vehicle)

1987 COLD WAR MODERN

History of the Chenowth Scorpion DPV (Desert Patrol Vehicle)

The Scorpion DPV (Desert Patrol Vehicle) is a three-person road/off-road vehicle used for many long-range operations in the desert, including close air support or combat search and rescue missions. Originally designated as an FAV (Fast Attack Vehicle), the DPV is in service with the U.S.

Navy SEALs as part of Operation Desert Storm and is currently serving on the front lines of the Iraq War and Afghanistan. The concept of the FAV in combat dates back to World War II, when the British Army used specially adapted "JEEPS" to track the movements, positions and activities of German forces in the Egyptian campaign.

These systems belong to the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG), whose primary mission is reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.

The Desert Patrol Vehicle (DPV) uses an improved structural frame from the base off-road vehicle. The suspension consists of two front shock absorbers and four rear shock absorbers. The suspension is primarily controlled by a position-sensitive "trailing arm" system. The DPV is actually a 2x4 SUV, although it's designed to go anywhere a 4x4 drives naturally. Power comes from a Volkswagen 2-liter, 200-horsepower, air-cooled engine, capable of speeds in excess of 60 mph and a range of 210 miles.

Fuel bladders can be used to increase the range as the range increases by another 1,000 miles. Developed in the 1980s with a lucrative budget, the DPV (then FAV) produced around 120 cars and military motorcycles for use by special forces.

Vehicles can be equipped with a variety of mission-specific weapons, including Browning. 50 caliber heavy machine gun, 40mm Mark 19 automatic grenade launcher and M60. 30 caliber general purpose machine gun. Ammo racks depend on the mission.

Additionally, the personal weapons carried by the crew become part of the lethality that defines the DPV. The total payload of the DPV is 1,500 pounds.

DPV was first introduced to American home audiences in 1991 at the TV Liberation in Kuwait City. Members of the Navy SEALs appear at DPV on the streets of Kuwait wearing traditional Bedouin headdresses.

DPVs can maneuver through deserts and city streets with relative ease, staying one step ahead of regular forces while keeping a close eye on Iraqi armored formations, fields, and defensive positions.

DPV weapon systems are useful in special forces as combat reconnaissance and reconnaissance vehicles. Other mission roles include target acquisition, surveillance, peacekeeping, and deep assault. DPV/FAV was largely replaced by LSV - Light Strike Vehicle.