DARPA, the scientific and engineering development arm of the Pentagon is testing a new motorcycle prototype that supposedly emits less noise than average human conversation. It runs on an hybrid engine – normal mode that can use gasoline, diesel, jet fuel or even cooking oil and an electrical mode for silent runs in stealth required missions. The goal by DARPA is to reach 55 decibels or below for the stealth mode. Currently the bike is generating around 75 decibels (slightly louder than you average vacuum cleaner) whereas a typical motorcycle will produce 100 decibels of noise. The vehicle is specifically designed for use by US Special Forces that often operate deep in enemy territories.
Called the SilentHawk, it is based on Alta Motor’s RedShift MX commercial dirt-bikes. Logos Technologies, the contractor behind the SilentHawk work, planning to, “proceed with an aggressive Phase II program plan, with the goal of developing and testing the first operational prototype in only 18 months.” The bike is a two wheel driven setup which would give it tremendous grip in difficult terrain compared to conventional designs.
The rotary engine which can run on all kinds of fuel or oil is also modular in design, the whole engine block can be removed in less than 30 minutes in the field and the bike will run on pure electricity if the need arises. The operational range is 170 miles (273 km), weights approximately around 350 pounds (158 kg) with top speeds of around 90 mph (145kmph). Not only that, it has a small, hub-mounted motor in front of the wheel that makes it capable of two wheel drive for off-road purposes.
According to Logos Technologies, the bike is “affordable” on basis on price per unit but never said if the modifications is available for civilian use or not. The current RedShift MX retails for US$14,995 (RM55,000) right now.
Via Popular Science
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