Highland Systems is a project management and R&D company. The joint British/UAE venture has introduced a multi-roll Armor vehicle which is called the STORM. The company describes STORM as an MPV, but a quick look will tell you that this is not your regular Toyota Sienna with some armor plating.
Highland systems STORM is a tank, but much like Toyota’s hybrid hatchback Prius, this armored all-terrain vehicle is also powered by an electrified drivetrain. The Highland system STORM’s armor safety gets a B6 ballistic safety rating, and the company claims that it has been designed for a wide range of military as well as civilian applications.
The manufacturer recently showcased STORM at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference, which was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, earlier in February. Based on Highland Systems’ description, the STORM is not your ordinary armored Go Over Any Terrain vehicle as it doesn’t need solid ground to charge ahead.
The company’s multi-roll hybrid offering also happens to be an amphibious MPV. STORM has surface amphibious capabilities, and customers can configure their armored vehicles with remote control systems that will allow the vehicle to operate autonomously. Highland Systems STORM has a curb weight of around 17,637 lbs (8000 kgs) and offers more than 4400 pounds of carrying capacity on water.
The hybrid armored vehicle can seat up to 6 occupants and comes equipped with a diesel hybrid powertrain, which allows it to achieve a maximum forward speed of 87 MPH (140 km/h). Highland Systems also claims that its electric engine produces 2500 HP of power and that STORM’s battery pack can be recharged in just 2.5 hours. The company has not disclosed the pricing of its armored MPV, but we expect the final price tag to be quite exorbitant.