By now, it’s well known that the Navy is investing billions of dollars in cybicycles, especially for its elite SEALs.
However, some Navy SEAL training has been criticized for having “training-related” equipment that’s “not suitable for the SEAL environment,” according to a report by the Naval Institute of Design.
This includes the use of the ARVAN Cybex, a rotary engine-powered helicopter-mounted rotor, which was first used for training by SEALs in Afghanistan.
The Navy, however, has since released a statement that the ARVs are safe, and it doesn’t have plans to change its use of them.
According to the Navy, ARVs aren’t “an acceptable option for SEAL training” because they can be difficult to operate, cause stress, and are prone to damage.
DARPA has been testing ARVs for training purposes, but they have yet to be deployed.
The ARVs were developed in collaboration with General Dynamics and are designed for “combat-oriented, highly capable, and safe training environments,” according the Navy.
They are also capable of flying “above the aircraft carrier, landing in a shallow water, or at a remote location for extended periods of time,” according their website.
The Army is also considering using ARVs.
According the Army’s Special Operations Command, they are also “in the process of developing a new high-speed helicopter-powered rotary vehicle for use in special operations environments.”
The ARVANS are also being tested in the U.S. military’s elite Blackwater academy, which trains about 1,000 SEALs a year.
The company that developed them, Blackwater Reserves, was also founded by former SEAL Chris Kyle, who is a decorated combat veteran.
According.
to Blackwater’s website, “Blackwater Reserve has partnered with DARPA to develop a new rotary-powered training vehicle that can be used to train SEALs and other U.A.E. personnel at the Blackwater training complex in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.”
Blackwater did not respond to a request for comment from Medical News Now.
The Marine Corps also recently announced that they will use ARVs in their training.
“ARVs are ideal for training our elite Marine Corps infantry soldiers and Navy SEAL instructors,” Marine Corps spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mike Smith told The Daily Beast.
“We have been testing this training platform and are working with DARPM to ensure it is safe, secure, and reliable.”
The Marine Army also recently released a press release announcing that they are using ARVans for training.
It says that “ARVANS will be available for deployment on a pilot basis.”
The Army has also reportedly begun testing ARVan Cybuses, a helicopter-like rotary powered helicopter-mount rotor, and the Marine Corps plans to use the ARvans in its training.
The military has also deployed ARVAns to the US Marines’ Advanced Tactical Training Center, which is in Fort Lewis, Washington, and is based out of Camp Pendleton, California.
The Marines said in a statement to the Daily Beast that the helicopters “will be used in conjunction with the ARVS, which will be used at the Marine Advanced Tactical Exercise (MATS) next month in South Korea.”
This was the first time that the Army has used ARVAs for training, and according to The Daily Caller, the Army is not currently testing them for use.
This will allow the Army to “test and evaluate the safety and performance of these new vehicles in real-world situations,” the Army stated.
In addition, the Navy also announced in January that they would be using ARvains for training at sea, but the Navy did not provide details on what the Army would be doing with the new equipment.
The Pentagon also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.