2007 Gibbs Humdinga: Sturdy Amphibian for the US Navy

UK based Gibbs Technologies Ltd., the world's only High Speed Amphibian (HSA) technology specialist recently announced that it has won a US Department of Defence (DOD) Foreign Comparative Test contract to evaluate its existing HSA technology for military purposes. The US Navy will initially test the military viability of Gibbs' exciting technology to ascertain its capability and operational limits.

humdinga image 2 5330

The Gibbs Humdinga is an amphibious, open-air SUV designed by New Zealand inventor Alan Gibbs, with a 4WD amphibious vehicle concept. Although the new application utilizes the same patented HSA technological platform as the Aquada, it shares no common component parts or system with its forerunner. It has been designed explicitly to access remote or hostile terrain. The Humdinga can comfortably transport 5 people complete with luggage or supplies anywhere in the world's surface as previous vehicles. The Humdinga illustrates the scalability and versatility of HSA technology which can make amphibian vehicles ranging from passenger cars to SUVs, bikes, buses and high speed trucks.

humdinga rear 5330

The Humdinga transforms from land to water mode at a touch of a button. The wheels retract, the power train switches from the wheels to a jet propulsion system and the vehicle is in amphibious mode. In just a few seconds the driver is floating at a speed of forty miles per hour.

On land the Humdinga can accelerate from 0-60 in 9.2 seconds and on water in less than 10 seconds. It has a curb weight of 2000kg, has all wheel independent air suspension and runs on regular unleaded petrol. The vehicle is 5400mm in length, 1850mm in height and 2000mm in width.

It could endow the Navy's special units with a unique capability because no other army or navy in the world currently has a high-speed amphibian personnel carrier. HSA technology offers a highly effective solution to traditional problems posed by land-sea borders, such as beachhead landings or crossing waterways and lakes.

The highly versatile high-speed products can enable new mission profiles for a wide range of attack and defensive activities. The subsequent unveiling of the Humdinga, with its increased personnel carrying capacity and enhanced performance reinforces the belief in the potential Gibbs' HSA technology which caters to warfare strategists.

Commenting for Gibbs Technologies Ltd, Alan Gibbs its founder said:

Winning this contract is a major milestone for the company because we have solved a problem which has beset every major General since Alexander the Great. HSA technology could have a profound impact on the global military community; however it also offers enormous non-military potential for today's peace-keeping forces and disaster relief agencies.

humdinga image 1 5330

As a concept vehicle, it is not intended that the Gibbs Humdinga will be manufactured in its current form. Work is currently underway to further enhance the vehicle and it is anticipated that a production model is about two years away from market. Gibbs Technologies' HSA experts will work closely with the DOD validation team and will lead any subsequent application development process if deemed necessary.

The Humdinga retails for approximately $186,000 USD. The price is definitely hefty, but then, there aren't vehicles manufactured on a daily basis that have the peerless ability to be called a real all-terrain vehicle which even nullifies water as an obstacle. Ill pay that much for a vehicle like this for I would know that once ignited it can take me anywhere, provide the wherewithal factor is taken care off and probably the only thing in its case that requires rationale!

Via : DigiAds