As you probably know, our country is going through some chaotic times. The best thing we can do is find some positive sides of it all and with that, I bring you some pretty neat news. Per Army Times, some of our airborne soldiers are testing out the Army’s newest squad fighting vehicle. What is so special about it? It has a new diesel powerplant!

This new rig is being tested out by the soldiers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The rig coined the “ISV” (Infantry Squad Vehicle) is being brought to ground fleets the boots on the ground rest. This gives them a vehicle that can cover terrain rather than booting their entire journey. Who knows what sort of terrain they may encounter.

The ISV Program Manager has nicknamed the vehicle “Better Boot.”

The powerplant in this handy rig is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 midsize truck. Using a 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine, they’ll have 186-horsepower, and more than double that in torque, to play with. The production timeline runs to June 2028.

Due to its small size, the ISV is able to carry multiple days worth of personal and squad gear and can be transported by either air assault or airborne assault missions.

• Nine-man squad carrying capability
• Payload of 3,200-pounds
• External sling load by a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter
• Internal load/external lift by CH-47 Chinook helicopter
• Low-velocity air drop by fixed-wing C-130 or C-17 transport aircraft
• Exceptional mobility over all terrains
• Cover a range of 300 miles in a 72-hour period

The GM Duramax is a turbo-diesel engine produced by General Motors for use in mid-size pickup trucks and SUVs. A broad torque band makes the 2.8-liter Duramax very powerful at low rpm, while the turbocharged performance provides a confident feeling of immediate and smooth horsepower on demand.

Per Army Times, eventually, 11 infantry brigade combat teams will be outfitted with 59 vehicles each under the first contract.

Ultimately, the Army plans to purchase 2,065 ISVs. Definitely some different news than what you’re used to here on Diesel Army but cool nonetheless. For more diesel industry news, part reviews, and truck features, stay tuned. What do you think about these little machines? Are they capable with that powerplant? Let us know in the comments below.