Background:
In 1977, a number of vehicles competed for a government contract to replace the aging M-151 MUTT Jeep the army had been using since the late 1950s. One of the entries, the Lamborghini Cheetah did not make the cut, the contract instead going to AM General for the Humvee. The Cheetah caught the interest of General Austin, who wanted something faster, lighter, and more manueverable than the new Humvee and the old M-151 MUTT Jeep. He got together with MTI Technologies (who was building the cheetah for Lambo) and asked them to build a 2 seater prototype with a larger, more powerful engine mounted in the front. The result was satisfactory and the VAMP was born!
VAMP Mk. I
The original VAMP was meant to be a multi-purpose vehicle. It was to perform recon, anti-aircraft, towing, infantry support and general transportation duties. Its engine was a beefy turbocharged V-12 that could propel the VAMP to nearly 140 MPH. It was lightly armed with twin 7.62mm machine guns that were remote controlled by the passenger or driver. Mounted under the hood was another simple 7.62mm machine gun. It only pointed forward and its usefulness was minimal. The VAMP was very popular with GI Joe and served on many missions. Clutch swore by the VAMP and remained a driver of the vehicle for over 30 years. Of all the Joes, he could push the VAMP to the limits of its capabilities, and had destroyed quite a few in his time!
VAMP Mk. II "Desert Vamp"
After the success of the original VAMP, a new version was created. The cooling system of the Mk. I was found to be a little inadequate in warmer climates. The Mk. II improved on this with a larger radiator and improved hoses. More firepower was added in the form of a box missile launcher with 4 surface-to-surface missiles. Gone was the hood mounted 7.62mm machine gun and the twin guns mounted on the rear. To protect the occupants from the elements a soft top and doors were added. The additional weight of the missile launchers slowed the top speed down some, but the popularity of the added firepower made up for it. Although meant for desert climates, the VAMP Mk. II ended up being used in all sorts of weather and terrains.
Cobra Stinger
The Cobra brass were impressed with the VAMP on the battlefield and made several attempts to get the plans. Finally, they managed to capture one. The vehicle was transferred to MARS Industries and they engineered a virtual copy of the VAMP. The Stinger had a few differences from the VAMP it copied. The turbocharger and air cleaner were enlarged and protruded into the hood. The missile system was a gargantuan thing on the rear deck of the Stinger. It was more advanced than the box style on the VAMP Mk. II. A rear bumper deck and hand rail was added to allow additional troops to ride along. The doors were a gull wing type design that allowed the easy ingress/egress of the occupants. Despite the improvements, the Stinger and VAMP Mk. II were equally matched, due to the inexperience and poor training of the Stinger drivers.
Tiger Sting
A few of the first generation of VAMPs were converted for use by the Tiger Force. The box style missile launcher was used and the 7.62mm hood mounted machine gun was retained. A tiger style paint job was applied to denote its affiliation with Tiger Force.
Desert Striker
Some VAMP Mk. IIs were heavily modified with a new rollcage and a reinforced front end. Added was an M-60 GPMG mounted on the passenger side. An unusual feature was the mine deployment system on the rear bumper. It was a simple mechanical device that used 55 gallon drums that contained simple anti-tank mines. The lever would tip the drums and dump the mines over the ground.
VAMP Mk. I & II, 2nd Generation
The second generation VAMP was a complete departure from the original VAMP from 1982. It was sourced from the chassis of a Ford Expedition and based on the Humvee. It was slower, with a top speed of 90 MPH. It was built for utility and not speed. It could carry an additional 2 passengers in the passenger compartment, and a few extra could tag along in the rear cargo box.
Yes, it featured a cargo box, where a pedestal mounted mini-gun provided fire support. This mini-gun plus a single rocket launcher could be mounted on a number of hard-points on the roof. The new generation of VAMP was everything the older VAMP was not. Still the 1st generation VAMP remains in service.
NINJA Combat Cruiser (Night INfiltration Jeep, All-Terrain)
Up-armored and equipped with a missile launcher, this all new version of the 2nd generation of the VAMP is equipped for night fighting in urban and suburban environments. The entire passenger compartment and cargo box are covered with a kevlar reinforced micro-Chobham armor. 2 inch thick gull-wing steel doors with hydraulic open assist allow entry and exit into the vehicle. The missiles can be configured for both surface-to-air and surface-to-surface capabilities. The NINJA Combat Cruiser is being tested as to its usefulness in battlefield environments.
In The Future:
After 30 years of service, the original VAMP shows no signs of slowing down. A parts recycling program keeps certain units on the road, well after their initial service life has expired. In 2007, new VAMP Mk. 1 units rolled off the assembly line, nearly identical to their 30 year old counterparts in the motor pool. The 1st generation VAMP was built to last 20 years in a normal environment, but the fact that they have lasted this long, is a testament to their quality.
