Editing RST-V Shadow (section)

==History==
Class: Armored Fighting Vehicle (Prototype)</br>
Developed: 1999-2006</br>
Service: N/A</br>
Vehicles Built: 4</br>
Operators: N/A

The RST-V Shadow (RST-V stands for “Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Targeting Vehicle”) was an attempt to build something truly advanced for the U.S. Special Forces troops and the U.S. Marines to use as a fast attack and recon vehicle. The famous DARPA laboratory, in cooperation with the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy, funded a General Dynamics Land Systems project to create a light assault and recon platform that would combine the 21st century recon capabilities with low weight, stealthy movement, high speeds and, of course, durability. At the same time, the vehicle would have to be light to fit into larger helicopters in order to match the transportability of the earlier platforms.

What made it truly unique was the propulsion. Instead of a massive engine such vehicles usually sport, the Shadow was powered by a hybrid drive. A 2.5 liter Detroit Diesel engine (rated at 150hp) powered an electric generator, which in turn either charged the vehicle’s on-board batteries, or powered four electric motors, one installed in each of its wheels.

Four prototypes were delivered by GDLS in 2002 and extensively tested until 2004. The 2004 tests were largely successful and, in 2005, General Dynamics Land Systems received a contract to upgrade the Shadow based on their results and in 2006, one or more Shadow prototypes were allegedly sent to and tested in Iraq for three months. And that’s where its story abruptly ended. During the years that followed, the Shadow was sporadically mentioned in connection with the JLTV program that was launched in 2006 to replace the old Humvee in pretty much every role within the U.S. military, but it would not appear as a serious contender during its run that ended only fairly recently. The Shadow was likely defunded sometime after 2006 and will likely remain a prototype only.