× CampingSurvivalistHuntingFishingExploringHikingPrivacy PolicyTerms And Conditions
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Technical K.O. – Dillon Aero’s Minigun-Equipped Ford Ranger

The term “technical” is often used to describe a civilian vehicle — usually a 4×4 pickup like the venerable Toyota Hilux — that has been modified to carry an onboard weapon system such as a heavy machine gun, anti-aircraft cannon, or anti-tank rocket launcher. The underlying light, mobile weapon concept dates back far beyond the automobile to horse-drawn tachanka carts of the First World War and carroballistas (essentially huge crossbows mounted on carriages) of the Roman Empire. However, according to the book Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great War to Modern Special Forces by Leigh Neville, this descriptor originated during the Somali Civil War in the early 1990s, where NGOs hired local gunmen in “Mad Max-style armed pickup trucks” for protection under the guise of being “technical advisers.”

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 64 of our sister publication Recoil magazine.


aero

As with other weapon concepts that have persisted through history, technicals still appear in nearly every modern conflict because they’re extremely effective. Unlike purpose-built military vehicles that require specialized, expensive parts and complex maintenance routines, technicals are based on vehicles that can be purchased locally and serviced at any Jiffy Lube (or its third-world equivalent). Their weapon components are bolted or welded in place, so they can just as easily be removed and exchanged. And if the vehicle is damaged in combat, repairing or replacing it is a matter of tens of thousands of dollars, not hundreds of thousands.

Serious Firepower


fordranger

Above: The Dillon Aero MMC turret system built into this custom bed cage helps the operator maintain control of the M134D as it spews a near-continuous beam of rounds downrange. This weapon produces a considerable pile of spent brass and belt links after a few short bursts.


minigun

Arizona-based weapon manufacturer Dillon Aero recognized the merits of the technical formula, but wanted to put its own spin on it — literally. The Dillon team purchased this 2021 Ford Ranger and equipped it with the company’s Multi-Mission Capable (MMC) system, which is a modular, power-operated turret that can accept a wide variety of weapons. The compatibility list includes M240 and M60 medium machine guns, M2 .50-caliber heavy machine gun, MK19/MK47/H&K GMG automatic grenade launchers, the Russian PKM, and many others. But this truck features the cream of the crop — Dillon Aero’s M134D minigun, which doles out a staggering 3,000 rounds of 7.62 NATO per minute. That’s 50 rounds per second, or about four times the rate of fire of an M240. While taking photos for this article, we had the opportunity to send some rounds downrange with the M134D in the MMC turret, and we can only describe it is as a firehose of hot lead. If you can use one without grinning ear-to-ear, we can’t be friends.


minigun

Above: The bed cage was designed to accommodate overland accessories such as these Rotopax fuel canisters.

As cool as the minigun is, there’s more to this truck than its armament. A representative told us, “The Dillon Aero Ford Ranger goes a step further with the engineering effort to mount field-deployable communication systems that allow for ground control of military and civilian aircraft. We also implemented overland features that allow for extended capability in various mission settings.” The most noticeable upgrade is a one-of-a-kind custom bed cage that supports the MMC system; Dillon engineers designed and prototyped it using CAD files provided by Ford. The truck also features Coastal Offroad front and rear bumper sheetmetal kits, which were welded and finished in-house. The front bumper contains four Baja Designs LED lights and a Warn winch; the rear bumper has a swing-out spare tire carrier and antenna mount. That antenna is connected to a Mil-spec PRC-113 VHF/UHF radio that sits atop the truck’s dash.


minigun

Above: A Mil-spec PRC-113 radio adds communication capabilities to this truck. To save space on the dash, its bulky amplifier was relocated to the floor behind the center console.


minigun

Above: Fox coilovers with remote-reservoir shocks allow this Ranger to handle washboard desert roads smoothly at speed.

For improved off-road capability, the Ranger was equipped with ShrockWorks rock sliders, a Coastal Off-road skid plate, Fox remote-reservoir shocks, 17-inch Fifteen52 wheels, and 33-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. Additionally, a Roam Adventure Co. awning was bolted onto the Prinsu roof rack, and Rotopax fuel canisters were installed on the bed cage.


fordranger

Above: The MMC turret accepts a variety of weapons, including heavy machine guns and grenade launchers, but this Ranger is equipped with Dillon’s own M134D Minigun. We’re told they also have plans to try it with the .50-caliber 503D Gatling gun in the near future.

Although technicals are typically the work of “austere” mechanics and fabricators in war-torn countries, it’s not hard to see why mainstream manufacturers like Dillon Aero (and Global Military Products, distributors of the Scorpion mortar truck we featured in Recoil Issue 61) are getting on board with the idea. It’s much easier and more cost-effective to install a weapon system on a locally sourced civilian truck than it is to send a custom-built military vehicle halfway across the globe and keep it running. Kyle Goodale of Dillon’s Special Projects skunkworks explained, “We’ve had many vehicle platforms come into the shop, usually built for one purpose or another … The Ranger represents the first project of its type for Dillon Aero, where the Special Projects division was given a blank slate to build upon. We look forward to implementing it in our testing processes for various weapon systems such as the 503D (.50-caliber Gatling gun) platform and having a good time with it as well.”


fordranger

Above: This high-clearance Coastal Offroad rear bumper includes a swing-out with a full-size spare tire, trash bag, and antenna mount.

Dillon Aero Ford Ranger Specifications

2021 Ford Ranger XLT SuperCrew 4×4


fordranger

Drivetrain: 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder with 10-speed automatic transmission

Suspension: Fox Performance Elite Series 2.5 remote reservoir coilover shocks

Armament: Dillon Aero MMC turret system equipped with Dillon Aero M134D Minigun and Trijicon MGRS sight

Wheels & Tires: 17-inch Fifteen52 Turbomac HD wheels, 285/70R17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires

Body Modifications: Dillon Aero custom bed cage, Coastal Offroad front/rear bumpers and skid plate, ShrockWorks rock sliders, Prinsu roof rack, Roam Adventure Co. awning, Rotopax fuel containers

Electronics: Baja Designs Squadron Pro bumper lights and S2 Pro A-pillar lights on SDHQ brackets, sPOD HD light/accessory controller, PRC-113 radio with VRC-83 amplifier and bumper-mounted antenna, Warn winch

Owner & Builder: Dillon Aero Inc. Scottsdale, Arizona

WEB: dillonaero.com

Special Thanks: Foothills Fabrication, ShrockWorks, Coastal Offroad, SDHQ Motorsports

Related Posts


  • aero
    New: Armasight Contractor Thermal OpticsThe Armasight Contractor series includes the Contractor 320 3-12x25mm and 6-24x50mm. Both thermal optics are designed and built in the USA.

  • Review: Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Power Station
    Review: Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Power StationEvery day, we take for granted the ability to access a virtually-unlimited supply of electricity. It keeps our food cold, our homes warm, and our lights on, not to mention a myriad of […]

  • Shoot & Scoot: Global Military Products Scorpion Mobile Mortar System
    Shoot & Scoot: Global Military Products Scorpion Mobile Mortar SystemThe Global Military Products Scorpion mobile mortar system features dual GPS units, a weather station, and a ballistic trajectory calculator.

  • Tailor-Made ARs Part 2: A Veteran’s General Purpose AR-15
    Tailor-Made ARs Part 2: A Veteran's General Purpose AR-15Even though I had assumed I knew enough, almost everything I had understood about a general purpose AR-15 had changed in a handful of years.

  • Midland MXT575 GMRS Mobile Radio Review & DIY Installation
    Midland MXT575 GMRS Mobile Radio Review & DIY InstallationThe new 50-watt Midland MXT575 GMRS mobile radio can easily connect to repeaters, mobile radios, and cheap Baofeng handhelds I already own.

  • Tailor-Made ARs: Choosing the Best AR-15 Mods
    Tailor-Made ARs: Choosing the Best AR-15 ModsIs there a combination of the best AR-15 mods, accessories, and technologies that can be condensed into a single do-all survival rifle? We set out to accomplish just that.

  • The TAV “Ranger Goat” Overland Tacoma Build
    The TAV “Ranger Goat” Overland Tacoma BuildAfter his cousin passed, Walt inherited the truck and decided to use it to keep his legacy alive by building it into an overland Tacoma.

  • New: Short-Barreled Ruger Mark IV at CANCON 2022
    New: Short-Barreled Ruger Mark IV at CANCON 2022This short-barreled Mark IV 22/45 was whisper-quiet, even with ultra-compact .22 suppressors, making it a great tool for small game hunting.

  • Video: DIY Overland Camper Build Time-Lapse
    Video: DIY Overland Camper Build Time-LapseThis 10-minute time lapse video shows a DIY overland camper built from nothing but raw materials and a set of custom blueprints.

The post Technical K.O. – Dillon Aero’s Minigun-Equipped Ford Ranger appeared first on RECOIL OFFGRID.

By: Patrick McCarthy
Title: Technical K.O. – Dillon Aero’s Minigun-Equipped Ford Ranger
Sourced From: www.offgridweb.com/transportation/technical-k-o-dillon-aeros-minigun-equipped-ford-ranger/
Published Date: Sun, 04 Dec 2022 12:00:48 +0000


-------------------------------------------------------------------------




Did you miss our previous article...
https://outdoorsnewswire.com/survivalist/so-can-you-eat-chipmunks-for-survival