Ford Ranger Tactical Can Run On Jet Fuel And Even Has Stealth Mode

Ford Ranger Tactical Can Run On Jet Fuel And Even Has Stealth Mode

The first hybrid Ford Ranger isn’t what we were expecting.

Ford’s Global Fleet Sales division has introduced the new Ranger FG-P, a light tactical vehicle for defense and security operations. This midsize pickup truck comes with silent operation and “Black Out” modes to make the FG-P as discreet as possible.

Silent operation is achieved via an electric motor on the rear driveline, making this the first Ranger hybrid. It’s not a standard hybrid as we know it, where the electric motor is designed to work in tandem with the combustion engine. In the Ranger FG-P, it’s an entirely different power source, and the truck must stop to activate it. The combustion engine is shut down, and an interlock system keeps it from turning back on.

The electric motor is not potent, however, and will only take the Ranger to 12.5 mph. Depending on the battery size, the FG-P has a range between 1.25 and 17.75 miles.

With the combustion engine switched off, the truck makes virtually no noise and no heat signature. According to Ford, the engine can be quickly restarted if you need to hoof it out of the hot zone.

To complement the silent running mode, the operator can also engage “Black Out.” It’s not one button that turns everything off but rather a series of toggles the operator can flick to disengage light sources, including those on the inside. And the Ranger FG-P has many light sources as a defense and security vehicle. Unlike the standard Ranger, it can be ordered with 360-degree flood lighting, convoy lights, and an infrared system.

The “Black Out” mode also disengages all sounds, so there are no annoying bleeps when you get out of the car and leave it running. The horn is also deactivated, but the power steering, ABS, stability control, and airbags remain active.

The exterior hue also plays a significant role in blending in. The best colors depend entirely on the mission, but matte colors like gray, blue, brown, or green are generally best.

The FG-P can also be ordered with a JP8 fuel conversion that allows it to run on all grades of diesel and jet fuel. This conversion is only available on Ford’s 2.0-liter Panther single-turbo four-cylinder diesel, which is not available in the USA. The only options here are EcoBoost four and six-cylinder gas powertrains. This makes the Ranger’s diesel powertrain, limited to 50 PPM diesel, usable in disaster relief areas where diesel is unavailable or contaminated.

You can’t simply pour jet fuel into a standard diesel-powered Ranger because it will clog up the catalytic converter, build up acid in the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler, and degrade the Injectors and high-pressure pump.

The conversion, therefore, includes a recalibration of the ECU, replacing the catalytic converter with a non-cat muffler system, closing the Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve to keep gasses from getting to the EGR, and software updates to keep the car from bombing you with error codes. If the FG-P is going to be used in hot climates, it will also get a fuel cooler, so it can run on low-viscosity fuels.

As there’s a good chance these vehicles will be loaded with people and kit, the gross vehicle mass has also been increased. The current Ranger diesel in crew cab configuration is rated at 3,785 pounds. The FP-G gets a heavy-duty suspension setup consisting of twin tube foam cell dampers front and rear, heavy-duty bushes, and heavy-duty multi-leaf construction at the back. This takes the gross weight up to 7,716 lbs.

These Ranger FG-Ps are built for Ford by RMA Special Vehicles in Thailand, and each unit retains its original OEM warranty. The Thai-based manufacturer has a long history of building emergency and rescue, defense and security, industrial, and off-road vehicles.

It’s an interesting concept that makes more sense than going fully electric like the US Military. In case you missed it, the US government is building a new military vehicle based on the Hummer EV platform.