This huge combat tractor is the ultimate multitasker

Firepower: This combat tractor is the ultimate multitasker

Tech Take: Allison Barrie on the new armored tractor that is affectionately known as the 'Swiss Army Knife' of combat vehicles

Meet the 32-ton armored combat vehicle that’s the ultimate tractor— albeit one that can punch holes through concrete, fire rockets, and carve safe passage through minefields for soldiers.

BAE Systems’ Terrier is affectionately known as the Swiss Army Knife of combat vehicles because there isn't anything it can't tackle. A multi-tool on a giant scale, the Terrier is a number of critical vehicles all in one. It can quickly adapt to tackle a range of important tasks. It even has a 26-foot arm.

Terrier can destroy enemy runways, rip holes in concrete compounds where terrorists hide, and dismantle bridges.

This mammoth machine beast can even unleash PYTHON rocket-propelled explosives to destroy concealed IEDS, protecting dismounted troops.

What can it do?

Like tractors found all throughout the United States, Terrier can lift, grab and move things. But the Terrier is next level: its front loader system can lift five tons.

It can move a staggering 300 tons of earth per hour – that’s about the weight of 120 5,000-pound SUVs.

The vehicle can deploy its excavator arm and bucket to destroy bridges, obstacles, and more. In both day and night conditions, the vehicle’s cameras provide 360-degree vision.

In spite of weighing a mammoth 32 tons, Terrier can reach speeds of more than 45 miles per hour. Off-roading is no problem for Terrier, and it can even execute missions that require travelling through water and braving six-foot waves.

This cutting-edge vehicle can even be run by remote control from about 3300 feet away.

Defeating bombs

So it can shift an enormous amount of weight— but that’s just the beginning of its talents in war zones.

In the battlespace, IEDs remains a serious, ongoing threat. Terrier can help defeat this threat and play a key role in keeping military, aid personnel, and civilians safe.

Terrier’s telescopic investigation arm extends over more than 26 feet from the vehicle. The long arm allows warfighters to probe and unearth buried devices from a safe distance.

A special IED-focused plow--like a massive cattle guard— can also be quickly attached to Terrier to defeat this threat.

Hammer, ripper and auger

The highly adaptive Terrier is packed with features. Terriers can now also come equipped with a rock hammer, ripper and earth auger.

Terrier’s hammer can split rocks and even penetrate concrete. Its ripper can tear up roads or runways. How is that useful downrange? One example would be preventing enemy use of transportation routes.

And for combat engineering tasks, the Terrier’s earth auger can drill holes.

Wet work

BAE System’s new advancements mean the Terrier will also be able to wade through much deeper waters. It will even be able to withstand more than six-foot wave surges.

For combat, the surge protection and the deeper wading capabilities mean the Terrier can be even more useful in coastal and other low-lying areas. Beyond combat, the enhanced wading will mean better support in humanitarian aid and disaster response.

BAE Systems designed the Terrier to provide the British Army with maximum flexibility from a single vehicle.

Terrier’s all in one, streamlined approach means the military can reduce the massive equipment they need downrange and just bring one vehicle to do the jobs of several.