It’s no great secret that the United States has a tough time recruiting new soldiers these days. Always clever though, the military offers plenty of programs to help entice young adults into serving their nation. Whether it’s money for college, money to help buy a house, or kick starting your life away from the boring suburbs, the military can usually offer something to everyone.
In a generation of video games, short attention spans, and a lackluster view at the military, the Air Force has cranked out a few really interesting recruitment tools. While not every kid fresh out of boot camp will get to drive one of these, it is a pretty unique way to show the kids what kind of toys the Air Force has at their disposal. Plus, it’s a little hard to land an F-22 Raptor in a city and taxi it up to a high school, but getting the Mustang there should be no issue.
Southern California based Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) recently finished these one off cars for the Air Force. Known as X-1 and Vapor, the Mustang and Challenger were both built to showcase the advanced technology and know how the Air Force has at their disposal. From a single center seat in the X-1, with a host to features like thermal vision, night vision, a concealed steering wheel, the X-1 completes the package with a 500HP modded version of the Mustangs 4.6L V8. The X-1 is slated to be showcased along the East Coast, and with menacing looks, and with a unique “cockpit,” it should cause quite a buzz at the recruitment tents at Air Shows and schools.
Touting biometric finger print access, proximity sensors, and an advanced computer system with Internet access, the Challenger based Vapor is about as close as you can come to a Stealth Bomber for the road. Covered in the Air Forces own radar absorbing black paint with enhancements to the bodywork, this baby rides on carbon fiber wheels, and has a specially modified exhaust that allows it to run almost silently. Don’t bother trying to sneak up on one though, as the 360 degree camera can spot from easily from 1/4 mile away.
For further information, including videos on the build up, testing, and more information on event schedules in your area, click here to view the U.S.A.F. website.
(Pictures courtesy of the United States Air Force)
-KF