The United States Marine Corps (USMC) has awarded Polaris Government and Defense a sole-source contract to continue production and delivery of the MRZR Alpha Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle (ULTV).
“The ULTV is a highly capable and configurable platform that enhances Marine Corps readiness across the board,” Program Acquisition Executive Marine Corps (PAE MC), program manager, Jennifer Moore, stated.
“We’ve worked closely with the engineering team at Polaris to expand on its capabilities even further, including the introduction of the high-power variant, which opens new possibilities for communications and systems integration.”
The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract awarded through Program Acquisition Executive Marine Corps (PAE-MC) is valued at up to US $98 million (approx. A $137 million), with an order period of up to five years.
This new contract also includes the MRZR Alpha 5kW exportable power variant for the first time, along with funding for continued support from Polaris engineering and logistics teams.
Integration of the additional export power does not compromise the vehicle’s original purpose, maintaining the capability to haul two litters and other mission critical supplies while eliminating the need for a generator and freeing up critical cargo space.
To date, US Marines have more than 500 MRZR Alphas. Marines continue to deploy, train and test the platform in a variety of roles, including logistics platform, infantry manoeuvre, MEDEVAC, counter-drone, communications command and control and ground refueling for aircraft.
As part of a broader wheeled vehicle fleet, MRZR Alpha ULTVs support the Marine Corps’ mission readiness, operational flexibility and distributed operations strategy.
Engineered for rapid deployment, the MRZR Alpha ULTV is an internally transportable vehicle (ITV) capable of being carried inside MV-22 and CH-53 helicopters. This “fly-and-drive” capability allows Marine Expeditionary Units to maintain high mobility in contested or anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments.
“Marines are known for adapting quickly – Any Clime and Place – and expect the same level of performance from the MRZR Alpha ULTV. This new contract enables us to continue leveraging our off-road engineering expertise to meet their evolving operational needs, whether that’s an increase in exportable power, towing capacity or payload,” Polaris Government and Defense, Defense program manager, Erin Telander, highlighted.
“Polaris has been solving mobility challenges for its military customers worldwide for decades – with a significant number of those advancements made in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps over the last 10 years.”
The Marine Corps originally purchased MRZR Alpha light tactical vehicles using a GSA contract awarded from USSOCOM’s Program Manager for Family of Special Operations Vehicles (PM-FOSOV).
That contract ceiling was raised from US $109 (approx. A $152 million) to US $130 million (approx. A $181 million) and the additional contract extensions were exercised in July of 2025.