Land Rover has put together a special one-off version of its Discovery which has just entered service with the Austrian Red Cross.
A drone, providing eyes in the sky, while the unique vehicle, fitted with go-anywhere wheels can act as an emergency mobile command centre with the Austrian Red Cross disaster response teams.
More emergency vehicles
It comes after an 18-month collaboration between Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations and the Austrian Red Cross, which follows Land Rover's own similar Project Hero concept car, which previewed a life-saving Discovery last year.
As well as the eight-rotor drone, The Austrian Rod Cross' Discovery has the latest in communications equipment, including a long-range thermal imaging camera fitted to the drone, which is capable of spotting a person from 440m and can identify a vehicle at almost 1,000m. As part of its command centre capabilities, the car is also fitted with four radio antennae, 360-degree lighting and an integrated carbon fibre loadspace.
The vehicle is based on Land Rover's regular 254 bhp 3.0-litre TD6 Discovery, meaning that ven without the plethora of modifications, it's still pretty handy at reaching pretty much everywhere.
"Our partnership with the Red Cross isn’t just about our vehicles," said Michael van der Sande, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations. "Since we started collaborating in 1954, our aim has been to help the Red Cross improve its disaster response and ultimately to help save lives."
"Over the past 18 months our engineers have worked closely with the emergency response team at the Austrian Red Cross, deploying Land Rover’s technology and talent to create a unique solution to the requirements of the Red Cross in the region."
Dr Jemilah Mahmood, IFRC Under Secretary General for Partnerships addedd: "We are grateful for Land Rover’s generous support over the past six decades. The Discovery Emergency Response Vehicle is yet another result of our strong global partnership that brings together the best expertise of the Red Cross and Land Rover in one unique vehicle, which will make a difference in rescue operations in the harshest conditions.
"We are proud to be working with Land Rover to build resilience in communities around the world in the face of natural disasters such as monsoons, flooding and earthquakes."
Land Rover’s relationship with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) began way back in 1954 when it donated a vehicle to be used as a mobile dispensary in the deserts of Dubai in 1954. Since then the company has donated more than 120 vehicles to the IFRC all over the world.
Gallery: Land Rover Discovery Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle at the Paris Motor Show
