BRITISH technology has helped to produce the world's first production diesel military motorbike.
The 86mph machine, already ordered by the US Marines, may be available to the public in the future.
The bike is the result of a technology partnership between Cranfield University, in Oxfordshire, and California's Hayes Diversified Technologies.
The challenge was to come up with a design that was sufficiently light and powerful, and had an engine speed range wide enough to give the level of performance needed by a tactical vehicle.
Project spokesman John Crocker said: "The motorcycle also had to meet strict Nato requirements for all armed forces to operate their entire inventory of vehicles and powered equipment on either diesel fuel or aviation-grade kerosene."
An initial order for 522 of the bikes has been placed by the US Marines.
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