The Flyer F72-LD is a U.S.-origin light tactical mobility vehicle in the Flyer 72 family, built around air transportability, high payload, and modular mission kits. General Dynamics identifies the M1297 A-GMV branch as part of the same General Dynamics and Flyer Defense family, while 2025 reporting placed Flyer 72-LD vehicles in Ukrainian special operations service during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Ukrainian military footage published in March 2025 showed a Flyer 72-LD in Ukrainian Special Operations Forces service, with reporting describing it as one of the first confirmed sightings of the platform in Ukrainian hands.
Role detailsThe F72-LD is best understood as a fast insertion and support vehicle rather than a protected fighting vehicle. Its documented value is the combination of nine-person carriage, 5,000 lb payload, aircraft compatibility, and modular kits for missions such as reconnaissance, armed transport, evacuation, and cold-weather operation.
The brochure lists CH-47 internal air transport, UH-60 sling load, C-130 low-velocity air drop, and C-17/C-5 airlift options.
Flyer Defense lists crew capacity up to nine on the product page and the brochure lists 5,000 lb payload in the light-duty configuration.
General Dynamics describes the A-GMV open design as accepting remote or manned turrets, armor, and arctic kits when required.
Sources: Flyer Defense F72-LD product page; Flyer 72-LD brochure; General Dynamics AGMV contract.
Flyer Defense links the F72-LD to the Flyer 72 branch procured for U.S. special operations and airborne forces. The company describes GMV 1.1 as a 2013 General Dynamics contract for Flyer 72 vehicles, with the M1297 A-GMV added in 2017 as a nine-passenger variant for Army airborne infantry brigade combat teams.
GMV 1.1 procurement centered on a lightweight Flyer 72 vehicle intended to replace older HMMWV-based special operations mobility vehicles while supporting C4ISR electronics and mounted weapons.
The A-GMV M1297 adaptation is described by Flyer Defense as a nine-passenger Flyer 72 variant for Army airborne infantry brigade combat teams.
The same announcement identifies sustainment and accessory support for GMV 1.1, A-GMV, Flyer 60, and future Flyer platforms through authorized distribution channels.
Sources: Flyer Defense MacGyver distributor announcement; General Dynamics AGMV contract.
Public sources place the F72-LD inside the wider Flyer 72 and A-GMV family; the listed rows distinguish service configurations and closely related Flyer 72 branches rather than unrelated vehicles.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| M1297 A-GMV 1.1 | U.S. Army ground mobility vehicle configuration | General Dynamics says the AGMV (M1297) is part of the Flyer family developed by General Dynamics and Flyer Defense, with payload and lift requirements aligned to the GMV1.1 lineage. Sources: General Dynamics AGMV contract |
| M1288 GMV 1.1 | U.S. special operations ground mobility vehicle branch | The Flyer Defense brochure describes the F72-LD as sharing the design approach and 90 percent parts commonality with the USSOCOM M1288 GMV 1.1. Sources: Flyer 72-LD brochure |
| Flyer 72 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle | Flyer 72 family reconnaissance branch | General Dynamics lists the Flyer72 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle as part of the same vehicle family as the M1288 GMV1.1 and M1297 AGMV. Sources: General Dynamics AGMV contract |
The F72-LD brochure presents air movement as a central design requirement, covering internal carriage, sling-load transport, and low-velocity airdrop options.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Heavy-lift helicopter | The brochure lists CH-47 internal air transport compatibility for the F72-LD. Sources: Flyer 72-LD brochure |
 | Utility helicopter | The brochure lists UH-60 sling-load compatibility for moving the F72-LD by helicopter. Sources: Flyer 72-LD brochure |
 | Tactical transport aircraft | The brochure lists C-130 low-velocity airdrop compatibility for the F72-LD. Sources: Flyer 72-LD brochure |
 | Strategic transport aircraft | The brochure lists C-5 LVAD and DRAS compatibility for F72-LD air delivery. Sources: Flyer 72-LD brochure |
Flyer Defense says USSOCOM awarded General Dynamics the GMV 1.1 contract in 2013 to procure Flyer 72 vehicles as lightweight tactical replacements for older HMMWV-based ground mobility vehicles.
Sources: Flyer Defense MacGyver distributor announcement
Flyer Defense describes the A-GMV M1297 as a nine-passenger Flyer 72 variant added to the General Dynamics-USSOCOM contract for Army airborne infantry brigade combat teams.
Sources: Flyer Defense MacGyver distributor announcement
U.S. Army Contracting Command awarded General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems a $33.8 million production contract for Army Ground Mobility Vehicles and associated kits.
Sources: General Dynamics AGMV contract
General Dynamics announced completion of the first U.S. Army A-GMV 1.1 delivery package, including vehicles, spares, and training.
Sources: General Dynamics first A-GMV delivery
DVIDS imagery from Immediate Response 19 showed 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment soldiers moving an Army Ground Mobility Vehicle in Croatia while the battalion rotated the new vehicles through its companies.
Sources: DVIDS Immediate Response A-GMV image
Defence Blog reported that Ukrainian military footage showed a Flyer 72-LD with Ukrainian Special Operations Forces.
Sources: Defence Blog Ukraine sighting
