An Overview of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle

Recently, the United States Army and Marine Corp has pushed for the reallocation of nearly a billion dollars in funding to purchase a new type of vehicles, know as MRAP's, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected. In order to curb the number of deaths from IED's (Improvised Explosive Device's), the military has evaluated its current troop transport, the HMMWV, also known as a Humvee, for possible modifications to make it less prone to these IED's. After studies, it was determined that a new vehicle would be needed, something that was tougher, more armored, but had the same speed and capability of the previous Humvee, and along came the MRAP. However, a drawback to the new MRAP is that a unit cost of approximately 1 million dollars, they cost roughly ten times more than the previous Humvee.

This new vehicle isn't just a single large troop transporting truck, but rather a fleet of vehicles, each with differing shape, size, speed, weight and intended missions. There are currently three classes of MRAP's, categories 1, 2 and 3. Each comprises of a different vehicle platform, some 4x4 and some 6x6. The smallest, category 1, are most similar to the previous Humvee, but are designed to be mine resistant.

A small category 1 MRAP, the International MaxxPro, is produced by the International Truck company, the same company that produces many of the school buses in use today. The Marine Corp plans on using the MaxxPro to replace all Humvee's currently used in combat theaters, in order to better protect Marines. A slightly larger MRAP, the Cougar HE, produced by Force Protection Industries, is a category 2 MRAP in a 6x6 configuration. At a weight of 52,000 pounds, or 26 tons, the Cougar H can accommodate 12 soldiers, at a speed of 65 miles per hour, with a range of 600 miles. Powered by a 330 horsepower Diesel engine, the Cougar HE can operate in nearly all environments, from the desert to urban settings.

The largest of MRAP's, the category 3 Buffalo, also produced by Force Protection, is also in a 6x6 configuration. While a larger vehicle, it only carries 6 soldiers, because they are used mostly in IED removal and destruction, so they are heavily up-armored. Weighing in at a whopping 23 tons, the vehicle is powered by a 450 horsepower Diesel engine, in order to operate its remote claw, for pickup of IED's.

All in all, MRAP's are the future of troop transportation in theaters of combat which feature many explosive devices. Able to protect soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from deadly blasts, they are sure to be a winner. The price is high for MRAP's, but not as high as the life of a service member.

Sources:

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/mrap-vehicle-order-1000-cougars-to-be-turned-loose-03243/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cougar_%28vehicle%29#Cougar_HE_.286.C3.976.29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRAP_(armored_vehicle)
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/more-mraps-1200-maxxpro-mpvs-from-navistar-03344/
http://www.forceprotection.net/models/buffalo/