Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (
MRAP) vehicles are a family of armored fighting vehicles designed to survive
IEDAn improvised explosive device is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
attacks and
ambushAn ambush is a long-established military tactic, in which the aggressors use concealment to attack a passing enemy. Ambushers strike from concealed positions, such as among dense underbrush or behind hilltops. Ambushes have been used consistently throughout history, from ancient to modern warfare...
es. IEDs cause the majority (63%) of US deaths
in IraqThe Iraq War, also known as the Occupation of Iraq or Operation Iraqi Freedom, is an ongoing military campaign which began on March 20, 2003 with the invasion of Iraq by a multinational force led by troops from the United States and the United Kingdom.Prior to the war, the governments of the United...
. There is no common MRAP vehicle design; there are several vendors, each with a competing entry. Brig. General Michael Brogan of the
United States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for providing force projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
is in charge of the MRAP program, for which the Marines are the lead service. The Marine Corps had planned to replace all HMMWVs in combat zones with MRAP vehicles, although this appears to have changed. As armored vehicles are considered an "urgent need" in Iraq and Afghanistan, this program is primarily funded under an "emergency war budget". On 8 May 2007,
Secretary of DefenseThe United States Secretary of Defense is the head of the U.S. Department of Defense , concerned with the armed services and military matters. This position roughly corresponds to Minister of defense in other countries...
Robert GatesRobert Michael Gates is currently serving as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense. He took office on December 18, 2006. Prior to this, Gates served for 26 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council, and under President George H. W. Bush as Director of...
stated that the acquisition of MRAPs are the
Department of DefenseThe United States Department of Defense is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the military...
highest priority, so for fiscal year 2007
US$The United States dollar is the unit of currency of the United States. The U.S. dollar is normally abbreviated as the dollar sign, $, or as USD or US$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies and from others that use the $ symbol. It is divided into 100 cents .The U.S...
1.1 billion is earmarked for MRAP . Gates decided to ramp up MRAP orders after the Marines reported in 2004 that no troops had died in more than 300 IED attacks on Cougars As of May 6, 2008 eight soldiers had been reported killed in the thousands of MRAPs in Iraq, according to news service
Knight RidderKnight Ridder was an American media company, specializing in newspaper and Internet publishing. Until it was bought by The McClatchy Company on June 27, 2006, it was the second-largest newspaper publisher in the United States, with 32 daily newspapers....
.
In June 2008,
USA TodayUSA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth...
reported that roadside bomb attacks and fatalities were down almost 99% partially due to MRAPs. "They've taken hits, many, many hits that would have killed soldiers and Marines in uparmored Humvees," according to Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of StaffThe Joint Chiefs of Staff is a group of military leaders in the United States armed forces who advise the civilian government of the United States...
. Maj. General Rick Lynch, who commanded a division in Baghdad, told USA Today the 14-ton MRAPs have forced insurgents to build bigger, more sophisticated bombs to knock out the vehicles. Those bombs take more time and resources to build and set up, which gives U.S. forces a better chance of catching the insurgents in the act and then attacking them.
Several criticisms of the MRAP program have been its lack of a common design, which presents a wartime logistical challenge, and the relatively few number of units which have been delivered to Iraq and Afghanistan, despite large orders. However, some analysts see the diversity of MRAP vehicles as an advantage. Other criticisms include the vehicle's weight and size, which severely limit its mobility off main roads, in urban areas, and over bridges. 72 percent of the world's bridges cannot hold the MRAP. Its heft also restricts several of the vehicles from being transported by C-130 cargo aircraft or the amphibious ships that carry Marine equipment and supplies. Although three MRAP vehicles will fit in a
C-17 aircraftThe Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. The C-17 was developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. The aircraft carries on the name of two previous United States military cargo aircraft, the C-74 Globemaster and...
, airlifting is extremely expensive at $750,000 per vehicle, estimated by the U.S. Transportation Command. In an effort to rush more vehicles to the theatre, the US Air Force even contracted several Russian
AntonovAntonov, or Antonov Aeronautical Scientist/Technical Complex , formerly the Antonov Design Bureau, is a Ukraine-based aircraft manufacturing and services company with particular expertise in the field of very large aircraft construction.Antonov ASTC is a state-owned commercial...
An-124 heavy cargo aircraft, which became a familiar sight in the skies above cities such as Charleston, SC where some MRAPs are produced. For comparison, sealifting costs around $13,000 per vehicle, but takes between three and four weeks for the vehicle to arrive in theater. For these reasons, in December 2007, the Marine Corps reduced its request from 3700 vehicles to 2300. The Army is also reassessing its MRAP requirements in Iraq although there is no sign that they intend to reduce the number of vehicles it intends to procure. Additional vehicles may be sent to Afghanistan where commanders are requesting them.
This program is very similar to the US Army's
Medium Mine Protected VehicleThe Medium Mine Protected Vehicle is a class of armored vehicles currently being procured by the US Army, similar to the MRAP program, which is currently being pursued by the US Army as well as the US Marine Corps...
program.
Design
MRAP vehicles usually have
"V" shaped hullsThe V-hull is a type of vehicle armor design used on wheeled armored personnel carriers , infantry mobility vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles...
to deflect away any explosive forces originating below the vehicle, thereby protecting the vehicle and its passenger compartment. Typically these explosions are from
land mineA land mine is a target triggered explosive weapon. Their non-explosive predecessors have been used on the battlefield since ancient times. Landmines were designed to be used to deter, channel, delay and kill an enemy. They have been used in various formats, for centuries and have featured in all...
s, but they can also be
IEDsAn improvised explosive device is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
. This design dates to the 1970s when it was first introduced in 1978 with the South African
BuffelThe Buffel is a mine-protected APC used by the South African Army during the South African Border War. It was certainly not the most comfortable vehicle, but it offered the necessary protection against mine attack. The Buffel was also used as an armoured fighting vehicle and proved itself in this...
(Buffalo)
armored personnel carrierAn armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
(APC). However, the TSG/FPI Cougar (designed by a British-led US team in 2004 for a USMC requirement), departed from much of the older design philosphy; by applying first-world standards and practises, and providing good growth potential from the outset, the Cougar became the springboard from which the MRAP program was launched.
Multiple contracts have been placed by the United States for this type of vehicle in response to the situation in the
Iraq WarThe Iraq War, also known as the Occupation of Iraq or Operation Iraqi Freedom, is an ongoing military campaign which began on March 20, 2003 with the invasion of Iraq by a multinational force led by troops from the United States and the United Kingdom.Prior to the war, the governments of the United...
. By issuing contracts to several companies, the Marine Corps hopes to accelerate the rate of production, in order to expedite the delivery of vehicles to deployed forces. However, there are only two
steel millA steel mill is an industrial plant for the manufacture of steel.Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. It is produced in a two-stage process...
s in the United States, Oregon Steel Mills, Inc. and
International Steel GroupInternational Steel Group was a steel company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2004 it was ranked #426 on the Fortune 500. It was created after the turn around fund, WL Ross & Co. LLC, purchased LTV Integrated Steel Assets in February 2002...
, qualified to produce armored
steelSteel is an alloy consisting mostly of iron, with a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most cost-effective alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
for the Defense Department, which has been in negotiations to ensure enough steel is available to keep pace with production. The concept is to replace
HMMWVThe High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle is a military 4WD motor vehicle created by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles formerly served by smaller Jeeps such as the M151 1/4 ton MUTT, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the CUCV, and other light trucks...
type vehicles with a more robust, survivable vehicle when on patrol "outside the wire."
Designs were submitted by the following companies.
- Armor Holdings (acquired by BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, Hampshire, England, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is the world's second-largest defence contractor and the largest in Europe...
on 31 July 2007)
- BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in Farnborough, Hampshire, England, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is the world's second-largest defence contractor and the largest in Europe...
- Force Protection Inc
Force Protection, Inc. is a manufacturer of ballistic- and blast-protected vehicles which have been used in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and other hot spots around the world.-Company:...
(FPI)
- General Dynamics Land Systems
In February 1982 Chrysler announced the sale of Chrysler Defense, its profitable defense subsidiary to General Dynamics for US$348.5 million. The sale was completed in March 1982 for the revised figure of US$336.1 million. General Dynamics renamed the division General Dynamics Land Systems. In 2003...
(GDLS)
- General Purpose Vehicles (GPV)
- Navistar International Military Group (IMG)
- Oshkosh Truck
Oshkosh Corporation , once named Oshkosh Truck, is a manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for defense, industrial and fire emergency applications...
- Protected Vehicles Incorporated (PVI)
- Textron
Founded in 1923 as the Special Yarns Company by Royal Little, Textron , today is a multi-industry company with a portfolio of familiar brands such as Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Cessna Aircraft, and Greenlee, among others...
Marine and Land SystemsTextron Marine & Land Systems is a military contractor that manufactures armored vehicles, turrets, boats, light tanks, and other weapon systems...
Although early orders were placed with many of the contenders (see below), as of 18 October 2007, only IMG, FPI, and BAE remain in the competition for additional orders.
MRAP Program
Just in 2007, US Military has ordered the production of about 10,000 MRAPs at a cost of over US$500,000 each, and planned to order more MRAPs.
Partial list of orders under the MRAP program:
- On 2007-01-30, FPI received an order for 2 Cougar H and 2 Cougar HE vehicles for testing and evaluation by the USMC for the MRAP program.
- On 2007-02-14, the Marine Corps Systems Command
-Mission:Serve as the Commandant's principal agent for acquisition and sustainment of systems and equipment used by the operating forces to accomplish their warfighting mission.-Product Groups:Information Systems & Infrastructure* TFITS* TDIS* MCHS* AIT...
placed a US$67.4 million delivery order for 65 Category I Cougar H, and 60 Category II Cougar HE vehicles, as well as a US$55.4 million delivery order 15 Category I BAE RG-33 vehicles, and 75 Category II BAE RG-33L vehicles, built in York, PennsylvaniaYork, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in South Central Pennsylvania. The population was 40,862 at the 2000 census. York is the county seat of York County, and is located at...
.
- On 2007-04-24, the Marine Corps Systems Command placed a USD $481.4 million order with Force Protection for 300 Category 1 Cougar H vehicles and 700 Category II Cougar HEs.
- On 2007-05-31, the Marine Corps Systems Command ordered 1200 Category 1 International MaxxPros at a cost of $623M.
- On 2007-06-01, FPI received an order for 14 Category III Buffalo vehicles from the Marine Corps Systems Command. The contract is worth an approximate US$11.9 million and is scheduled for completion by spring 2008.
- On 2007-06-19, the Navy
The United States Navy is the sea branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. As of 31 December 2008, the U.S. Navy had about 331,682 personnel on active duty and 124,000 in the Navy Reserve. It operates 283 ships in active service and more than...
placed an order on behalf of the Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for providing force projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and ArmyThe United States Army is the branch of the United States Military responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military and is one of seven uniformed services...
for 395 Category 1, 60 Category 2 Force Protection Cougars at a cost of US$221 million, and for 16 Category 2 International MaxxPro XLs for the sum of US$8 million.
- On 2007-06-28, amended 2007-07-16, BAE Systems received a US$235.8 million order for 16 RG-33 Category I patrol vehicles, 239 RG-33L Category II vehicles, 170 RG-33 Cat I variants for the United States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command is the Unified Combatant Command charged with overseeing the various Special Operations Commands of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense...
, out of their total allotment of 333 vehicles, and 16 RG-33L Category II AmbulanceAn ambulance is a vehicle for transporting sick or injured people, to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury. The term ambulance is used to describe a vehicle used to bring medical care to patients outside of the hospital or to transport the patient to hospital for follow-up...
variants, which are the first vehicles in the competition specifically listed for the ambulance role.
- On 2007-07-13, Stewart & Stevenson
Stewart & Stevenson is a Houston, Texas-based manufacturer of oil industry and military equipment, most notably the U.S. military's Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. The company has been based in Houston since 1902 and started as a carriage repair and horseshoeing company...
(Armor Holdings) received an order for 1,154 Category I and 16 Category II MRAP vehicles from the Marine Corps Systems Command. The vehicles are for delivery by February 2008 and the order is worth US$518.5 million.
- On 2007-07-20, IMG received an additional order for 755 Cat I MaxxPro MRAP vehicles.
- On 2007-08-06, General Dynamics Land Systems Canada received an order for 600 MRAP Cat II RG-31 vehicles. The contract is worth $338.7 million USD. Manufacturing will be done by the Demmer Corporation of Lansing, MI, in addition to BAE OMC of Benoni, South Africa. Deliveries will be completed by March, 2008.
- On 2007-08-10, the Marine Corps Systems Command placed a USD $69.8m order with Force Protection for 25 Category 1 Cougar H vehicles and 100 Category II Cougar HEs.
- On 2007-10-18, the Pentagon placed additional orders for 1,000 Category I vehicles from IMG ($509M), 533 Category I and 247 Category II vehicles from Force Protection ($377M), and 399 standard Category II, 112 ambulance configured Category II RG-33L vehicles ($278M) from BAE Systems. BAE also received a separate $44M order for 89 RG33 Mod 5 (Category I) vehicles, for the US Special Operations Command. GDLS and Armor Holdings were informed that they will receive no further orders in the MRAP program.
- On 2007-12-18, the US military placed its final orders of 2007. These went to Navistar for 1,500 Category I MaxxPros ($1.12B), BAE for 600 Category II vehicles ($645M), Armor Holdings (though BAE) for 668 Category II vehicles ($458M), and Force Protection for 178 Category I and 180 Category II Cougars ($378M).
- On 2008-03-14, the US military placed its first orders of 2008. 1024 Category II Caiman's were ordered from BAE ($481.8M), 743 Category I MaxxPros were ordered from Navistar ($410.7M), and special command vehicles and ambulances were ordered from BAE ($234M).
- On 2008-07-17, the US Marine Corps System Command placed an order with General Dynamics Land Systems Canada for 773 RG31 Category I MRAPs ($552M) for delivery by April 2009.
2008 Information
- On 2008-01-02, Navistar Defense produced the 1,000th International MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.
2009 Information
Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded a $1,064,463,100 firm-fixed-priced delivery order under previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract W56HZV-09-D-0111 to exercise an option for 1,700 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) All Terrain Vehicles. The Navy contract value is $1,064,463,100. A similar Army contract for 1,700 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) All Terrain Vehicles
is valued at a further $1,063,700,000.
Parallel Programs
Orders of vehicles associated with the MRAP program:
- On 2007-06-19 the US Army ordered an additional 44 BAE RG-31 Mk 5
The RG-31 Nyala is a 4x4 multi-purpose mine-protected armoured personnel carrier manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC a division of BAE Systems. It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries...
vehicles and an additional 369 M1117 ASVs.
Categories
The MRAP class is separated into three categories which describe the vehicle's weight class and size.
Category 1 (MRAP-MRUV)
The Mine Resistant Utility Vehicle (MRUV) is smaller and lighter, designed for urban operations.
Category 1 MRAP vehicles ordered or currently in service:
- BAE Caiman 4x4
The Caiman is an armored vehicle with a V-hull design based on the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles and Low Signature Armored Cab , initially developed by Stewart & Stevenson. Stewart & Stevenson was later acquired by Armor Holdings in 2005 who developed the Caiman from the FMTV and LSAC designs...
- 2,800 ordered.
- BAE OMC RG-31
The RG-31 Nyala is a 4x4 multi-purpose mine-protected armoured personnel carrier manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC a division of BAE Systems. It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries...
- BAE RG-33
The RG-33 is a mine-resistant light armored vehicle designed by BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa a South African subsidiary of BAE Systems and built in York, Pennsylvania, USA. It is one of several vehicles being fielded by the US Armed Forces in Iraq under the MRAP program...
4x4
- Force Protection Cougar H 4x4
The Cougar is an armored fighting vehicle designed to be resistant to anti-vehicle mines and improvised munitions.-Overview:The Cougar is a family of armored vehicles produced by Force Protection Inc, which manufactures ballistic and mine-protected vehicles. The automotives are integrated by...
- 1,560 vehicles ordered.
- International MaxxPro
The International MaxxPro MPV is an armored fighting vehicle designed by Navistar International's subsidiary Navistar Defense along with the Israeli Plasan Sasa, who designed and manufactures the vehicle's armor...
- 5,250 vehicles ordered.
- Textron M1117 Guardian - Removed from competition. As of May 18 2007, has been notified by the USMC that they will not be receiving any additional orders as part of the MRAP program.
- Protected Vehicles Inc./Oshkosh Truck Alpha - Although 100 vehicles were initially ordered, OshKosh were notified by the Marine Corps on June 29, that they would receive no further orders for the PVI Alpha due to "concern regarding overall vehicle survivability" and other fundamental design deficiencies of an automotive and ergonomic nature, adding that remediation "would require significant redesign".
Category 2 (MRAP-JERRV)
The Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Rapid Response Vehicle (JERRV) is designed for missions including
convoyA convoy is a group of vehicles traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval convoys have been used for hundreds...
lead, troop transport,
ambulanceAn ambulance is a vehicle for transporting sick or injured people, to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury. The term ambulance is used to describe a vehicle used to bring medical care to patients outside of the hospital or to transport the patient to hospital for follow-up...
, explosive ordnance disposal and
combat engineeringCombat engineering is a combat arms role of using the knowledge, tools and techniques of engineering by troops in peace and war, but specifically in combat...
.
Category 2 MRAP vehicles ordered or currently in service:
- Force Protection Cougar HE 6x6
The Cougar is an armored fighting vehicle designed to be resistant to anti-vehicle mines and improvised munitions.-Overview:The Cougar is a family of armored vehicles produced by Force Protection Inc, which manufactures ballistic and mine-protected vehicles. The automotives are integrated by...
- 950 vehicles ordered.
- BAE RG-33L 6x6
The RG-33 is a mine-resistant light armored vehicle designed by BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa a South African subsidiary of BAE Systems and built in York, Pennsylvania, USA. It is one of several vehicles being fielded by the US Armed Forces in Iraq under the MRAP program...
- GDLS RG-31E
The RG-31 Nyala is a 4x4 multi-purpose mine-protected armoured personnel carrier manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC a division of BAE Systems. It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries...
- 600 vehicles ordered.
- Oshkosh Truck/Thales Australia Bushmaster IMV
The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle or Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian-built wheeled armoured vehicle. It was originally designed by Irish company Timoney Technology Ltd under a licence agreement with Perry Engineering in Adelaide; that licence was sold, with permission granted by...
- Has been removed from the competition as of 2007-08-07. According to a Thales press release, "The Thales Bushmaster vehicle offer for the US MRAP Phase 1 Program was not selected due to an evolving requirement, not due to a lack of marketing or lobbying effort…. Thales and Oshkosh remain confident of future potential sales of Bushmaster under ongoing Phases of MRAP in the US."
- Protected Vehicles Inc Golan
The Golan Wheeled Armored Vehicle is a prototype Israeli infantry fighting vehicle made by the Israeli RAFAEL Armament Development Authority jointly with the American Protected Vehicles Incorporated...
- 60 vehicles initially ordered, then when the Golan was eliminated from the competition all vehicles were discarded by the Marines.
- International MaxxPro XL
The International MaxxPro MPV is an armored fighting vehicle designed by Navistar International's subsidiary Navistar Defense along with the Israeli Plasan Sasa, who designed and manufactures the vehicle's armor...
- 16 vehicles ordered.
- BAE Caiman 6x6
The Caiman is an armored vehicle with a V-hull design based on the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles and Low Signature Armored Cab , initially developed by Stewart & Stevenson. Stewart & Stevenson was later acquired by Armor Holdings in 2005 who developed the Caiman from the FMTV and LSAC designs...
- 16 vehicles ordered.
Category 3
- Force Protection Buffalo MRV
The Buffalo mine protected vehicle built by Force Protection Inc is based on the successful South African Casspir mine-protected vehicle. As of late 2004, the United States has a limited number of Buffaloes in service, with an order for 15 more, at a cost of $10 million.While the Casspir is a four...
- Dedicated mine/IED clearing function.
- Seating to carry 6 personnel.
Criticisms
The deployment of MRAP vehicles has not been without criticisms. The most common are concerns about the high cost ($17.6 billion program), potential logistical difficulties due to high fuel consumption and varied designs, a greater disconnection between troops and the local population due to their massive size and menacing look (conflicting with current
counter-insurgency (COIN)Counter-insurgency is a military term for the armed conflict against an insurgency by forces aligned with the recognised government of the territory in which the conflict takes place...
strategy), and what US Military will do with them following a US withdrawal from the current conflict in Iraq since they are expensive to transport and operate (some speculate they may be sold or donated to Iraq, or put in storage in America.) MRAP funding has pulled money away from other tactical vehicle programs, most noticeably the HMMWV replacement, the
Joint Light Tactical VehicleThe Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is a U.S. Army, USSOCOM, and U.S. Marine Corps program to replace the current HMMWV with a family of more survivable vehicles and greater payload...
, which has been delayed by two years.
According to
Army TimesArmy Times is an independent weekly newspaper serving active, reserve and retired United States Army and United States National Guard personnel and their families, providing career-related news and information as well as community and lifestyle features, educational supplements, and resource...
, some troops openly wonder about the design of some versions of the MRAP. Some examples are: why the rear seats face inward and not outward in such a way they could fire their weapons through ports, which some versions lack. The height and steepness of the dropdown stairs at the rear of the some versions can make getting out of the vehicle dangerous. Troops riding in the rear can hit their head on the ceiling from bouncing up and down in rough terrain. Medics told the Army Times that a soldier broke his neck after bouncing his head off the overhead, and another is said to have seriously damaged his skull after slamming into a protruding bolt in the overhead while wearing a soft cover.
The MRAP has been well received in the field, however, where soldiers are grateful for a vehicle designed around their needs and would much rather be hit by an IED in an MRAP than a Humvee.
Rollovers and Electric Shock
A June 13 report by the Marine Corps Center for Lessons Learned indicated concerns about MRAP vehicles rolling over in combat zones. See a video of an MRAP vehicle rollover
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=70d_1191865225. The V-shaped hulls of the MRAP give it a higher center of gravity and the weight of the MRAP can cause the poorly built or maintained roads in rural Iraq or Afghanistan to collapse. Of the 66 MRAP accidents between Nov. 7, 2007 and June 8, 2008, almost 40 were due to rollovers caused by bad roads, weak bridges, or driver error. In many of the rollovers troops were injured, and in two separate incidents five soldiers have been killed by rolling over into a canal and getting trapped under water. The report said 75% of all rollovers occurred in rural areas often when the road is above grade and a ditch or canal full of water is next to it. The same report raised concerns associated with MRAP vehicles snagging on low hanging powerlines in Iraq or its antennas getting close enough to create an electric arc, which may lead to electrocution of passengers. The person located in the gunner's hatch is at the highest risk.
Effectiveness
The MRAP may not be effective against
Explosively Formed PenetratorAn explosively formed penetrator , also known as an explosively formed projectile, a self-forging warhead, or a self-forging fragment, is a special type of shaped charge designed to penetrate armour effectively at stand-off distances. They are also used extensively in the oil and gas industry...
s (EFP), which use a
shaped chargeA shaped charge is an explosive charge shaped to focus the effect of the explosive's energy. Various types are used to cut and form metal, initiate nuclear weapons, and penetrate armor...
to form a hypervelocity jet of metal, capable of cutting through four inches of armor. Use of EFPs more than doubled in 2006 and is expected to continue to increase.
In 2007, 11 percent of all roadside bomb fatalities were due to EFPs. However, the Marines estimate that the use of the MRAP could reduce the casualties in Iraq due to IED attacks by as much as 80 percent. The alleged MRAP weakness is being addressed by the next generation MRAP II. As an interim solution, the military is currently installing a variant of the HMMWV's IED defeating
Frag Kit 6Frag Kit 6 is a vehicular armor upgrade kit developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to defeat explosively formed projectiles , a type of improvised explosive device . It is designed to be added on armored vehicles such as the MRAP and uparmored Humvee...
armor, which adds significant weight, as well as width to the already large and heavy vehicle. In July 2008 the US Military reported the number of EFP attacks had dropped by 70 percent.
On 2008-01-19 a 3rd Infantry Division U.S. Army soldier,
Richard B. Burress of Naples, Florida (the exposed
turretA gun turret is a device that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions.A turret is a rotating weapon platform...
gunner), was killed in a Navistar MaxxPro MRAP vehicle by an
ANFOANFO is a widely used explosive mixture. The oil used is most often No. 2 fuel oil, or diesel fuel, but sometimes kerosene, coal dust, or even molasses...
IED estimated at 600lbs. It is unknown whether the gunner was killed by the explosion or by the vehicle when it rolled over after the blast. However, the vehicle’s v-hull was not compromised. The crew compartment also appeared to be uncompromised in the attack, and the three other crew members who were all inside the vehicle survived; one with a shattered left foot, a broken nose and several broken teeth; one with a fractured foot; and the third unhurt. Although this was reported as the first MRAP combat death, later reports clarified that several soldiers had been killed by IEDs in RG-31s and by EFPs in Buffalos before this incident.
MRAP II
On 2007-07-31, the Marine Corps Systems Command launched an MRAP II pre-solicitation, to develop a new vehicle that offers a higher level of protection than the current MRAP vehicles, particularly from advanced threats such as
explosively formed penetratorAn explosively formed penetrator , also known as an explosively formed projectile, a self-forging warhead, or a self-forging fragment, is a special type of shaped charge designed to penetrate armour effectively at stand-off distances. They are also used extensively in the oil and gas industry...
s. While the
Frag Kit 6Frag Kit 6 is a vehicular armor upgrade kit developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to defeat explosively formed projectiles , a type of improvised explosive device . It is designed to be added on armored vehicles such as the MRAP and uparmored Humvee...
was designed to meet the threat of EFPs, the MRAP II competition's purpose was to find a vehicle that didn't need the upgrade kit. The U.S. Army Research laboratory worked to ensure the technologies used in Frag Kit 6 would be available to MRAP II designers.
In addition, the new solicitation was designed to provide the Joint Program Management Office with a greater flexibility to increase production capability and provide vehicles with enhanced protection and performance to meet future near-term requirements. Full text of the solicitation can be found .
The initial testing at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds served to disqualify vehicles that didn’t meet the standard. Competitors who did not receive MRAP-II orders include
Force DynamicsForce Protection, Inc. is a manufacturer of ballistic- and blast-protected vehicles which have been used in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and other hot spots around the world.-Company:...
(reinforced
CougarThe Cougar is an armored fighting vehicle designed to be resistant to anti-vehicle mines and improvised munitions.-Overview:The Cougar is a family of armored vehicles produced by Force Protection Inc, which manufactures ballistic and mine-protected vehicles. The automotives are integrated by...
), GDLS Canada (upgraded BAE OMC
RG-31The RG-31 Nyala is a 4x4 multi-purpose mine-protected armoured personnel carrier manufactured in South Africa by Land Systems OMC a division of BAE Systems. It is based on the Mamba APC of TFM Industries...
),
NavistarNavistar International Corporation is a manufacturer of International brand commercial trucks, MaxxForce brand diesel engines, IC Corporation brand school buses, Workhorse brand chassis for motor homes and step vans, and is a private label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the...
subsidiary IMG (upgraded
MaxxProThe International MaxxPro MPV is an armored fighting vehicle designed by Navistar International's subsidiary Navistar Defense along with the Israeli Plasan Sasa, who designed and manufactures the vehicle's armor...
),
TextronFounded in 1923 as the Special Yarns Company by Royal Little, Textron , today is a multi-industry company with a portfolio of familiar brands such as Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Cessna Aircraft, and Greenlee, among others...
's upgraded M1117, and Protected Vehicles, Inc. (upgraded
GolanThe Golan Wheeled Armored Vehicle is a prototype Israeli infantry fighting vehicle made by the Israeli RAFAEL Armament Development Authority jointly with the American Protected Vehicles Incorporated...
vehicle, with improved side doors and different armor; arrived on last day).
Blackwater USAXe Services LLC is a private military company founded as Blackwater USA in 1997 by Erik Prince and Al Clark. In October 2007, the company was renamed Blackwater Worldwide and was colloquially referred to as "Blackwater"...
(
Grizzly APCThe Grizzly APC is a 22 ton armored personnel carrier designed and manufactured by Blackwater USA, specifically for urban combat.-Design:4x2, 4x4, and 6x6 versions with three different Caterpillar diesel engines are available....
with
Ares EXO Scale appliqué armorImprovised vehicle armour is vehicle armour added in the field that was not originally part of the design or centrally planned.Improvised vehicle armour has appeared on the battlefield for as long as there have been armoured vehicles in existence. In World War II, U.S. tank crews welded spare...
) was later disqualified due to a limited amount of armor in the frontal area of the vehicle.
There were two eventual winners of the competition. The first was an upgraded
CaimanThe Caiman is an armored vehicle with a V-hull design based on the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles and Low Signature Armored Cab , initially developed by Stewart & Stevenson. Stewart & Stevenson was later acquired by Armor Holdings in 2005 who developed the Caiman from the FMTV and LSAC designs...
, originally designed by Armor Holdings which was later acquired by BAE Systems. See a picture of the Caiman . The second winner was the
BullThe Ceradyne BULL is an armored personnel carrier with a v-shaped hull designed in a combined effort between Ceradyne, Ideal Innovations Inc , and Oshkosh in response to the MRAP II competition. The name Ceradyne Bull is a misnomer; "The Bull" is actually a trade-mark of Ideal Innovations, Inc...
, a combined effort between Ideal Innovations Inc,
CeradyneCeradyne, Incorporated, is a Costa Mesa, California, USA, manufacturer of ceramics products traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market.
In addition to producing ceramic components for industrial processes such as silicon foundries and ceramic fuel pellets for nuclear reactors, Ceradyne researches and...
and
OshkoshThere are a few places named Oshkosh in the United States:*Oshkosh, Wisconsin*Oshkosh , Wisconsin*Oshkosh Township, Minnesota*Oshkosh, Nebraska*Oshkosh Township, Wells County, North DakotaOshkosh can also refer to:...
. See a picture of the Bull
here. Both of the winning designs weighed 40,000 lbs or more.
According to the Army Times, the Pentagon has already decided to buy first-generation 14- to 24-ton MRAP Is with extra Frag Kit 6 derived armor, not the 30-ton MRAP IIs, when it places its final MRAP orders. Orders are expected at the end of summer in 2008 after a field commander's report on MRAP. The Army Times also reported the Pentagon may also buy some shorter, lighter MRAPs in their final batch. A senior Pentagon official told them “The roads are caving in" under the weight of current MRAPS and "We want it to weigh less than it weighs now.”
Plans to integrate developing technology
There currently are plans to integrate the
Crows IIThe Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station program, is a remote-control weapon system that provides the operator with theability to acquire and engage targets while inside a vehicle, protected by its armor...
remote weapon station,
Raytheon Quick KillQuick Kill is an active protection system designed to destroy incoming anti-tank missiles, rockets, and grenades. The Quick Kill system is being designed and produced by Raytheon for the U.S. Army. The Quick Kill system is part of the Army's Future Combat Systems.-Design:Quick Kill detects...
active anti-
RPGA rocket-propelled grenade is any hand-held, shoulder-launched anti-tank weapon capable of firing an unguided rocket equipped with an explosive warhead....
system, the
Frag Kit 6Frag Kit 6 is a vehicular armor upgrade kit developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to defeat explosively formed projectiles , a type of improvised explosive device . It is designed to be added on armored vehicles such as the MRAP and uparmored Humvee...
anti-
EFPAn explosively formed penetrator , also known as an explosively formed projectile, a self-forging warhead, or a self-forging fragment, is a special type of shaped charge designed to penetrate armour effectively at stand-off distances. They are also used extensively in the oil and gas industry...
armor, and the
BoomerangBoomerang is a Gunshot Location Detection System developed by DARPA and BBN Technologies primarily for use against snipers on mobile vehicles such as the Humvee, Stryker, and MRAP combat vehicles...
anti-
sniperA sniper is a highly trained marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles...
system on many MRAPs in combat.
Future MRAPS
On 30 June, 2009, the Department of Defense announced that Oshkosh Defense had been awarded a production contract for 2,244 MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) to address the immediate need for vehicles in Afghanistan.
See also
- ATF Dingo
The ATF Dingo is a German heavily armored military infantry mobility vehicle based on a Unimog chassis with a V-hull design, produced by the company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. It is designed to withstand land mines, rifle fire, artillery fragments and NBC-threats. ATF stands for...
- AMZ Dzik
- AMZ Tur
- Buffalo
The Buffalo mine protected vehicle built by Force Protection Inc is based on the successful South African Casspir mine-protected vehicle. As of late 2004, the United States has a limited number of Buffaloes in service, with an order for 15 more, at a cost of $10 million.While the Casspir is a four...
- Bull
The Ceradyne BULL is an armored personnel carrier with a v-shaped hull designed in a combined effort between Ceradyne, Ideal Innovations Inc , and Oshkosh in response to the MRAP II competition. The name Ceradyne Bull is a misnomer; "The Bull" is actually a trade-mark of Ideal Innovations, Inc...
- Bushmaster IMV
The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle or Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian-built wheeled armoured vehicle. It was originally designed by Irish company Timoney Technology Ltd under a licence agreement with Perry Engineering in Adelaide; that licence was sold, with permission granted by...
- Caiman
- Cheetah
The Cheetah MMPV is built by Force Protection Inc. It is the smallest of Force Protection's line-up, consisting of the...
- Cougar
The Cougar is an armored fighting vehicle designed to be resistant to anti-vehicle mines and improvised munitions.-Overview:The Cougar is a family of armored vehicles produced by Force Protection Inc, which manufactures ballistic and mine-protected vehicles. The automotives are integrated by...
- Grizzly APC
The Grizzly APC is a 22 ton armored personnel carrier designed and manufactured by Blackwater USA, specifically for urban combat.-Design:4x2, 4x4, and 6x6 versions with three different Caterpillar diesel engines are available....
- High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle is a military 4WD motor vehicle created by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles formerly served by smaller Jeeps such as the M151 1/4 ton MUTT, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the CUCV, and other light trucks...
- MaxxPro
The International MaxxPro MPV is an armored fighting vehicle designed by Navistar International's subsidiary Navistar Defense along with the Israeli Plasan Sasa, who designed and manufactures the vehicle's armor...
- RG-33
The RG-33 is a mine-resistant light armored vehicle designed by BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa a South African subsidiary of BAE Systems and built in York, Pennsylvania, USA. It is one of several vehicles being fielded by the US Armed Forces in Iraq under the MRAP program...
External links