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Product Type: |
Family of Armored Wheeled Vehicles |
Using Service (US): |
Army and Marine Corps (USMC) |
Program Status: |
Upgrades and Sustainment |
Prime Contractor: |
Oshkosh Corporation (M-ATV) |
The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles are a family of armored wheeled military vehicles used by the U.S. Army and
U.S. Marine Corps. The MRAP Family was designed to provide multimission vehicle platforms capable of mitigating Improvised
Explosive Devices (IED). IEDs have caused many casualties in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the MRAP Family was developed
to counter this new threat. Also, MRAP vehicles provide protection against underbody mines and small arms fire threats.
The vast Majority of MRAPs were purchased by the U.S. military in fiscal years 2007 and 2008. From FY2009, only the MRAP M-ATV is being procured.
The U.S. Military is operating and sustaining four vehicle categories, including MRAP Category I, MRAP Category II,
MRAP Category III, and the MRAP-All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV). To date, seven different vehicle designs have been purchased
from five different contractors, including BAE Systems, Force Protection Industries (FPI), General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS),
NAVISTAR Defense, and Oshkosh Corporation.
The Category I MRAP Mine Resistant Utility Vehicle (MRUV) is used for urban combat operations and as ambulance.
Cat-I includes the BAE Systems TVS Caiman, the GDLS RG-31A2, the FPI Cougar 4x4, and the NAVISTAR Defense MaxxPro.
The Category II MRAP Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicle (JERRV) is used as convoy lead
vehicle, troop transport, ambulance, and utility vehicle. Cat-II includes the FPI Cougar 6x6 and BAE Systems RG-33L.
The Category III MRAP is used for Mine/IED clearance operations and explosive ordnance disposal. Cat-III includes
the FPI Buffalo MRV.
The Oshkosh MRAP-All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) 4x4 is the newest variant in the MRAP Family. It offers the same level of
armored protection as previous MRAPs but with better mobility. In Afghanistan, MRAPs had struggled with the rocky terrain,
thus creating the need for a more mobile vehicle. The M-ATV incorporates the TAK-4 independent suspension system, which is designed
to operate in the most extreme conditions enabling it to take rubble and rocks head on. The M-ATV is available in a base variant
as well as in special forces, ambulance, multi-mission, base upgrade, and cargo variants. In October 2009, the first M-ATVs
arrived in Afghanistan. The M-ATV has a crew of five including the gunner and is powered by a 7.2 liter Caterpillar C7 diesel
engine with 370 hp. It can travel at speeds up to 65 mph with a range of 320 miles.
The M-ATV MRAP can be equipped with an M240 7.62mm machine gun, or an Mk 19 40mm grenade launcher, or the Raytheon BGM-71 TOW II anti-tank missile system.
The unit cost of the Oshkosh M-ATV was $470,000 in 2010.
The MRAP Family of Vehicles provides multi-mission vehicular platforms capable of mitigating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), underbody mines, and small arms fire threats, which are currently the greatest casualty producers in Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).
Provides $127.9 million for modifications in support of U.S. Army MRAP vehicles. The budget implements the Army's plan to upgrade the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) fleet returning from theater for long-term Army requirements. Specific upgrades include additional underbody armor for improved survivability, suspension upgrades for improved mobility, and digital/communications and safety upgrades. Upgrades will also consolidate MRAP variant types and reduce MRAP fleet sustainment costs.
FY 2013 OCO funds in the amount of $927.4 million will upgrade MRAP vehicles to common configurations used in theater. Caiman variant upgrades will be conducted at the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) BAE Systems' facility in Sealy, Texas. The Army plans to transition MaxxPro vehicle upgrades from the OEM Navistar Defense in West Point, Massachusetts to Red River Army Depot when feasible. This request complies with the DoD's funding guidance for the MRAP OCO funding request to include costs to retrograde and repair MRAP vehicles to their original or upgraded capability. The upgrades will consolidate variant types, reduce MRAP fleet sustainment costs, and facilitate type classification and full materiel release for MRAP enduring force vehicles. Specific upgrades include, but are not limited to: 1. Survivability (additional underbody armor), 2. Mobility (suspension upgrades) and 3. Safety fixes. FY 13 is the first year for Army/individual Service OCO requests following close out of the MRAP Joint OCO Transfer Fund in FY12. For more information, click to see the Complete FY 2013 MRAP Modification Budget.
Source: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Oshkosh Corporation
Last Update: June 25, 2012.
By Joakim Kasper Oestergaard (www.kostergaard.com)
Oshkosh Defense: M-ATV
YouTube: M-ATV | YouTube Videos
Fact Sheet: Not Available
MRAP U.S. Defense Budget Charts: |
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Primary Function: Multi-mission armored vehicle |
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