MRAP (armored vehicle)

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Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles are a family of armored fighting vehicles designed to survive IED attacks and ambushes. IEDs cause the majority (63%) of US deaths in Iraq.^[1] There is no common design; there are several vendors, each with a competing entry.^[2] Brig. General Michael Brogan of the United States Marine Corps is in charge of the MRAP program, for which the Marines are the lead service.^[3] The Marine Corps had planned to replace all HMMWVs in combat zones with MRAP vehicles, although this appears to have changed.^[4][5][6][7] As armored vehicles are considered an "urgent need" in Iraq and Afghanistan, this program is primarily funded under an "emergency war budget". On 2007-05-08 Defense Secretary Robert Gates stated that the acquisition of MRAPs are the Department of Defense highest priority, ^[8] so for fiscal year 2007 US$1.1 billion is earmarked for MRAP .^[9]

Several criticisms of the MRAP program have been its lack of a common design, which presents a wartime logistical challenge, the vehicle's inability to withstand EFP attacks, and the relatively few number of units which have been delivered to Iraq and Afghanistan, despite large orders.^[10] However, some analysts see the diversity of MRAP vehicles as an advantage.^[11] Other criticisms include the vehicle's weight and size, which severely limit its mobility off main roads, in urban areas, and over bridges.^[12] Its heft also restricts several of the vehicles from being transported by C-130 cargo aircraft. Although three MRAP vehicles will fit in a C-17 aircraft, airlifting is extremely expensive at $750,000 per vehicle, estimated by the U.S. Transportation Command.^[13] For comparison, sealifting costs around $13,000 per vehicle, but takes between three and four weeks for the vehicle to arrive in theater.^[14][15] For these reasons, in December 2007, the Marine Corps reduced its request from 3700 vehicles to 2300.^[16] 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 as additional vehicles may be sent to Afghanistan where commanders are requesting them.^[17][18]

This program is very similar to the US Army's Medium Mine Protected Vehicle program.^[19]

Contents 1 Design 2 Orders 2.1 MRAP Program 2.2 Parallel Programs 3 Categories 3.1 Category 1 (MRAP-MRUV) 3.2 Category 2 (MRAP-JERRV) 3.3 Category 3 4 Criticisms 4.1 Effectiveness 5 MRAP II 6 References 7 See also 8 External links

[edit] Design

MRAP vehicles usually have "V" shaped hulls to deflect away any explosive forces originating below the vehicle, thereby protecting the vehicle and its passenger compartment. Typically these explosions are from land mines, but they can also be IEDs. This design dates to the 1970s when it was first introduced in 1978 with the South African Buffel armoured personnel carrier. Derivatives of these vehicles have since been used by various military forces around the world.

Multiple contracts have been placed by the United States for this type of vehicle in response to the situation in the Iraq War. 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 mills in the United States, Oregon Steel Mills, Inc. and International Steel Group, qualified to produce armored steel for the Defense Department, which has been in negotiations to ensure enough steel is available to keep pace with production.^[20] The concept is to replace HMMWV type vehicles with a more robust, survivable vehicle when on patrol "outside the wire."

Designs were submitted by the following companies.

• Armor Holdings (which announced its purchase by BAE Systems on 7 May 2007)^[21]
• BAE Systems
• Force Protection Inc (FPI)
• General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS)
• General Purpose Vehicles (GPV)
• Navistar International Military Group (IMG)
• Oshkosh Truck
• Protected Vehicles Incorporated (PVI)
• Textron Marine and Land 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.^[22]

[edit] Orders

[edit] MRAP Program

Just in 2007, the Pentagon has ordered the production of about 10,000 MRAPs at a cost of over US$500,000 each, and the Pentagon plans to order more MRAPs. ^[23] 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.^[24]
• On 2007-02-14, the Marine Corps Systems Command placed a US$67.4 million delivery order for 65 Category I Cougar H, and 60 Category II Cougar HE vehicles,^[25] 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, Pennsylvania.
• 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.^[26]
• On 2007-05-31, the Marine Corps Systems Command ordered 1200 Category 1 International MaxxPros at a cost of $623M.^[27]
• 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.^[28]
• On 2007-06-19, the Navy placed an order on behalf of the Marine Corps and Army 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.^[29]
• On 2007-06-28, amended 2007-07-16, BAE 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, out of their total allotment of 333 vehicles, and 16 RG-33L Category II Ambulance variants, which are the first vehicles in the competition specifically listed for the ambulance role.^[30][31]
• On 2007-07-13, Stewart & Stevenson (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.^[32]
• On 2007-07-20, IMG received an additional order for 755 Cat I MaxxPro MRAP vehicles. ^[33]
• On 2007-08-06, General Dynamics Land Systems received an order for 600 MRAP Cat II RG-31 vehicles. The contract is worth $338.7 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.^{[34] [35]}
• 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.^[36]
• 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.^[37][38]
• 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).^[39]
• 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).^[40]

2008 Information

• On 2008-01-02, Assembly-line workers proudly present military personnel with the 1,000th International MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.^[41]

[edit] 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 vehicles and an additional 369 M1117 ASVs.^[42]

[edit] Categories

The MRAP class is separated into three categories which describe the vehicle's weight class and size.

[edit] 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:

• Armor Holdings Caiman — 2,800 ordered.^[43][44][45]
• BAE OMC RG-31^[46]
• BAE RG-33 4x4^[47]
• Force Protection Cougar H 4x4 - 1,560 vehicles ordered. ^[48][49]
• International MaxxPro — 5,250 vehicles ordered. ^[50][51][52]
• 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.^[53]
• 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".^[54][55]

[edit] Category 2 (MRAP-JERRV)

The Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Rapid Response Vehicle (JERRV) is designed for missions including convoy lead, troop transport, ambulance, explosive ordnance disposal and combat engineering.

Category 2 MRAP vehicles ordered or currently in service:

• Force Protection Cougar HE 6x6 — 950 vehicles ordered.^[56]
• BAE RG-33L 6x6
• GDLS RG-31E — 600 vehicles order.[1]
• Oshkosh Truck/Thales Australia Bushmaster IMV — 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."^[57]
• Protected Vehicles Inc Golan Armored Vehicle
• International MaxxPro XL — 16 vehicles ordered.^[58]
• Armor Holdings Caiman — 16 vehicles ordered ^[59]

[edit] Category 3

• Force Protection Buffalo
• Dedicated mine/IED clearing function.
• Seating to carry 6 personnel.

[edit] Criticisms

The deployment of MRAP vehicles has not been without criticisms. The most common are concerns about the high cost, potential logistical difficulties due to high fuel consumption and varied designs, and greater disconnection between troops and the local population, which conflicts with the current counter-insurgency (COIN) strategy, and how the vehicles will fit into the US Military structure following a US withdrawal from the current conflict in Iraq.^[60][61] MRAP funding has pulled money away from other tactical vehicle programs, most noticeably the HMMWV replacement, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, which has been delayed by two years.^[62] The MRAP has been well received in the field, however, where soldiers are grateful for a vehicle designed around their needs.^{[63] [64]}

[edit] Effectiveness

The MRAP may not be effective against Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFP), which use a shaped charge to form a hypervelocity jet of metal, capable of cutting through thick armor. Use of EFPs more than doubled in 2006 and is expected to continue to increase.^{[65] [66]} 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.^[67] 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 6 armor, which adds significant weight, as well as width to the already large and heavy vehicle.^[68]

On 2008-01-19 a 3rd Infantry Division U.S. Army soldier, Richard B. Burress of Naples, Florida (the exposed turret gunner), was killed in a Navistar MaxxPro MRAP vehicle by an ANFO IED estimated at 600lbs.^[69] 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.^{[70][71][72][73]}

[edit] 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 penetrators.^[74] In addition, the new solicitation will 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.^[75] Full text of the solicitation can be found here.

Ceradyne announced the introduction of the Ceradyne Bull, a vehicle designed to complement the MRAP and MMPV programs, on 2007-06-07 .^[76] This vehicle differs from most existing MRAP vehicles in that it claims to be able to defeat Explosively Formed Penetrator type IEDs.^[77] On 2007-07-27, OshKosh announced an agreement with Ceradyne Inc. and Ideal Innovations Inc. to develop the Bull on a current combat-proven OshKosh chassis.^[78] Both 6-man (category 1) and 10-man (category 2) Bulls were delivered to Aberdeen Test Center in October 2007 as OshKosh Trucks' official MRAP II proposal.^[79] See a picture of the Ceradyne Bull here.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• ATF Dingo
• Buffalo
• Bull
• Bushmaster IMV
• Caiman
• Cheetah
• Cougar
• Grizzly APC
• High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
• MaxxPro

[edit] External links

• Associated Press article about MRAPs in Iraq (9 May 2008)
• United States Marine Corps article
• Global Security
• Billions Needed for New Armored Trucks
• Blast Resistant vs Armored
• MRAP - on Defense Update.com
• International Trucks/Plasan Sasa MRAP
• Pentagon balked at pleas from officers in field for safer vehicles (USA Today 7-16-07)
• Troops receive their first MaxxPro MRAPs in Iraq (video)
• Study Faults Delay of Armored Trucks for Iraq