The US Marines have requested engineers build a hardier off-road version of the mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle for use in Afghanistan.
Marine corps commandant James T Conway expressed the desire for an off-road version of the current MRAP vehicle to assist the 8,000 troops currently headed for Afghanistan.
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The 16t vehicle has proved itself by saving lives in Iraq but struggles on poor roads and is known to get bogged down in the Afghan terrain.
Conway said that a prototype with independent wheel suspension had already been tested.
“Unfortunately, initial modifications to the V-shaped hull reduced the vehicles resistance to roadside bombs. It didn’t work very well – the dummies inside all died,” Conway said.
A newer modification process, however, has started with more positive results.
“The long-term use of MRAPs in the marine corps is going to be very positive, and we can do it all at a fraction of the cost of pursuing a new line of vehicles,” said Conway.
The marine corps currently has around 2,200 MRAPs in service.
By Daniel Garrun.
