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60-562: The Mahindra Mine Protected Vehicle-I (MPV-I), is an Indian MRAP -type armored personnel carrier manufactured by Defense Land Systems , a joint-venture of Mahindra & Mahindra Limited and BAE Systems , the first vehicle made under the venture. It is an improved Casspir variant built under licence. The MPV debuted in 2010, with the design aimed at protection of Indian security forces conducting anti-terrorism and anti- Naxalite operations in India's rugged forested and hilly terrains. It

120-634: A C-17 aircraft, and airlifting is expensive, at $ 150,000 per vehicle. The US Air Force contracted several Russian Antonov An-124 heavy-cargo aircraft, which became a familiar sight above cities such as Charleston, South Carolina , where some MRAPs were produced. For comparison, sealifting costs around $ 13,000 per vehicle, but takes 3–4 weeks. In December 2007, the Marine Corps reduced its request from 3,700 vehicles to 2,300. The Army also reassessed its MRAP requirements. In January 2010, 400 were flown into Afghanistan, increasing to 500

180-642: A L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun , L110A1 Light Machine Gun , L11A1 Heavy Machine Gun or L134A1 40 mm Grenade Machine Gun . One aspect of the British Army's approach to APC/MICV units (which differs to that of the United States) is that the ability of the average soldier to fire accurately out the ports of a moving IFV has been questioned. The large armor plates add side protection from RPGs or IED explosions. The British Army has operated an earlier MPV named "Tempest MPV". As of November 2008,

240-645: A Unimog fitted with a shallow mine-deflecting tub on the chassis to protect the crew. Then came the first generation of purpose-built vehicles, including the Hippo and various other light vehicles. They were essentially armoured V-shaped hulls mounted on truck chassis. The next generation was represented by the Buffel , a Unimog chassis with a mine-protected cab and a mine-protected crew compartment mounted on it. These early vehicles overloaded their chassis and they were clumsy off-road. The Casspir infantry mobility vehicle

300-486: A 10m distance. It can withstand 21 kg of TNT equivalent explosions directly under any wheel, and 14 kg of TNT equivalent explosions directly under the crew compartment. It can carry up to 18 security and paramilitary personnel with full equipment including the crew. The MPV can be armed with a remote controlled weapon station for basic armaments purposes. In August 2011, the first production series vehicles were delivered to Jharkhand Police. In October 2011,

360-458: A combination of design features and materials to protect both the crew and engine compartment against a wide range of attacks. A monocoque type, V-shaped hull extends to the engine bay and serves to direct the blast away from under the vehicle. The dual air-conditioners help keep heavily dressed troops from overheating in temperatures over 100 °F (38 °C) in Iraq. Force Protection, Inc.

420-453: A common design presented a logistic challenge, but the diversity of MRAP vehicles also conferred an advantage. Their weight and size limits their use away from main roads, in urban areas, and over bridges, as 72 percent of the world's bridges cannot support the MRAP. Their heft restricts transport by C-130 cargo aircraft or amphibious ships. Three MRAP vehicles (or five Oshkosh M-ATVs) fit in

480-421: A full product safety-case be developed and maintained from the outset, as well as appropriate training needs analysis and spares predictions. This meant that the new Cougar was capable of being fully operational in a wide range of climatic conditions by fully-equipped and clothed NATO troops, based upon a 95-percentile NATO crewman. The initial USMC requirement, based upon first meetings with Force Protection VPs,

540-649: A majority of MRAP accidents are overturned vehicles. Specialized light armored vehicles designed specifically to resist land mines were first introduced in the 1970s by the Rhodesian Army , and were further developed by South African manufacturers starting in 1974 with the Hippo armored personnel carrier (APC). The first step by the South African Defence Force (SADF) was the Bosvark,

600-675: A month in February, but the goal of 1,000 a month was scaled back because of distribution and training difficulties. On 31 July 2007, the Marine Corps Systems Command launched an MRAP II pre-solicitation to develop a new vehicle with better protection, particularly against such threats as explosively formed penetrators . While the Frag Kit 6 was designed to handle EFPs, the MRAP ;II competition's purpose

660-461: A new vehicle, to have achieved this in some five and a half months was extraordinary. The new design differed in many respects from the earlier South African vehicles, although in order to provide a degree of continuity for government contracting reasons, it retained the name "Cougar" given to two earlier GMC-powered vehicles sold to the US Army. The new Cougar had a single hull bottom-plate that ran

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720-560: A platform for "mission command-on-the-move" to protect command-and-control capabilities while moving across the battlefield. Most MRAPs in Korea were redeployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. North Korean military officials claimed MRAPs would be used to safely cross the DMZ to attack the North, and said the forward deployment of such military hardware disturbed peace and stability. However, by August 2013,

780-493: A specially shaped metal plate at high velocity while simultaneously forming it into an armor-piercing projectile. In Iraq, EFP use more than doubled in 2006. In 2007, 11 percent of all roadside bomb fatalities were due to EFPs. In 2007, the Marines had estimated that MRAPs could reduce IED casualties in Iraq by as much as 80 percent. This MRAP weakness was addressed by the next-generation MRAP II. As an interim solution,

840-564: Is designed for missions including convoy lead, troop transport, ambulance , explosive ordnance disposal and combat engineering . These Category II MRAP vehicles were ordered or are currently in service: In 2004, the United States Marine Corps reported that no troops had died in more than 300 IED attacks on Cougar vehicles. In 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates decided to increase MRAP vehicle orders. On 8 May 2007, Gates announced that acquisition of MRAPs

900-451: Is powered by a ruggedized 230 HP diesel engine , paired with a 6x6 transmission . The MPV offers armored protection to its crew and passengers against ballistic and land mine threats. It uses a V-shaped hull of steel and monocoque construction to direct the force of the blast away from the occupants under a Ural truck chassis. It has been tested to protect against 7.62×51mm NATO , 7.62×39mm Soviet and 5.56×45mm NATO rounds from

960-594: Is unknown whether the gunner was killed by the explosion or by the subsequent vehicle rollover. The v-hull was not compromised. The crew compartment also appeared to be uncompromised, and the three other crew members inside the vehicle survived. Although this was reported as the first MRAP combat death, later reports stated that three soldiers had earlier been killed by IEDs in RG-31s and two by EFPs in Buffalos. As of 6 May 2008, eight soldiers had been reported killed in

1020-928: Is used primarily by the United States Armed Forces and the British Army, as well as law enforcement agencies in the United States. In service with those countries, the Cougar is used in a variety of roles, including the HEV (Hardened Engineer Vehicle) and the Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicles (JERRV) while in service with the US Marine Corps, US Navy Seabees , and US Air Force Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers . Compared to

1080-649: The British Army in 2001; these were fitted with an extra ceramic armored bellyplate for protection against Russian TMRP-6 "tank-killer" mines intended to attack the center of a vehicle. In early 2004 the United States Marine Corps (USMC) visited Force Protection and, having seen a photo-montage of a new design of MRAP on a company brochure, asked if it could be produced and delivered within 6 months of an order for operations in Iraq . The photo

1140-600: The CRPF reported that it had reduced the use of MPVs in operations against Naxalites, since some of the improvised explosive devices were of up to 80 kg, far above the 21 kg limit that the vehicles were designed to withstand due to IEDs and not against anti-tank mines. They were only used in limited roles, such as evacuating casualties. In early 2015, Myanmar Army received 10 MPV-1s with 10 Aditya MRAP as military aid from India in 2006 for use against Assamese rebels operating from Myanmar. MRAP Production of

1200-615: The International Steel Group (now part of ArcelorMittal ). The U.S. Department of Defense negotiated to ensure enough steel was available to keep pace with production. The U.S. military's MRAP program was prompted by U.S. casualties from improvised explosive devices (IED)s during the Iraq War . Vehicle designs from various vendors were deployed as part of the MRAP program. MRAPs usually have V-shaped hulls to deflect explosive forces from land mines or IEDs below

1260-609: The 14-ton MRAPs had forced insurgents to build bigger, more sophisticated bombs. Those bombs are more difficult to build and set up, increasing the chance of catching the insurgents. According to Marinetimes.com , the Taliban focused their efforts away from anti-materiel IEDs and more toward smaller anti-personnel bombs to target soldiers on patrol. The MRAP program is similar to the United States Army 's Medium Mine Protected Vehicle program. The MRAP program's lack of

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1320-529: The 2ID had decided not to utilize the over 80 MRAPs on the peninsula. They determined the vehicles were "not suitable for maneuver battalions to use" and no plans involved adding MRAPs. The vehicles were returned to the Army fleet management system. In 2013 the U.S. government attempted to sell about 2,000 out of the 11,000 MRAPs in Afghanistan. The logistical and financial task of bringing the vehicles back to

1380-660: The 30-ton MRAP II vehicles. The paper also reported that, in addition, the Pentagon might buy some shorter, lighter MRAPs. A senior Pentagon official told them that "the roads are caving in" under the weight of MRAPs and "We want it to weigh less". In 2010 Textron presented the Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicle (SCTV), a protective capsule that can increase Humvee survivability to MRAP levels while significantly improving mobility. SCTV consisted of five kits; all five need to be installed before

1440-557: The Army also led to changes in some of the major sub-systems to ensure even greater commonality with in-service equipment in order to ease training and support. When the first Cougar was built, the USMC were asked if it might be retained for a month or two for testing. They replied that they had an urgent operational need for it in theater, but would take the advice of the VP handling the program about what to do. He said he felt that they should take

1500-555: The British Army has ordered over 400 Cougar vehicles for deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan following a series of Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs). Deliveries of the first 86 Mastiffs began in February 2007, and an order for 22 further vehicles was placed in March, bringing the total to 108. In October 2007, Gordon Brown announced a further 140 Mastiffs and 157 new Cougar 4x4 variants, named Ridgback were being ordered to protect troops from mines and roadside bombs. Canada has deployed

1560-536: The Cougar over the RG-31 Nyala for their "Mastiff" APV. Official data states that the Cougar is able to withstand a blast of at least 14 kg (30.86 lb) TNT under a wheel and 7 kg (15.43 lb) TNT under its belly. The Cougar comes in two main configurations, a 4×4, and 6×6. It is designed for the transport and protection of troops and equipment, especially against mines or IEDs. The two main configurations come in specific variants. The Cougar

1620-491: The Cougar. Some 7,000 of these vehicles were fielded under the US military's MRAP and other national vehicle programs. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates demanded that the vehicles be ordered in larger numbers after the Marines reported in 2004 that no troops had died in more than 300 IED attacks on Cougars. Since then, Cougar vehicles have been hit by improvised explosive devices many times in Iraq with few fatalities. Britain chose

1680-595: The Cougar. Logistic support was a major design requirement, and the components chosen were carefully assessed for the level of support that their respective original equipment manufacturers could provide. Above all, the new design was developed under the auspices of first-world defence standards such as the United States Military Standard and the UK's Defstans, both of which also conformed with NATO STANAGs . This required, amongst other things, that

1740-722: The Excess Defense Articles program. It offered to buy them and transport from Afghanistan to Pakistan. After the US rejected the offer, Pakistan bought 200 new MRAPs. Cougar (MRAP) The Cougar is a mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) and infantry mobility vehicle structured to be resistant to landmines and improvised munitions . It is a family of armored vehicles produced by Force Protection Inc , which manufactures ballistic and mine-protected vehicles. The vehicles are integrated by Spartan Motors . These vehicles are protected against small arms , land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) using

1800-573: The MRAP production line. As of that date, 27,740 MRAP vehicles had been fielded from seven manufacturers, 12,726 vehicles were still in Afghanistan, about 870 were sold to foreign militaries, and 700 were on foreign order. In early July 2012, five MRAP vehicles were delivered to the 2nd Infantry Division in the Korean Peninsula . The 2ID tested over 50 vehicles to see how they would be used there and whether their capabilities were right for Korea. In addition to force protection, MRAPs provided

1860-614: The MRAP program are often criticized for their bulk. The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is designed to provide the same protection as an MRAP vehicle with lower weight and greater maneuverability. In 2015, Oshkosh was awarded a contract to produce up to 49,100 vehicles for the US Army and Marine Corps based on its successful MRAP ATV. Following the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan , questions arose as to what to do with MRAPs, as they were designed specifically for asymmetric warfare . The Army decided they would keep them in some sort of service. Of

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1920-410: The MRAP vehicles raised their centers of gravity , and the weight can damage the badly built/poorly maintained roads in rural Iraq or Afghanistan to the point of collapse. Almost 40 of the 66 MRAP accidents between 7 November 2007 and 8 June 2008 were due to rollovers. In many of the rollovers, troops were injured. In two separate incidents, five soldiers were killed by rolling over into a canal, trapping

1980-533: The Marine Corps planned to replace all Humvees in combat zones with MRAP vehicles, although that changed. As armored vehicles were considered an urgent need in Afghanistan, the MRAP program was primarily funded under an "emergency war budget". Originally, Brigadier General Michael Brogan was in charge of the Marine MRAP program; he was succeeded by Brigadier General Frank Kelley, Commander, United States Marine Corps Systems Command. The Army MRAP program

2040-720: The U.S. ($ 50,000 per vehicle), or destroying some in-country, was prohibitive. Destruction costs were estimated to be $ 10,000 per vehicle. In September 2014, the U.S. approved a $ 2.5 billion deal with the United Arab Emirates Army for over 4,500 surplus U.S. MRAPs. 1,150 vehicles were Caimans. The U.S. government approved transferring 930 MRAP vehicles to Egypt using the Excess Defense Articles Grant Program. The MRAP vehicles were donated, although Egypt had to pay for shipment and refurbishment. Pakistan requested MRAPs through

2100-435: The U.S. Marine Corps System Command ordered 773 RG31 (1) MRAPs ($ 552M) from General Dynamics Land Systems Canada for delivery by April 2009. On 19 June 2007 the U.S. Army ordered an additional 44 BAE RG-31 Mk 5 vehicles and an additional 369 M1117 ASVs . The MRAP Armor Weight Reduction Spiral (MAWRS) Program reduced weight by 40 percent, and was fielded on more than 10,000 MRAP vehicles in 2008. The program

2160-456: The approximately 20,000 MRAPs in service, 30 percent (6,000) would stay in brigade combat teams as troop transports and route clearance vehicles, 10 percent (2,000) would move to training, and the rest would go into storage. MRAPs were to be superseded by the JLTV in 2016. They may still be used until 2022, when the JLTV achieves sufficient numbers. On 1 October 2012, the Pentagon officially closed

2220-473: The dropdown stairs at the rear of some versions was claimed to hamper vehicle exit. Troops riding in the rear could easily hit their heads on the ceiling in rough terrain, thereby risking serious brain and spinal injuries. Earlier reports had stated that the MRAP was well received, with US troops stating that they would rather be hit by an IED in an MRAP than in a Humvee. A 13 June 2008 Marine Corps report exposed concerns about rollovers. The V-shaped hulls of

2280-741: The first round of MRAP vehicles officially ended in 2012, followed by the launch of the Oshkosh M-ATV vehicle. In 2015, Oshkosh Corporation was awarded a contract to build the Oshkosh L-ATV as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle , a lighter mine-resistant vehicle to replace the Humvee in combat roles and supplement the M-ATV. The MRAP's high center of gravity means it has a tendency to roll over easily. In one study,

2340-472: The military installed a variant of the Humvee 's IED-defeating Frag Kit 6 armor, which adds significant weight and width. In July 2008, the U.S. military reported the number of EFP attacks had dropped by 70 percent. On 19 January 2008, a 3rd Infantry Division U.S. Army soldier, Specialist Richard Burress, operating as the exposed turret gunner was killed in a Navistar MaxxPro MRAP by an ANFO IED estimated at 600 lb (270 kg). It

2400-524: The original Cougar vehicle, the British variant is fitted with large, vertical armor plates that cover the large vision blocks and weapon firing ports. This is in line with British Army doctrine concerning the role of the APC/MICV, specifically that it is to carry troops under protection to the objective and give firepower support when they have disembarked. The Mastiff is fitted with a turret sporting either

2460-528: The soldiers underwater with no means of escape. The report said 75% of all rollovers occurred in rural areas, often where roads had been built above grade with an adjacent ditch or canal. The report also raised concerns associated with MRAP vehicles snagging on low-hanging power lines or its antennas passing close enough to create an electric arc, which might electrocute the passengers. The MRAP may not be sufficiently effective against Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFP), which use an explosive charge to propel

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2520-541: The thousands of MRAPs in Iraq. In June 2008, USA Today reported that roadside bomb attacks and fatalities were down almost 90%, partially due to MRAPs. "They've taken hits, many, many hits that would have killed soldiers and Marines in unarmored Humvees," according to Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . Major General Rick Lynch, who commanded a division in Baghdad, told USA Today that

2580-458: The vehicle can be properly called an SCTV. The vehicle features a monocoque V-shaped hull and angled sides to help deflect rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) with scalable levels of protection. It has greater engine power, replacing the 6.5 liter diesel engine with a Cummins 6.7 liter diesel and Allison 6-speed transmission, as well as stronger suspension, improved brakes, higher ground clearance, and many other modifications. Vehicles built as part of

2640-540: The vehicle, thereby protecting vehicle and passengers. MRAPs weigh 14 to 18 tons, are up to 9 feet (2.7 m) high, and cost between US$ 500,000 and US$ 1,000,000. These companies submitting designs: The MRAP class is separated into three categories according to weight and size. The Mine-Resistant Utility Vehicle (MRUV) is relatively small and light, designed for urban operations. These Category 1 MRAP vehicles were ordered or are in service: The Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Rapid Response Vehicle ( JERRV )

2700-553: The vehicle, to which the USMC program-lead replied "Good, we totally agree, for we know that you would never have designed a defective vehicle!" And so it left the factory, untested, and was in "action" a few days later in the Middle East. The first 27 or so vehicles delivered to the USMC were called the Hardened Engineer Vehicle (HEV), a reference to the original intended Marine Corps operational role. This

2760-477: The whole length of the vehicle, and this formed the basis of the protection of both the crew compartment and the engine-bay. It made for a much stiffer hull, with fewer welds, adding to the overall level of blast-protection. The structure of the hull around the commander and driver was considerably strengthened to add to the torsional stiffness of the vehicle, and the hull-sides were redesigned to provide additional space for troops or equipment. A full armor-upgrade pack

2820-538: Was a still only concept image, but a senior person in the company offered to design, develop and build a new vehicle, that met the USMC requirement, within the deadline of 6 months. This was achieved in spite of limited funds and having to set up and train personnel in military-type projects. The package handed over to the USMC in October 2004 also included an initial set of spares and technical publications. Given that most defence companies quote at least ten years to develop

2880-422: Was changed to the 'Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicle', or JERRV , when the Army joined the program and took over the prime-contractorship. Later, and to satisfy the needs of politicians to show that they were committed to the war in Iraq, the program was again changed to MRAP, at which time other companies became involved in the design and supply of similar vehicles, most of which were based in part, or entirely, upon

2940-696: Was developed for the SADF after 1980; this was the inspiration for the American MRAP program and the basis for some of the program's vehicles. In 2004, the TSG/FPI Cougar was designed by a British-led U.S. team, to U.S. Marine Corps requirements. It became the springboard from which the MRAP program was launched. Only two "armor quality" steel mills operate in the U.S.: the Russian-owned Oregon Steel Mills and

3000-425: Was expected to be $ 48.5 billion (FY10-11). The MRAP program was criticized for its nearly $ 50 billion cost, the potential logistical difficulties due to high fuel consumption and varied designs, decreased connection between troops and the local population due to MRAPs' size and appearance, which conflicted with counter-insurgency (COIN) strategy, and unclear disposal routes. In 2007, the post-war fate of MRAPs

3060-455: Was formed in 2002 when Sonic Jet purchased Technical Solutions Group, using the name Sonic Jet until 2004. Technical Solutions Group had been a defense company in the US that was involved in a range of products, including mine-resistant vehicles based on South African designs. Two vehicles were sold to the US Army for evaluation which were used for ordnance clearance on Army ranges, and eight heavily protected vehicles, called Tempest, were sold to

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3120-581: Was later disqualified due to limited forward armor. The two qualified designs were an upgraded Caiman designed by Armor Holdings (later acquired by BAE Systems), and the Bull , a combined effort between Ideal Innovations Inc, Ceradyne and Oshkosh . Both designs weighed 40,000 lb or more. According to the Army Times , the Pentagon had already decided to buy first-generation 14- to 24-ton MRAP I vehicles with extra Frag Kit 6-derived armor, not

3180-661: Was led by the Army Research Laboratory . Forecasting the need for better and lighter protection from IEDs, ARL developed aggressive weight-reduction goals and set out to demonstrate practical technology options by the end of the 2008 financial year. The program's technical approach was to exploit computing and terminal-effects experimentation to scale known technologies, understand the most viable armor mechanisms for penetrator defeat, and to introduce light-weight composites, new materials, and enhanced ballistic mechanisms to reduce weight. The ARL's MAWRS program

3240-524: Was managed by Kevin Fahey, U.S. Army Program Executive Officer for Combat Support and Combat Service Support. In 2007, the Pentagon ordered about 10,000 MRAPs at a cost of over $ 500,000 each, and planned to order more. On 14 March 2008, the U.S. military ordered 1,024 (2) Caimans from BAE (worth $ 481.8 million), 743 (1) MaxxPros from Navistar ($ 410.7 million), and special command vehicles and ambulances from BAE ($ 234 million). On 17 July 2007,

3300-505: Was offered from the start, and the design specifically allowed for the addition of advanced armor systems such as the British chobham type. Growth potential was limited in many of the South African designs, and this was addressed from the outset in the new Cougar. Heavier axles and a more powerful engine and transmission were selected, all of which were already in use in the US and other forces that were thought to be likely users of

3360-492: Was recognized by U.S. Army Materiel Command as among the "Top Ten Great Inventions of 2008." Oshkosh was awarded a $ 1.06 B firm-fixed-priced delivery order to exercise an option for 1,700 MRAP All Terrain Vehicles. A similar Army contract for 1,700 MRAP ATVs was valued at a further $ 1.06 B. By 2009, the U.S. Department of Defense had spent $ 20 billion on the MRAP program. Total MRAP program expenditure with final deliveries

3420-492: Was the Department of Defense 's highest priority for fiscal year 2007; $ 1.1 billion was earmarked . A 2008 GAO report found that Marine combat planners had delayed "an urgent request in 2005 for 1,169 MRAPs", primarily because then- commandant General Michael Hagee wanted to preserve funding for up-armoring Humvees, believing they were the quickest way to protect Marines from roadside bomb threats. In late 2007,

3480-665: Was to find a vehicle that did not 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. The 2007 solicitation asked for greater flexibility. Initial testing at Aberdeen Proving Grounds disqualified Force Dynamics (reinforced Cougar ), GDLS Canada (upgraded BAE OMC RG-31 ), Navistar subsidiary IMG (upgraded MaxxPro ), Textron 's upgraded M1117 , and Protected Vehicles, Inc's upgraded Golan vehicle. Blackwater USA ( Grizzly APC with Ares EXO Scale appliqué armor )

3540-507: Was uncertain, given their high transport and operational costs. MRAP funding pulled money away from other tactical vehicle programs, most noticeably the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle , which was delayed by two years. According to Army Times , troops openly wondered about some MRAPs. One question centered around the inwards-facing design of the rear seats, given that an outward-facing design would have allowed troops to fire through ports, which some versions lacked. The height and steepness of

3600-445: Was written on half a page of foolscap . After further talks, the need for levels of mobility covering beach-operations resulted in a suggestion that the 4x4 design should be augmented by a 6x6 version, which would also have a larger payload and volume in the cargo area. It was this version that led to increased US Army interest, as they had a need for a vehicle to carry a large explosive ordnance disposal robot. Subsequent meetings with

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