Com-Central.net

USA Today reports that the Pentagon will phase out its armored Humvees in Afghanistan and Iraq, replacing them with the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP). No Marines have been killed in 300 attacks on their MRAPs in Iraq's Anbar province but two soldiers died when their MRAP was IED'd.

www.usatoday.com/news/...mrap_N.htm

I wonder who is building them?

- MarkHolloway

I wonder who is building them?

At least four different companies - mostly non-USA IIRC.

I'll have a quick dig through my notes and see if I can find the details and an image of each vehicle ordered.

As well as the Force Protection Industries Cougar and the M1117 the following have been procured/ordered

For the I-5 at rush hour, I gotta' go with this... ("honorable mention" to the "Golan", but a little wide. Points for intimidation value, though)

Ooops I almost forgot the BAe RG33L - obviously to supplement the Buffalo's

There is a rumour that the 'Stallion' may also be procured. The shortage of production capacity must be really biting...

Anyone want to guess what vehicle lies under all that restyling?

A Ferret?

Looks like those hulls Bob & I spotted at APG - presumably Textron's MRAP entry, they very much looked like V-150 / ASV variants - wont be in the running anymore. I was surprised they were left out in the open (not "behind the fence"), but just the same I thought better of taking any pictures...

Neil

Textron Sees Continued Strong Demand for Armored Security Vehicle

Providence, RI - May 8, 2007 - Based on current and pending U.S. Department of Defense budget requests, Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, expects to deliver about 530 of its highly successful Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) units in 2007 and at least as many next year. The outlook for ASV production remains strong despite recent notification from the U.S. Marine Corps that the company will not be receiving any additional delivery orders for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP) program.

"We continue to experience both strong demand and exceptional customer feedback for the ASV," said Frank Tempesta, president, Textron Systems. "In addition, through our participation in the MRAP program, we were able to make some design improvements for integration into the ASV platform that will produce substantial benefits for present and future customers - design improvements that will serve to augment the long-term success of the current ASV program, as well as position Textron for the even longer-term success of the platform."

Textron's MRAP prototype design was a variant of their M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV), which it produces principally for the U.S. Army. The company, through its Textron Marine & Land Systems operating unit in New Orleans, was one of nine companies asked to develop and submit prototype/test vehicles for consideration for the U.S. Marine program.

- Tanklord

A Ferret?

Give that man a prize!

- JimWeb

Anyone want to guess what vehicle lies under all that restyling?

Looks like AFV for Pokemons

I was thinking an armored "Smart", but knew "Nah, that can't be right."

- Doug_Kibbey

I was thinking an armored "Smart", but knew "Nah, that can't be right."

If it is called a Smart Car, why does it look so stupid?

One comment from some of the Canadians in Bosnia was they needed a small liaison vehicle. They liked the cute French Panhard armoured skateboard. But a Ferret? I wonder how a short wheelbase steel jellybean would withstand mine blasts?

- Maple_Leaf_Eh

- Doug_Kibbey

I was thinking an armored "Smart", but knew "Nah, that can't be right."

If it is called a Smart Car, why does it look so stupid?

HEY I could resent that

Have I told y'all about my connection with the SMART (and I'm being serious)

I thought the Stallion looked kinda like a New Beetle . . .