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MRAP
MRAP stands for Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected and refers to a type of armored military vehicle specifically designed to protect its occupants from explosions caused by landmines and roadside bombs. These vehicles typically feature a V-shaped hull that deflects blast energy away from the passenger compartment.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
An MRAP, or Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, is a category of armored military tactical vehicles engineered with a V-shaped hull and advanced blast-resistant features to significantly enhance crew survivability against improvised explosive devices (IEDs), landmines, and small arms fire in high-threat combat zones, notably utilized during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
BACKGROUND
United States MRAP program was created to produce mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles for the country. 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 the International Steel Group. 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. The United States Department of Defense MRAP program began in 2007 as a response to the increased threat of IEDs during the Iraq War. From 2007 until 2012, the MRAP program deployed more than 12,000 vehicles in the Iraq War and War in Afghanistan.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Mine-Resistant Vehicle
- Blast-Protected Vehicle
- Armored Combat Vehicle
- Tactical Wheeled Vehicle
- Up-Armored HMMWV (informal)
USAGE NOTE
MRAPs were widely deployed by the U.S. military, particularly during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, to counter the prevalent threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to MRAP.
A leading designer and manufacturer of military trucks and armored vehicles, notably the M-ATV (Mine-Resistant All-Terrain Vehicle), a widely deployed MRAP.
A global leader in military vehicles, known for producing the MaxxPro family of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.
A multinational defense, security, and aerospace company that develops and manufactures various armored vehicles, including the RG-31 and RG-33 MRAPs.
A global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of land combat systems, including a range of highly protected vehicles and having acquired Force Protection, Inc., a pioneer in MRAP development.
A German defense company that develops and manufactures a variety of armored vehicles, including the Dingo 2, a highly mobile and protected MRAP vehicle.
An American aerospace and defense company that produces armored vehicles, including the COMMANDO series, which offers significant mine and ambush protection capabilities.