Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle

Armoured vehicle designed to survive IED explosion From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle

Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAPV), also known as MRAP vehicle, is a type of armoured personnel carrier that is designed specifically to withstand land mines, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, and ambushes to save troops' lives.[1][2][3][4] Most modern infantry mobility vehicles also have a certain level of MRAP capabilities.

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United States-made Cougar HE MRAPV being tested in January 2007 with landmines
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Russian Ural-63095 Typhoon MRAPV

History

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).[5][6] The first step by the South African Defence Force (SADF) was the Bosvark, 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 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle was developed for the SADF after 1980;[7] this was the inspiration for the American and other military MRAPV program and the basis for some of the program's vehicles.[8][9][10]

Design

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Turkish-made BMC Kirpi in Ukrainian Marine Corps service

These vehicles have good off-road mobility, and armor protection against small-arms fire, IEDs, and antipersonnel mines. These armored vehicles generally have a distinctive V-shaped hull (for mine protection) and a wheeled chassis.[1][2][3][4]

List of MRAP vehicles

Dedicated MRAPV

Infantry mobility vehicle with MRAP capabilities

References

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