Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle

"MRAP" redirects here. For the French anti-racist organisation, see MRAP (organization). For the gene, see Melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein.

United States-made Cougar HE MRAPV being tested in January 2007 with landmines

Russian Ural-63095 Typhoon MRAPV

Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle (MRAPV), also known as MRAP vehicle, is a type of armoured personnel carrier that is designed specifically to withstand the impact of 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.

History

See also: United States MRAP program

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

Turkish-made BMC Kirpi in Ukrainian Marine Corps service

Polish Special Forces Oshkosh M-ATV M1240A1 on display at NATO Days Ostrava 2021

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

Name	Country of origin	Entered service	Image
ATF Dingo	Germany	2000
BAE Caiman	United States	2007
BMC Vuran	Turkey	2009
BMC Kirpi	Turkey	2014
Gaz Tigr	Russia	2007
Cougar	United States	2002
CS/VP3 MRAP	China	2012
Ezugwu MRAP	Nigeria	2019
First Win	Thailand	2010
International MaxxPro	United States	2007
Kalyani M4	India	2022
Kamaz Typhoon	Russia	2014
MPCV "Spook"	Rhodesia	1979
Nexter Aravis	France	2009
Force Protection Ocelot	United Kingdom	2011
Oshkosh M-ATV	United States	2009
JLTV	United States	2019
Marauder	South Africa	2008
Protolab Misu	Finland	2017
RG-31 Nyala	South Africa	2006
RG-33	South Africa	2007
Sisu GTP	Finland	2018
Toofan	Iran	2018
Unicob	Sri Lanka	2021
Unibuffel	Sri Lanka	2000
Zastava M20 MRAP	Serbia	2023

Infantry mobility vehicle with MRAP capabilities

• AM
• M16 Miloš
• Bushmaster IMV
• COMBATGUARD
• Didgori series
• Grizzly APC
• Hunter TR-12
• Iveco LMV – several thousand ordered by Italian and other European militaries
• Kozak (armored personnel carrier)
• Lenco BearCat G5
• Nurol Ejder
• Mahindra Armored Light Specialist Vehicle
• Mungo ESK
• Oshkosh L-ATV – selected to meet US military's JLTV requirement on 25 August 2015
• Otokar Cobra
• Otokar Cobra II
• RG-33 (4×4)
• Shota
• STREIT Group Spartan
• Varta

References

1. Pike, John. "Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Program". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
2. "Turkey Quietly Sent 50 Mine-Resistant Armored Vehicles to the Ukrainian Military". Autoevolution. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
3. "Rosoboronexport launches import-substituted Typhoon-K MRAP vehicle in foreign markets". Rosoboronexport. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
4. "Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Vehicle Management Codes" (PDF). DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE.
5. "Lesakeng". South African Armour Museum. 2012-12-06. Archived from the original on 2013-07-03. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
6. Heitman, Helmoed-Römer. South African Armed Forces. Buffalo Publications 1990. ISBN   0-620-14878-0 p 44.
7. Russell, Robert W (2009). Does the MRAP meet the U.S. Army's needs as the primary method of protecting troops from the IED threat? (PDF) (Master of Military Art and Science thesis). US Army Command and General Staff College. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2012.
8. Mike Guardia (20 November 2013). US Army and Marine Corps MRAPs: Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles. Osprey Publishing. pp. 14–. ISBN   978-1-78096-255-9.
9. Leon Engelbrecht (8 February 2010). "Fact file: Casspir MRAP" . Retrieved 5 November 2014.
10. "An MRAP for India" . Retrieved 20 September 2018.