Defense Technology International - October 2007 - (Page 50) ANALYSIS PROGRAM DAVID AXE/DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL ARMOR HOLDINGS Buffalo 6 X 6 is the only Category III MRAP due to its size, weight and robotic arm. the relatively lightweight RG-31 in Iraq and Afghanistan, where it has proved popular but somewhat less survivable than the Cougar. Canadian RG-31s have been involved in several fatal bombings and have suffered mechanical problems. Mechanical faults also drove the British Army to retire a handful of RG-31s it purchased in the 1990s. GDLS is partnered with BAE in South Africa on RG-31 production. The Army continues to purchase the model for route clearance outside of the MRAP program. RG-31s in Iraq have been fitted with cage armor to protect against rocket-propelled grenades. M1117 4 X 4: Textron (Providence, R.I.). Weight: 12 tons. Passengers: 8 + 3 crew. MRAP I orders: 4 for testing. Features: Flattened V-shaped hull; side door; 260-hp. engine. Cost: $690,000. Armor Holdings has released few details about the Category II Caiman 6 X 6. Reality check: Textron pitched this stretched variant of its successful Armored Security Vehicle, more than 1,000 of which have been ordered by the U.S. Army for convoy escort duty in Iraq. The M1117 is lighter and has a flatter hull bottom than the other contenders, and these liabilities apparently doomed the vehicle. The Marine Corps bought only four test examples. The New Orleans factory that makes ASVs was heavily damaged in Hurricane Katrina in 2005; there were doubts that Textron could increase production to meet MRAP demand, even if the vehicle had proved survivable enough. The M1117 also is more expensive than other Category I MRAPs. CATEGORY II Cougar HE 6 X 6: Force Protection Industries Inc. (Ladson, S.C.). Weight: 24 tons. Passengers: 10 + 2 crew. MRAP I orders: 920 + several for testing. Cost: $644,000. Features: GET A GRIP ON PBL! PERFORMANCE-BASED LOGISTICS: The Basics and Beyond Co-sponsored by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Only University-Based Program on PBL Only PBL Program for Contractors Can be Customized for Companies UPCOMING PROGRAM DATES: February 5-8, 2008 May 13-16, 2008 August 19-22, 2008 Program faculty consists of national experts in performance-based logistics. THE COURSE WILL HELP YOU: 865-974-5001 | TheCenter@utk.edu | http://PBL.utk.edu 50 DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2007 www.aviationweek.com/dti w � 3526733047 CMYK http://PBL.utk.edu http://PBL.utk.edu http://www.aviationweek.com/dti
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