Defense Technology International - October 2007 - (Page 52) ANALYSIS PROGRAM PROTECTED VEHICLES DAVID AXE/DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY General Dynamics’ new RG-31E 6 X 6 will probably resemble this RG-33L model. Monocoque, flattened V-shaped hull extended to engine compartment; dual air conditioners; rear door. Reality check: The roomier six-wheeled Cougar variant is prized by bomb squads for its ability to carry an ordnancedisposal robot and controls with room to spare; many of the pre-MRAP 6 X 6 orders were placed by the Navy on behalf of the military bomb-disposal community. The British and Iraqi armies were first to embrace the 6 X 6 for other missions. In 2006, Force Protection sold 400 Cougar HE variants to the Iraqi army and 108 to the British Army. The British “Masti s,” as they are called, reportedly boast superior protection against explosively formed penetrator bombs. RG-33L 6 X 6: BAE Systems North America (Rockville, Md.). Weight: 22 tons. Passengers: 12 + 2 crew. MRAP I orders: 330 + several for testing. Cost: approximately $630,000. Features: Monocoque, flattened V-shaped hull that stops short of engine compartment; rear door, exportable power; robotic claw arm. Reality check: This stretched and widened RG-33 variant is fitted for the same roles as the Cougar HE, with the addition of a robotic arm like that on the larger Bu alo MRAP, used to probe suspected explosive devices. The RG-33’s lower height compared to the Bu alo will probably make it an inferior arm platform. RG-31E 6 X 6: General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (London, Ont.). Weight: approximately 20 tons. Passengers: at least 10 + 2 crew. MRAP I orders: 610 + several for testing. Cost: $559,000. Features: Monocoque, flattened V-shaped hull that stops short of engine compartment; rear door. Reality check: A stretched RG-31 variant, the E model has yet to appear in public and the manufacturer has released only basic details, but it should be broadly similar to the RG-33L. MaxxPro XL 4 X 4: International Military and Government LLC (Warrenville, Ill.). Weight: 18 tons. Passengers: 10 + 2 crew. MRAP I orders: 16 + several for testing. Cost: $540,000. Features: Commercial truck chassis with a bolt-on V-shaped armored hull; rear door. Reality check: A heavier, stretched MaxxPro. As with many Category II MRAPs, the MaxxPro XL uses the same engine as its smaller, lighter Category I counterpart, meaning slightly degraded performance. Golan 4 X 4: Protected Vehicles Inc. (North Charleston, S.C.). Weight: 15 tons. Passengers: 10 + 2 crew. MRAP I orders: 60 + several for testing. Cost: $623,000. Features: Monocoque, V-shaped armored hull; rear door. 52 DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2007 Golan 4 X 4 scored only a handful of orders, forcing PVI to cut its workforce. Reality check: PVI was a subcontractor to Oshkosh on that company’s failed Alpha MRAP; PVI’s own Golan has fared little better. There has been no indication that the Pentagon will order any beyond the initial batch of 60. While awaiting orders, PVI has cut its work force in half, and is currently fighting a lawsuit relating to issues about the departure of PVI founder Garth Barrett from rival Force Protection Inc., where he was president. Force Protection claims Barrett stole a hard drive containing confidential data. Barrett is countersuing. Executive representative Drew Felty says the lack of interest in Golan is not due to survivability. “We have what we call a triad solution: we’ve got protection against IEDs—including fragmentation, EFP (explosively formed penetrator) and RPG, all in one vehicle.” The design features modular armor blocks on the sides and cage armor over the windows. PVI has the advantage of being located near the Navy’s SPAWAR Systems Center, which integrates turrets and electronics in MRAPs, and Charleston AFB, where many MRAPs embark for flights to Iraq. Caiman 6 X 6: Armor Holdings LLC (Jacksonville, Fla.). Weight: 24 tons. Passengers: approximately 10 + 2 crew. MRAP I orders: 16 + several for testing. Cost: approximately $600,000. Features: FMTV chassis with a V-shaped armored hull; rear door. Reality check: As with the Category I Caiman, Armor Holdings has released few details about this vehicle, only stressing its FMTV utility truck chassis. CATEGORY III Bu alo 6 X 6: Force Protection Industries Inc. (Ladson, S.C.). Weight: 25 tons. Passengers: 4 + 2 crew. MRAP I orders: 58 + several for testing. Cost: $856,000. Features: Monocoque, flattened V-shaped hull extended to engine compartment; 400-hp. engine; rear door; robotic claw arm. Reality check: The Bu alo is the only vehicle qualifying for MRAP Category III, owing to its unique features: greater size, weight and height, which make it cumbersome but extremely survivable, and an excellent platform for the robotic arm used to prod suspected bombs. Bu aloes in Iraq have been seen fitted with cage armor to protect against RPGs. Bu alo is a direct descendant of the South African Casspir design that is in widespread military and civil use for mine-clearance. I To read one of our many weblog posts on MRAPs, go to DTI’s homepage: aviationweek.com/dti and click on ‘Extras for this issue’ under ‘DTI Interactive.’ www.aviationweek.com/dti http://aviationweek.com/dti http://www.aviationweek.com/dti
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