United States Army using Latest Vehicle in Afghanistan

United States Army using Latest Vehicle in Afghanistan

Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan (Oct. 23, 2009) --The first mine-safe, snare secured off-road vehicles designated for southern Afghanistan landed here, Oct. 22 via air transport. 

After months of government testing, the Defense Department recompensed an agreement in June to Oshkosh Corp. to supply a beginning request esteemed at $1.05 billion for more than 2,000 of the vehicles, reputed to be M-Atvs. 

"This is an altogether different environment than Iraq, so as we came in and pressed on to battle the battle in Afghanistan, we acknowledged it requires a smidge distinctive gear or alteration than what we have," said Lt. Col. Richard Haggerty, the Regional Command South delegate executive for acquisitions, logistics and innovation. 

With a free suspension framework intended for rough terrain versatility, the M-Atv is manufactured explicitly to go Afghanistan's rough scene. 

"The M-Atv truly addresses a percentage of the tests of the territory, high heights and the genuine unevenness of a mess of the landscape out there," Haggerty said. 

The M-Atv seats four travelers and one heavy weapons specialist, and characteristics a reinforcement framework with a "V" formed body built to secure inhabitants from adversary strike. 

"It would seem that a changed, tremendous, substantial job Jeep," said Anthony Deluca, the Kandahar site lead for the mine-safe, snare secured, or Mrap, project. "It's got extremely exceptional suspension frameworks, and everybody raves about how well it capacities in the field." 

While some unique Mrap vehicles might weigh practically 60,000 pounds, the M-Atv weighs something like 25,000 pounds, incorporating standard supplies and fuel. 

"We're attempting to get the fighter precisely what he should be efficacious in the front line," Haggerty said. 

The starting eight vehicles will be utilized to prepare drivers and mechanics with units chose to get M-Atvs.