What the well-dressed Marine should wear to the party in Afghanistan
BAE Systems has developed a new vehicle for the Marines. It's a
combination of high mobility and increased protection for its occupants.
The large, heavy MRAP vehicles developed for use in Iraq don't have enough
rough road/off-road capability for the terrain in the mountainous parts of
Afghanistan.
The M-ATV weighs about 8 tons, is powered by a commercially available
turbodiesel engine, and can travel up to 80 mph. The suspension is
independent at each wheel. Looking at the photo, it appears that the
ground clearance is provided by the big tires, and not by portal axles.
Like most modern military vehicles, the M-ATV has a big electric generator
on board, to power all those computers and communications gadgets soldiers
use these days.
The need to protect vehicle occupants from mines and roadside bombs is
changing the design of military vehicles. The cab-forward trucks are being
replaced by designs like the M-ATV that put the driver behind the engine,
where it's possible to provide more armor, and there's room for a wedge-shaped
floor beneath the driver to deflect blast energy away.
Chip Haven
BAE Systems has developed a new vehicle for the Marines. It's a
combination of high mobility and increased protection for its occupants.
The large, heavy MRAP vehicles developed for use in Iraq don't have enough
rough road/off-road capability for the terrain in the mountainous parts of
Afghanistan.
The M-ATV weighs about 8 tons, is powered by a commercially available
turbodiesel engine, and can travel up to 80 mph. The suspension is
independent at each wheel. Looking at the photo, it appears that the
ground clearance is provided by the big tires, and not by portal axles.
Like most modern military vehicles, the M-ATV has a big electric generator
on board, to power all those computers and communications gadgets soldiers
use these days.
The need to protect vehicle occupants from mines and roadside bombs is
changing the design of military vehicles. The cab-forward trucks are being
replaced by designs like the M-ATV that put the driver behind the engine,
where it's possible to provide more armor, and there's room for a wedge-shaped
floor beneath the driver to deflect blast energy away.
Chip Haven
