FOCUS
Light Mine Resistant Vehicles
Meeting the Needs for All Terrain Mobility
by M Hanif Ismail
The threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
in the Iraqi theatre has prompted the US forces
and its allies on a scramble to provide their troops
with better protected vehicles which can provide
better all-around protection than the ubiquitous
Humvees. According to a 2008 Pentagon in-
spector general’s report, the primary problem of
the Humvee was its “flat bottom, low weight, low
ground clearance and aluminium body.” Those
factors make the Humvees vulnerable to IEDs,
especially those buried in roads. The race to
provide these better protected vehicles, which
are now known by the acronym Mine Resistant
Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, resulted in
vehicles which are while providing better protec-
tion, are also much bigger, and heavier than the
Humvees they are replacing.
When the war against terror shifted focus back
to Afghanistan, the US forces found that these
heavy MRAPs are lacking in the mobility aspect,
as the landlocked country, which was in a state
of almost continuous warfare over the last few
decades, have few paved roads in good working
conditions. The Afghan insurgents have a number
of advantages over the US forces, namely the reli-
ance on fertiliser-based explosives that lack metal
components, making attempts to detect buried
bombs more difficult; and the heavier vehicles
used by the US forces, such as most MRAPs
currently in service, are forced to travel on the few
improved roads available in Afghanistan, making
them easier to target.
42  ADJ April 2010
The scramble begins anew for a newer breed
of MRAPs, lighter and with more off-road mobility,
but offering the same or better level of protection.
ADJ looks at some of the light MRAPs currently
in development and already in service.
The JLTV Programme
While the Humvee has been a staple of the Ameri-
can military for more than two decades, today’s
military needs a new vehicle—one capable of
meeting the challenges of the 21st century. The
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) programme was
developed to meet this need.
The JLTV is a joint service, multinational
programme for a family of light tactical vehicles
companion trailers. As the central component of
the US Department of Defense’s tactical wheeled
vehicle strategy, JLTV will enhance the US military
services’ mix of tactical vehicles by providing a
balanced vehicle solution—performance, payload
and protection—with increased transportability
and expeditionary mobility.
The JLTV family of vehicles includes ten
configurations and companion trailers in three
payload categories. The JLTV family of vehicles
will provide a design that supports mobility, reli-
ability and maintainability within the given weight
limits to ensure transportability to and from the
battlefield. JLTV will use scalable armour solutions
to meet requirements for added protection while
maintaining load carrying capacity.
In October 2008, the US Army announced the
selection of three Technology Development (TD)
contracts for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)
US Army
Family of Vehicles (FoV). The three companies
awarded under the full and open competition
process were:
l BAE Systems Land & Armament Systems–
Ground Systems Division;
l General Tactical Vehicles–a Joint Venture of
General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc and
AM General, LLC; and
l Lockheed Martin Systems Integration–
Owego.
Full production and fielding anticipated to begin
in Fiscal Year 2013. The JLTV programme will
develop three payload categories (A, B, and C)
each equipped with companion trailers that carry
additional payloads.
BAE’sValanx
The Valanx from BAE Systems and Navistar
evokes the meaning of a phalanx—an ancient
Greek formation designed to protect soldiers in
combat—but introduces the “V” characteristic. The
Valanx has a signature V-shaped hull, designed
to deflect a mine blast away from the vehicle,
protecting the soldiers inside.
The vehicle was built from the “inside out” using
top-down systems engineering. The size provides
agility of movement and comfort for troops, while
still appearing small on the outside. The Valanx’s
modular plug-and-play design ensures superior
capability today and into the future. It meets all
payload, protection and performance require-
ments of the JLTV programme today. The system
will be compatible with current and future network
architectures to ensure ease of supply chain pro-

cess and maximise and maintain the value. Its
modular design maximises commonality across
JLTV variants and enables the seamless integra-
tion of future technologies.
The majority of Valanx’s components are at TRL
7 (Technology Readiness Level), which means
the team has demonstrated Valanx prototypes in
an operational environment. Commercial technol-
ogy advancements were leveraged in the Valanx
design. The design also facilitates the use of ac-
tive protection and other advanced survivability
solutions.
General Tactical Vehicles
AM General and General Dynamics Land Sys-
tems announced they will form a joint venture
to compete for the US Army and Marine Corps
JLTV programme. General Tactical Vehicles, the
joint venture company, will design, develop and
produce a highly mobile, highly survivable and
innovative wheeled utility vehicle for the armed
services to meet all the requirements of the JLTV
programme. The JLTV family of vehicles will
comprise five Mission Role variants: the Combat
Tactical Variant, the Command and Control Vari-
ant, the Utility Variant, the Light Infantry Squad
Carrier Variant and the Reconnaissance Variant.
The vehicle family will also include compatible
trailers.
The JLTV design will include a basic armour
protection package as well as provisions to ac-
commodate an additional add-on armour kit.
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle will be network-
enabled, provide power for all on-board electronic
components with the engine on and during ex-
tended silent watch, and export power to outside
systems. General Tactical Vehicles will locate in
the Detroit metropolitan area to leverage the best
of American automotive technology and military
research and development to deliver the JLTV.
US Army
M-ATV
LIGHT MINE RESISTANT VEHICLES
Valanx
Vehicles from Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin unveiled its fourth operational
JLTV prototype, a second variant of its Infantry
Carrier Category B model, at the Association of
the United States Army Winter Symposium in
February last year.
Since October 2007, the Lockheed Martin-led
JLTV Team has introduced four prototypes: its
original Infantry Carrier JLTV Category B model,
which is designed for troop transportation and
was unveiled in October 2007; the Utility Vehicle
Light Category C model, which is designed
with a focus on payload and was introduced in
February 2008; the General Purpose Mobility
Category A model, which is designed for logisti-
cal support and was unveiled in October 2008;
and the second variant of the Infantry Carrier
Category B model, which made its public debut
at the show.
BAE Systems/Navistar
Currently all of the Lockheed Martin JLTV
prototypes are in system test. To date, they have
accumulated over 30,000 combined test miles,
more than half of which have been conducted
off-road to simulate mission conditions.
The Lockheed Martin-led JLTV Team includes:
BAE Systems, which provides advanced armour
solutions and production facilities for high volume
assembly; Alcoa Defense, which supplies materi-
als experience, design services and aluminium
components that give the vehicle its structural
strength at reduced weight; and JWF–Defense
Systems, which offers state-of-the-art machining
and cost-effective fabrication. Lockheed Martin
serves as the prime contractor and design agent,
providing systems engineering, platform integra-
tion, design expertise, and programme and supply
chain management.
The M-ATV Programme
Apart from the JLTV programme, the US govern-
ment plans to acquire an MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle
(M-ATV). The M-ATV is a lighter, off-road, and
more manoeuvrable vehicle that incorporates
current MRAP level protection, and will require
effectiveness in an off-road mission profile. The
vehicle will include explosively formed penetrator
(EFP) and RPG protection, through integral or
removable kit. The M-ATV will maximise both pro-
tection levels and off-road mobility and manoeu-
vrability attributes, and must balance the effects
of size and weight while attempting to achieve the
stated requirements. The M-ATV acquisition was
conducted under the authority of the Joint MRAP
Vehicle Programme. The main difference between
the JLTV and the M-ATV programme is the weight
requirements of the final vehicle. The US Marine
Corps wanted the JLTV to be light enough so that
it can be lifted externally using the service’s CH-53
Super Stallion helicopters.
The US Department of Defense announced on
June 30, 2009, that it has selected Oshkosh Cor-
poration to supply M-ATV for its fighting forces.
ADJ April 2010  43
 FOCUS
M-ATV
The M-ATV from Oshkosh Corporation incorpo-
rates rugged, durable, patented components and
systems for maximum mobility and survivability.
Derived from the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replace-
ment (MTVR) platform, the M-ATV incorporates
the proprietary TAK-4 independent suspension
system in order to achieve the off-road mobility
that soldiers and Marines need in Afghanistan.
As further testament to the US government’s con-
fidence in this suspension system, the company
recently received a supply order to equip more
than 1,500 legacy MRAPs with the TAK-4 system
and continues to work with the US Army to evalu-
ate using the system on additional legacy MRAP
models. The TAK-4 suspension system is used
on more than 10,000 MTVR supplied to the US
Marines and US Navy Seabees, as well as on the
US Marines’ Logistics Vehicle System Replace-
ment (LVSR) and the US Army’s next-generation
Palletised Load System (PLS).
Oshkosh Defense teamed with Plasan North
America for the M-ATV armour system to provide
an advanced armour solution. Plasan also devel-
oped the armour system used on more than 5,000
legacy MRAPs and thousands of Oshkosh Ar-
moured Cab MTVRs already in theatre. Oshkosh
performed more than 7,500 miles of independent
off-road testing to identify possible enhancements
to the vehicle so it would meet or surpass the
performance requirements in the rugged terrain
in Afghanistan.
Oshkosh has received an initial delivery order
from the US Army Tank-automotive and Arma-
ments Command (TACOM) Life Cycle Manage-
ment Command (LCMC) for 2,244 M-ATVs valued
at $1.05 billion, following months of government
testing on multiple production-ready vehicles. The
initial vehicles were made available to TACOM
LCMC in July 2009.
Other Developments
Apart from the development in the US, a number
of light MRAPs were also in development for the
requirement of its allies and other armed forces
worldwide. Here are some of the vehicles, which
are designed to be light while still offering high
ballistic and mine protection.
Rheinmetall Defence
Gavial
44  ADJ April 2010
LIGHT MINE RESISTANT VEHICLES
RG Outrider
BAE Systems
RG Outrider
The latest variant of the RG Outrider from BAE
Systems has a V-shaped hull that protects the
crew against armour piercing (AP) rifle fire and
anti-tank mine detonations. Although the vehicle is
a fully-fledged light armoured vehicle it sacrifices
none of the mobility, agility and ground clearance
of its predecessor.
The RG Outrider has a gross vehicle mass
(GVM) of only 9.5 tonnes, classifying it as a light
mine protected patrol vehicle. The configuration
offers more internal crew space, due to 200mm
(8 in) wider hull and 50mm (2 in) increased head-
space. Windows are externally mounted providing
improved side-blast protection while also freeing
up space inside the cabin.
Other features are an improved 2-tonne payload
capability and a newly designed load bay, which
can accommodate a variety of mission-specific
equipment, increasing its versatility. The vehicle
can also be easily fitted with mission-specific com-
munications and weapons systems, making it a
highly tactical vehicle capable of operating in most
climates and environmental conditions.
With its high Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS)
content the RG Outrider provides a cost effec-
tive through-life solution with a minimal logistics
footprint and the ability to be re-configured with
customer required mission equipment.
Cheetah
The Cheetah from Force Protection is designed to
achieve high protection levels in a small vehicle.
The Cheetah’s size and agility make it ideal for
reconnaissance, command and control, forward
observation, urban operations, and homeland se-
curity missions. The Cheetah uses the same mine
protection principles as the company’s Cougar,
and has the capacity to carry heavy armour kits
for excellent ballistic protection.
Cougar ISS
Based on the Cougar 4x4, the ISS from Force
Protection is fitted with a new, integrated indepen-
dent suspension system that gives the Cougar ISS
increased cross-country mobility in even the most
demanding environments. Even in the heaviest
load configurations, it matches well with the most
severe mission profiles. With its four-man crew
compartment and scalable protection, it can be
used for the same missions as the 4x4, all while
extending the effectiveness of the warfighter.
Renowned for its outstanding survivability
performance in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Cougar
is in service with a range of militaries, including
Canada, Hungary, Italy, Poland, United States
and the UK.
Gavial
The Gavial from Rheinmetall is a highly advanced,
cost-efficient, multipurpose 4x4 armoured vehicle
that handles extremely well both on and off the
road. It can be airlifted in a CH-53 cargo helicopter
or in fixed-wing transport aircraft like the C-130,
C-160 or A400M. The Gavial provides protection
from small arms fire, shrapnel and anti-personnel
mines as well as IED protection. Because of its
versatile interior, it can be configured for a variety
of missions, including border control and protec-
tion of installations, transport, field medical sup-
port, and NBC reconnaissance.
The Gavial has a high internal volume of ap-
proximately 5cbm and a high payload of 1,000kg.
The vehicle is also equipped with air-conditioning
and NBC overpressure system.
AMPV
Jointly developed by Rheinmetall Defence and
its partners, the innovative new Armoured Multi-
Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) is a modern command
and multi-purpose vehicle that combines high
mobility with the best possible protection.
Long years of experience have contributed to
the design of the AMPV concept, which is strongly
oriented to the German Bundeswehr’s modern
mission spectrum. The AMPV vehicle family
features a robust, high-performance chassis with
single wheel suspension, long spring excursion
and high ground clearance. With a turning radius
of less than 15m and a 200kW engine output, the
AMPV performs superbly in all conditions. The
self-supporting safety cell made of armoured steel
and composite armour offers protected space
continued on page 46
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Rheinmetall Defence
AMPV
for four fully equipped soldiers and sets a whole
new standard for force protection in vehicles of
this class.
Automatic transmission assures optimum
mobility in the field, while automatic limited slip
differential management for easy handling. The
AMPV is equipped with central tyre inflation
system and features excellent ergonomics and
ease of operation.
Ocelot
The Ocelot light protected patrol vehicle, which
is designed, developed and funded by Force
Protection and Ricardo plc, is a radically different
breed. It’s based on the success of the company’s
lineage of battle-proven vehicles and incorporates
V-shaped hull blast-protection with modular flex-
ibility. The Ocelot’s demountable, protected pods
allow for multiple configurations—troop transport,
fire support and materials transport—that are
easily interchangeable in the field. Along with the
rest of the vehicle, the modular pods are made
with light, advanced composite materials
designed for survivability, adaptability Ocelot
and reliability.
Since the middle of 2009, Ocelot has
been put through an extensive series
of blast and ballistic testing at Force
Protection’s own blast range in the US.
In addition, automotive trials have been
conducted at the Millbrook Proving
Ground in the UK and the Ricardo facil-
ity in Shoreham. This series of tests has
demonstrated the effectiveness of Oce-
lot’s unique “skateboard” armoured spine
configuration and pod design in terms of
both survivability and mobility.
Ocelot’s highly versatile design en-
ables a range of special-to-role pods
to be mounted on the skateboard. The
pods, which can be easily changed in
the field as the need arises, have been
46  ADJ April 2010
LIGHT MINE RESISTANT VEHICLES
designed for roles such as patrol, fire support or
protected logistics. Four wheel steering is common
to all configurations and the vehicle can be trans-
ported in a C-130 or underslung from a Chinook.
Ocelot is equally suited to operations in desert,
jungle, mountainous or urban environments. While
non-threatening in appearance, it provides levels
of protection never before achieved in a vehicle
of this size and weight.
Panther
Based on a chassis designed by Iveco in Italy,
Panther command and liaison vehicle (CLV) from
BAE Systems is designed for strategic and tactical
mobility with a high level of protection against anti-
tank and anti-personnel mines. It also provides
operators with a lower vehicle profile while still
giving a high level of crew protection. Panther
has a number of design features to provide crew
protection against mine blast and other attacks,
including a sandwich-construction underhull,
sacrificial front and rear ends and wheels set well
away from the crew compartment.
Panther is a culmination of a product partner-
ship between BAE Systems Land Systems and
Iveco DVD. Unlike almost all other vehicles in
its class, the protection afforded to the crew is
readily tuneable by the replacement of armour
packs within the vehicle’s external skin, allowing
the vehicle to retain the same profile whatever
its mission. The result is a highly survivable, air
transportable and high mobility vehicle suited to
deployment in a wide variety of roles and opera-
tional environments, from general war to peace
keeping.
Panther was chosen by the UK MoD for its
Command and Liaison Vehicle programme. A
total of 401 Panthers were delivered for the British
armed forces by summer 2009. They replaced or
supplement a range of vehicles including the Land
Rover, Saxon and some tracked reconnaissance
vehicles. It will be used as a commander’s vehicle
for engineer troops, anti-tank, mortar and support-
ing fire platoons and as a liaison officer’s vehicle
for armoured reconnaissance and armoured
infantry units. It will also be deployed with REME
for asset coordination, and by the Royal Signals
for radio rebroadcast. Panther is the first British
Army front line vehicle to feature a health and
usage monitoring system (HUMS).
BAE Systems announced in May 2009 that the
first batches of the new Panther mine-protected
command and liaison vehicles modified to meet
exacting British Army standards by the company
have been completed on schedule and begun front
line duty in Afghanistan. The vehicles, customised
to Theatre Entry Standard (TES), will have over a
dozen changes to fit them for current operations,
including larger roof hatches, a rear view camera,
protected engine compartment, new rear cargo
pod and electronic devices to counter improvised
explosive devices.
The TES Panther has also been modified to a
four-seat configuration, with the Bowman digital
communication system installed between the rear
two seats. In addition to the TES modifications
fitted to a proportion of the
fleet, all Panthers have about
a hundred further changes to
the Iveco base vehicle.
A total of 401 Panthers are
scheduled to be integrated at
Newcastle by this summer; of
those, 326 are fitted with the
remotely-operated 7.62mm
Selex Galileo Enforcer self-
defence weapon and surveil-
lance and target acquisition
system. The remaining 75
Force Protection/Ricardo plc
are “fitted for but not with”
the system. Most Panthers
are being issued to the British
Army where they will carry
out up to 15 roles. Some will
also go to the Royal Air Force
Regiment.n