Article Posted on : - Apr 14, 2010

The improved suspension designed for the harsh terrain found in Afghanistan. Photo: US Army

VIRGINIA (BNS): Pentagon has ordered over 1,300 new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAP) for US Army in Afghanistan.

The newly built independent suspension systems are designed to improve the blast-protected vehicles' off-road capability in the rough Afghan terrain.

“The improved suspension is also being built into the designs for several variants of battle-tested MRAPs. The lighter weight, more mobile MRAPs, which also have improved suspension systems, are slated to arrive in Afghanistan alongside Category I MRAPs that have been configured with a new suspension system,” Barbara Hamby, MRAP Joint Program Office spokeswoman was quoted in a US Army press release.

The contracts, approved in a January memo from Pentagon procurement chief Ashton Carter, ordered 1,050 MaxxPro Dash vehicles from Navistar International, 250 RG 31 MRAPs from General Dynamics Land Systems, Canada, and 58 RG 33 MRAPs from BAE Systems. An order for 1,420 more MRAP All Terrain Vehicles was placed with Oshkosh Defense.

The contracts reflect the latest series of upgrades and improvements being made to the MRAP fleet in response to the lessons learned in combat, it said.