203rd Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Spc. Monte Swift

The U.S. Army received the first two of 5,244 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicles, the Military's newest addition to the family of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, in Afghanistan early October to support combat operations in Afghanistan's difficult, mountainous terrain.

The M-ATV features the same life saving, v-shaped hull that has proven to be successful defending against Improvised Explosive Devices on the larger MRAPs, but in a smaller, Humvee sized package. They will eventually be dispersed between Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force troops serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.

The first M-ATVs were delivered to troops in Afghanistan just three months after the first contract was awarded to the Oshkosh Corporation and one year since the requirement was identified. The need to produce the M-ATV came from a requirement for a smaller, more maneuverable MRAP to travel off road and navigate the mountainous terrain.

"So we have pulled out all the stops to collapse the schedule and get these vehicles into theater," said Brig. Gen. Michael Brogan, Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command and Joint Program Executive Officer of the MRAP Program. "We are doing everything that's required to ensure that they are safe, that the risk assessments are complete, that they're fully integrated and flown into Afghanistan."

According to Marine Corps Systems Command, the MATVs will support small unit combat operations in highly restricted rural, mountainous and urban environments that
include mounted patrols, reconnaissance, security, convoy protection, communications, command and control, and combat service support. It is designed to replace the up armored Humvee in Afghanistan carrying up to five personnel – four plus a gunner.

Only one version, comparable to the Cat 1 MRAP but more maneuverable, is planned for Afghanistan. The M-ATV is a separate category within the MRAP family of vehicles due to their off road capabilities and smaller size which is necessary due to the lack of established roads and bridges in the Afghanistan theater of operations. It will be used to complement other tactical vehicles, including MRAPs, already in country.

The M-ATVs off road capabilities lie in its lighter weight and independent suspension system that allows for 16 inches of wheel travel. The TAC-4 system developed by the Oshkosh Corporation has already seen over 400,000 miles of government durability
testing and is also being used on other MRAPs.

The Military is currently working to ensure that M-ATVs coming off the line are finding their way to combat troops on the ground as soon as possible. Airlift is the fastest way to deliver MRAP and MRAP type vehicles to the U.S. Central Command area of operations where they are most needed. Air Force cargo aircraft, including the C-5 and C-17 transport planes, and AN-124 commercial aircraft can carry M-ATVs into Afghanistan. Besides using military and commercial airlift, Navy and commercial sealift
will also be used to transport M-ATV vehicles.

As with earlier MRAPs, none of the new vehicles will touch down in Kuwait on their way into theater until a significant number is fulfilling the mission in Afghanistan.

As necessary, the intra-theater transportation system will engage to bring M-ATVs to the Servicemembers

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