Length: 19 ft 5 in, Width: 9 ft, Height: 8 ft 8 in
Armament:
Optional, can be fitted with one 7.62 machine gun, or one 12.7mm heavy machine gun, or one 40mm automatic grenade launcher
Powerplant:
One Caterpillar C-7 diesel engine, 330 hp
Performance:
Speed: 65 mph, Range: 600 mi
Description
The Cougar is a mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) and infantry mobility vehicle. The MRAP program was prompted by U.S. casualties from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during the Iraq War. It is specifically manufactured with a blast mitigation system. The monocoque type, V-shaped hull can redirect the aftermath of a detonation produced by landmines or IEDs away from the vehicle. It is also resistant to small arms fire.
The Cougar vehicles were first ordered by the US Marine Corps in 2004 for deployment in Iraq. The two primary variants of the MRAP vehicle are CAT I and CAT II. The CAT I is a 4×4 variant used to conduct mounted patrols, reconnaissance, command, and control to support small unit combat operations. In 2006, Force Protection and General Dynamics Land Systems merged and began producing both variants of MRAPs.
Service History
The United States Department of Defense MRAP program began in 2007 as a response to the increased threat of IEDs during the Iraq War. From 2007 until 2012, the MRAP program deployed more than 12,000 vehicles to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Currently, it is used in urban and confined areas by First Responders, and military personnel. Both variants of the vehicle are used by the U.S. Military, the Ministry of Defense (UK), and the Polish Ministry of National Defense.
