When is the MRAP going total use?

[JayTee_IsMe]

I'm just wondering, when do you guys think the MRAP is going to totally replace the Humvee in Afghanistan mainly, and also Iraq? Is it practical, or are there just some applications that the MRAP just wont work out in? I am mainly asking about the main Cav and Infantry units who go outside the wire on offensive type missions. Any input?

[docsmileyface]

pretty much in Iraq MRAPs have replaced humvees already.

[mceod]

Mostly the same in Afghan too. I don't think I saw one humvee outside the wire.

[SGT Loco]

In Iraq, I can see it- mostly flat terrain. Afghanistan... I think we're going to run into problems here pretty soon where we find out the MRAPs aren't as amazing as we thought. They're great, don't get me wrong (and the air conditioning is heavenly), but I don't think they're the all 'rounders people want them to be.

I think we will always have a need for vehicles that are small and manuverable, and MRAPs are neither. I believe there has already been some issues involving bridges in the underdeveloped nations we tend to involve ourselves in- MRAPs are heavy.

[Petro6golf]

We used MRAPS and Humvees in Iraq in 2009. IMO the MRAP is only good for paved roads. I cant count how many times we got one stuck in the mud. The suspension is really really stiff. You cant take a pothole or speed bump at more than 5 mph without everyone getting thrown around. There good for convoy from A to B but not good for quick infantry applications. They can take an IED but thats about all their good for. Their comfortable but the back ramp goes down slowly and leaves you exposed while you get out for too long. They feel like there gonna tip over at any moment, plus their really tall and hit alot of the exposed wires that drape across the road. The AC is nice though.

[Nate87]

As already stated, it's going to depend on where you are and what the terrain is like. When I was in Afghan, I witnessed the Army roll quite a few Humvees off the sides of mountains due to the narrow mountian roads. MRAPS didnt even fit on those roads. They learned that the hard way. Humvees, MRAPs, jingle trucks, water tankers all fell victim to those roads. This was all in the the mountainous north eastern part of Afghanistan though. I was always on foot and not once stepped foot into a vehicle. Down south it's pretty flat. So it's going to depend on where you are and what you got and whats going to fit.

[11Bforme]

+1 on the AC

[SGT Loco]

I thuink the consensus we're reachiing is- too cumbersome to be the end-all-be-all of light armored vehicles, but they did something right with the AC

[Manolito]

I have been retired for several years from DOD and the last I heard they had not even given the Mwraps a NSN. I don't think they should be the end all.

copied from another thread
Found it!

Additional Options – and Possible Trends



Granite APC-1,
“The Rock”
(click to view full)
MDT Armor can also create MDT-DAVs using the Mercedes G-Wagen as a base platform. This may be welcome news to Mercedes, as the G-Wagens have been tried by several NATO armies and found wanting in Afghanistan due to their lack of protection. Britain, meanwhile, is finding that its Land Rovers have significant limitations when used in Iraq.
With alternatives like Force Protection’s Cougar, KMW’s Dingo 2, Thales-ADI’s Bushmaster or Iveco’s Panther sitting in the $500,000 – $1 million range, MDT-DAVs or similar low-end protected vehicles may find their way into a number of Western militaries before long.
One example may already be on display in Iraq. Though it’s slightly more expensive than the MDT-DAV and perhaps more comparable to Israel’s Ze’ev, Granite Global Services Ford F550-based APC-1 (aka. “The Rock”) offers a purpose-designed urban warfare vehicle that has performed well in Iraq, at about the price of an up-armored Hummer.

[jeff762]

i saw the rock when i was in iraq in 05-06. it was being used by security contractors, possibly blackwater. the inside was spacious compared to the 1114 up-armoured humvee. had a much fast top speed too.