ARMY AL&T
MRAP JPO Army PMs stand alongside a U.S. Air Force convoy escort crew in front of their M-ATV in Afghanistan. Left to right: LTC Coll Haddon, COL Kevin Peterson, TSgt Clarissa Walkup, LTC Jay Proctor, CPT William Minor, LTC Andrew Oderkirk, TSgt Robert Berrier, and SrA John MacLean. (U.S. Army photo.)
replacement for the Cougar’s solid- axle suspension. TAK-4 has been used on the USMC’s most mobile wheeled vehicle, the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR), with great success. Due to the similarities of the MTVR and Cougar, the TAK-4 ISS was adapted to fit the Cougar with only minor changes required.
The ISS increases overall suspension travel from 6 to 13 inches, providing the Cougar with off-road capability. It also includes larger tires with a Central Tire Inflation System, allowing the operator to select the appropriate tire pressure to maneuver in harsher terrain. Another benefit of the ISS is the opti- mized steering components. Together, all the modifications enhance overall automotive performance, ride quality, payload capability, and maneuverabil- ity while continuing to provide MRAP levels of protection.
“The Cougar ISS greatly improves mobility to units operating in OEF and will help save more lives,” said Kim Yarboro, Assistant Program Manager (PM) Cougar MRAP fleet. “It’s allowing the warfighter to follow the enemy into the harshest terrain and do it faster and more comfortably than ever before.”
With the first ISS-capable Cougars delivered to Afghanistan in August 2009, the flow continues as the pipeline fills. In all, more than 2,100 Cougars will be retrofitted with ISS. According to Dave Hansen, MRAP Deputy PM, other variants, such as the MRAP RG-31, RG-33, and MaxxPro, are quickly following the Cougar’s lead and profiting from les- sons learned with Cougars’ improved suspension system. “We are seek- ing technical evaluation support from industry to look at all the solutions out there and to improve the handling and off-road performance in their trucks,”
Hansen said. “The ISS already in use are performing very well.”
While both the suspension upgrades and M-ATV programs are on track, efforts to increase the speed of deliv- ery are continually being navigated. Officials say the MRAP team embraces the challenge in its unwavering com- mitment and support to the troops. “No matter how hard we think we have it, or how hard we are working, the young men and women out in combat have it dramatically worse,” said Paul Mann, MRAP Joint PM. “We will keep pressing until the warfighters all come home safely.”
BARBARA HAMBY, MRAP JPO Public Affairs, works for the USMC Command, Corporate Communications Directorate. She holds a B.S. in communications from Northern Arizona University.
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