Cougar Family MRAPs to Stalk Mines on the Battlefield
Related Stories: Americas - USA, BAE, Britain/U.K., Contracts - Awards, Design Innovations, Engineering Vehicles, Europe - France, Europe - Other, FOCUS Articles, Forces - Marines, IT - Software & Integration, Middle East - Other, Other Corporation, Trucks & Transport
British order; Fleet management software; Field Service contracts (June 23/10)
The Cougar family of medium-sized blast-protected vehicles is produced in both 4-wheel (formerly Cougar H) and 6-wheel (formerly Cougar HE) layouts. Eventually, the wisdom of using survivable vehicles in a theater where land mines were the #1 threat became clearer, and these vehicles have gradually shifted from dedicated engineer and Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) roles to patrol and route-proving/ convoy lead functions as well. Related variants and blast-resistant designs are also produced in response to country-specific requirements (Wolfhound, Mastiff, Ridgback, ILAV Badger) and other designs cover different operational needs (Buffalo mine-clearance, Cheetah, Ocelot, and JAMMA patrol vehicles). To date, the firm has received orders from Britain, Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Iraq, and Yemen; and Poland operates some on loan from the USA. Front line testimonials offer evidence of their effectiveness.
Cougar orders predate the USA’s MRAP program to rush mine-resistant vehicles to the front lines; indeed, the performance of Force Protection’s vehicles on the front lines was probably the #1 trigger for the MRAP program’s existence. This FOCUS article describes Force Protection’s vehicles and corporate performance, which became an issue in recent years. It also covers key events and procurements around the world related to Force Protection’s Cougar (MRAP CAT I & II), Buffalo (MRAP CAT III), and the firm’s related blast-resistant vehicle families.
- The Cougar Vehicles [updated]
- Cougar Family: Related Contracts & Events [updated]
- Appendix A: Ramping Up Production
- Appendix B: Additional Readings and Sources
Subscribe to DII and continue reading about important events surrounding the demand for Cougar armored vehicles and its producer, Force Protection, including:
- 14 photos and extensive links to DII's multi-angled coverage of Cougar vehicles and the other major players in the MRAP program
- Comprehensive headlines coverage - as the Cougar performs well in Iraq, and production ramps up at home, Force Protection takes a hit on Wall Street. What's behind the rise and stumble?
- The Cougar in Iraq: "It blew my fenders off, it blew the front bumper about 30 meters away. We never did find the fenders, but all the Marines inside the vehicle were OK."
- Force Protection grows from 12 employees in 2004 to more than 500 by 2007
- Details of the joint venture with General Dynamics, a delayed Annual Report, and new top-tier management
DII readers have easy access to more facts and the extensive Defense Industry Daily archive. DII has more than 200 defense procurement programs, daily updates, 1000s of links, expert analysis and industry news. Subscribe now.
