Posted on 05/12/2006 2:06:52 PM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4
Back in November, 2005, DefenseReview published a press release on the Cougar Joint Explosive Ordnance Rapid Response Vehicle (JERRV) and Buffalo Mine Clearance Vehicle made by Force Protection, Inc. (a.k.a. Force Protection Industries, Inc.). We've been hearing good things about the performance of these armored vehicles in the Sandbox (theater of operations), and recently spoke with Force Protection VP Mike Aldrich about them. Two of the vehicle design features we on the phone discussed were V-hull and diamond-shaped crew compartment utilized by both vehicles. We're going to publish a more in-depth article on the Buffalo and Cougar armored vehicles based on our interview with Mr. Aldrich as soon as we can. In the meantime, we have some photos of a Cougar vehicle that survived a mine blast during an operation in Iraq. Mr. Aldrich was kind enough to send us a sanitized testimonial letter from one of the three EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) specialists that were in the vehicle. All three men survived.
"Just wanted to write a quick note to all of you at your company to thank you for the hard work you put into the Cougar vehicle. We are stationed in [omitted] Iraq and about 2 weeks ago our JERRV/Cougar ran over [deleted] mine coming back from a call downtown. It had been raining that night and the mines were placed in a hole filled with water. Right after the explosion, the Cougar was driven for two miles on the three remaining tires at speeds in excess of 20 mph so that we could make it to a safe area.
The new Cougar Hardened Engineer Vehicle is among the latest tools engineers are using in Iraq. Combat engineers with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment are some of the first to employ this new vehicle.
HOLY CRAP!! That's one tough truck. Gotta love it!!
In this case ugly is good!
< yuppie whine > Doesn't it come in any other color? < /whine >
My kids might actually let me drop them off at the mall in front of their friends if I was driving them in one of these!
But in this one, it's not.
Tough truck and glad to see the Marines getting something new first.
Now as far as that picture it needs to be banned and the sooner the better.
That's one fine vehicle. Kept the guys alive.
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