MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Feb. 2, 2006) -- A new vehicle is revving up to defend America’s troops against the threat of improvised explosive devices in Iraq. The Cougar and Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicle (JERRV) are new tools at Marines’ disposal to combat transportation threats. The vehicles feature a South African-inspired V-shaped hull, which is designed to distribute the impact of an IED or mine blast outward away from the crew compartment. The hull has already proven its worth in combat mission in Iraq. The RG-31, a similar but smaller vehicle than the Cougar, recently took...