Buffalo MRAP – Photos & Video

Buffalo MRAP
Χώρα	Ηπα
Πληκτρολογήστε	Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle
Χτισμένο	200+

Teh Βουβάλι is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle built by Force Protection, Inc., a division of General Dynamics. It is the largest vehicle in Force Protection’s line-up, followed by the Cougar HE MRAP and the Ocelot light protected patrol vehicle (LPPV).

Πηγή: Buffalo MRAP on Wiki

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The Buffalo is a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle designed for route clearance and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). Developed by Force Protection, Inc. (now part of General Dynamics), it is a large, six-wheeled vehicle based on the successful South African Casspir mine-protected vehicle. The Buffalo’s primary purpose is to safely find and neutralize mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) without putting its crew in danger. It’s widely used by the United States and other allied forces in conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Key Features and Design

The Buffalo’s design focuses heavily on crew survivability and blast protection.

• V-Shaped Hull: The vehicle’s most distinguishing feature is its V-shaped hull, which deflects the force of an explosion away from the crew compartment. This design is highly effective against landmines and IEDs.
• Robotic Arm: A crucial component of the Buffalo is its 30-foot (9-meter) articulated hydraulic arm, which is operated remotely from within the armored cab. The arm, equipped with a camera and sensors, allows the crew to safely investigate, disarm, or remove suspected explosive devices without leaving the vehicle.
• Armor: The Buffalo provides a high level of protection. Its armored capsule is made of a composite material and is further shielded by slat armor (also known as cage armor) to protect against rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The windows are made of six-inch-thick bullet-resistant glass. It’s classified as having Level 3 protection by STANAG 4569 standards.
• Engine and Mobility: The original Buffalo A1 was powered by a Mack ASET AI-400 diesel engine, while the A2 version, which began production in 2009, was upgraded with a Caterpillar C13 engine. With a top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h), the 6×6 wheeled vehicle has good off-road mobility despite its massive size. The tires are also equipped with run-flat inserts.

Variants and History

The Buffalo’s design is an evolution of a concept that originated in South Africa’s border wars, where the Casspir proved the effectiveness of mine-protected vehicles.

• Buffalo A1 and A2: The initial production model was the A1. The A2 version featured significant mechanical upgrades, including a new Caterpillar engine and transmission, as well as an improved suspension and HVAC system.
• International Use: While the Buffalo is most associated with the US military, it is also used by other countries, including Canada, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
• Guinness World Record: At one point, the Buffalo was recognized by Guinness World Records as the heaviest wheeled route-clearance vehicle.