MRAP/APV Article in USA Today

[Intel_Airman]

Just got in from driving tonight. I was able to drive a Cougar 6X6. I was impressed with ride for as big as it is, but it's top heaviness scares me. I was driving about 30mph which was about the average speed, but one of our guys was screaming around the course at 45. I really thought he was gonna roll it.

It's a lot of vehicle, but isn't really designed for anyone that is above average height. With all my gear on I had a hell of a time moving from the back to the driver seat. I'm 6'3", so I had to sit between the front seats and slide my legs under the steering wheel to fit in.

For urban movement with troops I think this is a great a way to keep guys safe. I would be scared doing any off road stuff on uneven ground near water though. The vehicle has ample room for equipment, personnel, and anything else you wanna hall (detainees). Hell, it even had 4 point Corbeau racing harnesses in the back for personnel, lol.

[Ret10Echo]

Originally Posted by Intel_Airman

Just got in from driving tonight. I was able to drive a Cougar 6X6. I was impressed with ride for as big as it is, but it's top heaviness scares me. I was driving about 30mph which was about the average speed, but one of our guys was screaming around the course at 45. I really thought he was gonna roll it.

It's a lot of vehicle, but isn't really designed for anyone that is above average height. With all my gear on I had a hell of a time moving from the back to the driver seat. I'm 6'3", so I had to sit between the front seats and slide my legs under the steering wheel to fit in.

For urban movement with troops I think this is a great a way to keep guys safe. I would be scared doing any off road stuff on uneven ground near water though. The vehicle has ample room for equipment, personnel, and anything else you wanna hall (detainees). Hell, it even had 4 point Corbeau racing harnesses in the back for personnel, lol.

How fast do you think you could dismount with full kit on?

If someone could design a driving position for a vehicle specifically for a soldier in full kit that would be a great thing.

The standard, Seat, Pedals, Steering Wheel and shifter don't get it. Standard positioning of the driver's door also sucks.

[Intel_Airman]

Dismounting out the driver door, I think I could be on the ground in 3 seconds. However, if I had to move out the passenger side or through the back... it would be slow, very slow. When I moved from the back seats to the front to drive. I literally had to sit down and slide into the seat like I was wearing the vehicle.

That's why I said I would be scared to drive it near water. With a full kit on underwater or in fire, I don't think I would be able to maneuver out of anything but the driver side.

[mark46th]

I would like to hear about our efforts to stop the bad guys from planting IED's. We know what routes will be used, how about unmanned aerial recon? Foot patrols on roads where IED's are commonly used? Ambush/Sniper set ups on likely IED locations? How are the IED's triggered? Cell phones? Radio signals? Pressure sensitive triggers? Does SF use different tactics than the regular Army/Marines? I hope we are taking some hard proactive steps to to stop the placement of IED's...

[Pete S]

Originally Posted by mark46th

I would like to hear about our efforts to stop the bad guys from planting IED's. We know what routes will be used, how about unmanned aerial recon? Foot patrols on roads where IED's are commonly used? Ambush/Sniper set ups on likely IED locations? How are the IED's triggered? Cell phones? Radio signals? Pressure sensitive triggers? Does SF use different tactics than the regular Army/Marines? I hope we are taking some hard proactive steps to to stop the placement of IED's...

You're talking about dependable (and actionable) intel.
In conventional forces it is difficult, at times, to get the apropriate assets that will be able to take advantage of the situation. IE every patrol/convoy can't have Radio Recon working their magic, or have UAV's running route and area recon.

The MRAP apears to be a great vehicle, but it is more of a temporary solution.
I really don't like the fact that they are already looking at armor upgrades for it.
The money would be better spent developing new tactics or more training.

[FearMonkey]

I would like to hear about our efforts to stop the bad guys from planting IED's. We know what routes will be used, how about unmanned aerial recon? Foot patrols on roads where IED's are commonly used? Ambush/Sniper set ups on likely IED locations? How are the IED's triggered? Cell phones? Radio signals? Pressure sensitive triggers? Does SF use different tactics than the regular Army/Marines? I hope we are taking some hard proactive steps to to stop the placement of IED's...

Let's NOT violate OPSEC, and just say we did.

[Intel_Airman]

Originally Posted by FearMonkey

Let's NOT violate OPSEC, and just say we did.

I was going to say the same thing.