MRAPs

[AMX]

Originally Posted by DRG

Usually in cases like this I find the answer 5 minutes after I ask the question but I have been searching for a clear photo or indictor for 20 minutes and have yet to find one.

Can anyone tell me .......is that a 360 degree turret or a forward firing MG with armoured sides ?

Don

Does this help, or did I mix up the vehicle?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/defence...7625408113758/
And the next image in the gallery:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/defence...7625408113758/

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don,
That would be a 360 RO turret capable of mounting up to a. 12.7mm, though I believe the pictures show the UK LMG (7.62mm?). Away on a little R&R with CINCLANTHOME just happened to look in. Didn't see those pics when I went on FLICKR click on lsecond ref of last Post to the Scots Guards w/their HUSKY. Still getting used to this IPad I won, and you'll never guess who never gets to use it!?!
Hope you all have a great week!

Regards,
Pat

[scJazz]

I was reading an article about MRAPs which made me want to post the following. Apologies if it is already covered. I don't use MRAPs much if at all. Also perhaps this is the wrong thread for it but hey one titled MRAPs doesn't seem that bad right

Should MRAP class vehicles suffer (suffer even more) movement penalties for moving through any terrain that basically isn't road? High center of gravity is not optimal for offroading. So instead of 2 MP per Clear perhaps 3? 50/50 of getting stuck in Rough with move 1 hex, guaranteed if you move faster. This sort of thing?

[DRG]

There has already been some comment that they should be classed 2WD but the discussion didn't go far

Don

[Imp]

The problem would be dessert maps where I would think they would out perform 2WD, otherwise 2WD strikes me as a good option.

[scJazz]

Call me crazy but if the only place where they would outperform 2wd is desert, which seems reasonable, then 2wd seems a fair choice.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I'm afraid the S. Africans for instance would have a hard time with this argument, the CASSPIR Series and the models that proceeded them have a high center of gravity as much for mine protection as the terrain they operate in. With independent four wheel drive and the special suspension units installed, they'll eat a 2WD vehicle for breakfast, lunch and dinner and flush the bolts down the pooper later. Remember a 2x4 is your car in most cases and I don't think you would take it off road except in emergency would you? Granted my car on the paved road would leave a vehicle like the recently discussed HUSKY in the rear view but I have no illusions who would win off the pavement. And you have to bear in mind the power under the hood of these vehicles again the HUSKY has a road speed of 70mph/110km(?). Go to You Tube and watch the videos of the COUGER running at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds then get back to me. What kills me in these discussions are that people forget what these terms sometimes means (Present company excluded.) 2WD=2 wheels driving the rest, while 4x4/or AWD are all the wheels driving. In summary... some of these vehicles are 2WD with "on the fly" AWD options or are full time AWD. Pay attention to the "MOBILITY" and "MANUVERABILITY" sections as you browse the vehicles of your choice. I don't know of many 2WD vehicles that can handle a ~60% gradient or ~40% side slope, that's what an MRAP and TRACKED vehicle will do for you with added protection for your troops and weapons for protection even better then a "soft target" AWD truck. And here's my disclaimer I've used them for "specialized" purposes only, I rather prefer the IFV or APC. With the second ref the MRAPs are at the bottom of the section and I see they've done some updating since I last looked in as well.
http://www.military-today.com/trucks.htm
http://www.military-today.com/apc.htm

Thank you for the opportunity to get off my last unmentionable numbered post it was "creeping" us out before we headed home!?!

Regards,
Pat

[scJazz]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

I'm afraid the S. Africans for instance would have a hard time with this argument, the CASSPIR Series and the models that proceeded them have a high center of gravity as much for mine protection as the terrain they operate in. With independent four wheel drive and the special suspension units installed, they'll eat a 2WD vehicle for breakfast, lunch and dinner and flush the bolts down the pooper later. Remember a 2x4 is your car in most cases and I don't think you would take it off road except in emergency would you? Granted my car on the paved road would leave a vehicle like the recently discussed HUSKY in the rear view but I have no illusions who would win off the pavement. And you have to bear in mind the power under the hood of these vehicles again the HUSKY has a road speed of 70mph/110km(?). Go to You Tube and watch the videos of the COUGER running at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds then get back to me. What kills me in these discussions are that people forget what these terms sometimes means (Present company excluded.) 2WD=2 wheels driving the rest, while 4x4/or AWD are all the wheels driving. In summary... some of these vehicles are 2WD with "on the fly" AWD options or are full time AWD. Pay attention to the "MOBILITY" and "MANUVERABILITY" sections as you browse the vehicles of your choice. I don't know of many 2WD vehicles that can handle a ~60% gradient or ~40% side slope, that's what an MRAP and TRACKED vehicle will do for you with added protection for your troops and weapons for protection even better then a "soft target" AWD truck. And here's my disclaimer I've used them for "specialized" purposes only, I rather prefer the IFV or APC. With the second ref the MRAPs are at the bottom of the section and I see they've done some updating since I last looked in as well.
http://www.military-today.com/trucks.htm
http://www.military-today.com/apc.htm

Thank you for the opportunity to get off my last unmentionable numbered post it was "creeping" us out before we headed home!?!

Regards,
Pat

Fair enough Pat. I was just tossing the idea out there. Your argument against nerfing them is reasonable.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

This is more for FYI then anything else. First I will have inputs here for the 2014/2015 Campaign, as you can see things have been quiet here, but this is mostly due to priorities in other areas vs. development in this one. So there'll be a couple of old items that were put off and new equipment introduced. I think currently I'm holding data for about 6-8 new items here. AND NOT FOR THE U.S. & UK etc. they have enough MRAPs in the OOBs I think.
Now for the real purpose of this post... Rarely do we get a chance to see equipment on TV in use, however tonight on BBC America Top Gear @ 7:30pm EST look for Richard visits Lake Como, James travels to Afghanistan, Jeremy goes to Bruges, Belium. They used to title the episodes not this year I guess, anyway James will drive the FOXHOUND and travel in the MASTIFF (Which I probaly forgot has TI for the driver and commander.) anyway very interesting I thought.
Stick around for Jeremy if you want to know me better.

From the show on a memorial to the UK dead BEFORE they got this equipment (And the number of lives saved is impressive compared to the pre MRAP days.)...
"WHEN YOU GO HOME TELL THEM OF US AND SAY, FOR YOUR TOMMORROW WE GAVE OUR TODAY.
Sometimes they just leave us too soon.

Regards,
Pat

[gila]

Originally Posted by scJazz

Call me crazy but if the only place where they would outperform 2wd is desert, which seems reasonable, then 2wd seems a fair choice.

Call me crazy,but i'm thinking MRAP's are not going to improve any more than are currently,after all they are just big expensive IED resistant trucks,and nothing else special.