BAE's mine-resistant armoured vehicles save US troops from IEDs in Iraq

BAE-designed and built mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) armoured vehicles are protecting US and British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan from roadside bombs and ambushes. The company contributes the design and build of three such vehicles for the US Department of Defense's (DoD) programme, spearheaded by the US Marine Corps.

MRAPs are the US Pentagon's top acquisition priority to meet insurgent threats, and BAE-designed and built vehicles now account for more than 2,300 of almost 5,000 ordered so far. The DoD's total requirement could finally rise to more than 20,000.

The initial contract was in January 2007, for two 4x4 and two 6x6 versions of the RG33 family of vehicles. Since then, a series of orders has increased BAE's contribution to the MRAP programme to 2,307 vehicles, with a combined contract value of $944.7 million.

MRAPs come in three categories. Category I vehicles carry up to six people, for urban combat operations. Category II vehicles can carry up to 10 people, mainly for convoy operations and troop transport. Category III vehicles are for mine clearance and disposal.

The advanced and highly survivable RG33 offers more volume under armour than any other mine-protected vehicle and protects its occupants against improvised explosive devices (IEDs), small arms, heavy machine gun fire and mines. Its unique monocoque V-shaped hull delivers enhanced blast protection.

BAE says the RG33's design leverages the best expertise from four decades of designing mine-protected and mine-hardened vehicles for South Africa, as well as the high-survivability combat vehicles it has supplied to the US.

The company's facilities in the US are now producing RG33 vehicles to deliver the US Marine Corps' orders worth $291.2 million, for 531 Category I (4x4) and Category II (6x6) vehicles, including special operations and ambulance variants.

BAE Systems also makes two other MRAP vehicles. BAE Systems Land Systems in South Africa, through its partnership with General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS-C), was awarded a $135 million order for 600 Category II RG31 Mk5E vehicles for the Marines.

The vehicle is an extended version of the RG31 Mk5 currently in service, which has already proven to be highly effective against mines, IEDs and ballistic threats encountered by US and allied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Its recent acquisition of Armor Holdings means that BAE Systems will be building 1,170 MRAP vehicles based on the Caiman family of medium tactical vehicles, following a $518.5 million order for 1,154 Category I and 16 Category II vehicles placed in July.

Marine Corps Brigadier General Michael Brogan says of BAE's MRAP vehicles: "They are giving troops a sense of confidence that spills into their mission. From a performance standpoint, it's done its job. From a reliability standpoint, it's exceeded its job."