Cougar (vehicle)
Encyclopedia
The Cougar is an armored fighting vehicle designed to be resistant to anti-vehicle mines and improvised munitions
.
It is a family of armored vehicles produced by Force Protection Inc
, which manufactures ballistic and mine-protected vehicles. The automotives are integrated by Spartan Motors
. These specialty vehicles are protected against small arms
, land mine
s and IEDs using a combination of design features and materials to protect both the crew and engine compartment against a wide range of attacks. A Monocoque
type, V-shaped hull
extends to the engine bay and serves to direct the blast away from under the vehicle. The dual air-conditioners help keep heavily dressed troops from overheating in temperatures over 100 °F (37.8 °C) in Iraq.
Some 4,000 of these vehicles will have been fielded under the US military's MRAP
(Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) and other vehicle programs. US Defense secretary Robert Gates
demanded that the vehicles be ordered in larger numbers after the Marines reported in 2004 that no troops had died in more than 300 IED attacks on Cougars. Since then, Cougar vehicles have been hit by improvised explosive device
s (IEDs) many times in Iraq
with few fatalities. Britain chose the Cougar over the RG-31 Nyala for their "Mastiff" APV.
The Pentagon has future plans to add the Crows II
remote weapon station, Raytheon Quick Kill active anti-RPG system, and the Frag Kit 6
anti-EFP
armor.
Cougar HEV (Hardened engineer vehicle) : 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles ordered in 2004 by the USMC.
Badger ILAV (Iraqi Light Armored Vehicle) : Based on the Cougar and manufactured by FPII and BAE Systems
for the Iraqi Army
. The ILAV is based on the Cougar, which can carry ten passengers (the six wheel version can carry 16). The Cougar/ILAV vehicle uses a capsule design to protect the passengers and key vehicle components from mines
and roadside bombs. The larger Cougar costs about $730,000 each, fully equipped. The Cougars have been very popular with American troops, and with Iraqis who have worked with them. 865 ILAVs were ordered by Iraq
and 18 by Yemen
. The ILAV gives the Iraqis the same degree of protection that most Coalition troops have.
Cougar JERRV (Joint EOD rapid response vehicle) : 4x4 and 6x6 variants for the US Army, USAF, and USMC. Approx. 200 ordered in 2005 and 2006, with another 200 ordered in late 2006 but now called MRAPs to take account of the new US military/political initiative to be seen to be responding to public concerns about casualties.
Cougar ISS : Based on the Cougar 4x4, the ISS is fitted with an integrated independent suspension system that gives the vehicle increased cross-country mobility.
Ridgback PPV (Protected Patrol Vehicle) : British version of the Cougar 4x4 from FPII base vehicles with a British armor package and electronics, including installation of Enforcer remote weapon stations on some vehicles.
Mastiff PPV (Protected Patrol Vehicle) : British version of the Cougar 6x6, with FPII providing the base vehicle and NP Aerospace in the UK integrating electronics and the British armor package. The Mastiff 2 is an improved version with a capacity of 2 + 8. The Mastiff is armed with a 7.62 mm GPMG, 12.7 mm Heavy Machine Gun or 40 mm Grenade Machine Gun.
Mastiff 2 'Protected Eyes' : A version of the British Mastiff specially designed for the Talisman Counter-IED program. It is fitted with an M151 Protector
remote weapon station, mine plow, optical camera and a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) with screens in the back to display its camera feed.
Wolfhound (Heavy Tactical Support Vehicle) : British modification of the Cougar 6x6, with FPII providing the base vehicle and NP Aerospace in the UK integrating electronics and the British armor package. The first Wolfhounds entered service in Afghanistan in October 2010. 130 have been ordered for gun tractor and logistical roles.
MRAP : Several thousand vehicles of 4x4 and 6x6 configuration for all of the US Armed Forces, though mostly for the USMC. Over 3500 MRAPs will be delivered by the end of 2008.
- 40 Cougar JERRV 4+ US Army donated several Coguar MRAVs to the Croatian Army ISAF contingent in Afghanistan. Georgian HQ units who are part of the ISAF are using the Cougar HEs in the Helmand Province. 3 Cougar bought, possibly more will follow Badger
378 (ordered in 2007) + 672 (ordered by 2009) 6 Coguar H used in Afghanistan by the Italian Army 40 on loan from the US - 248 Mastiffs, 90 Wolfhound and 157 Ridgbacks on order
and Iraqi Army
and has now entered service with the British Army
. In service with those countries, the Cougar is used in a variety of roles, including the HEV (Hardened Engineer Vehicle) and the Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicles (JERRVs
) while in service with the US Marine Corps, US Navy Seabees, and US Air Force RED HORSE
.
Compared to the original Cougar vehicle, the British Forces variant is to be fitted with large, vertical armor plates which cover the large vision blocks and weapon firing ports. This is in line with British Army doctrine concerning the role of the APC/MICV, specifically that it is to carry troops under protection to the objective and then give firepower support when they have disembarked. The Mastiff will be fitted with a turret sporting either a L7A2 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun), L110A1 Light Machine Gun
, L11A1 Heavy Machine Gun, L134A1 40mm Grenade Machine Gun
, or even a 50mm cannon. One aspect of the British Army's approach to APC/MICV units (which differs to that of the United States) is that ability of the average soldier to fire accurately out of the ports of a moving IFV has been questioned. The large armor plates will also give added side protection from RPGs or IED explosions.
The British Army
has operated an earlier MPV named "Tempest MPV". As of November 2008, the British Army has ordered over 400 Cougar vehicles for deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan following a series of Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs). Deliveries of the first 86 Mastiffs began in February 2007, and an order for 22 further vehicles was placed in March, bringing the total to 108. In October 2007 Gordon Brown announced a further 140 Mastiffs and 157 new Cougar 4x4 variants, named Ridgback were being ordered to protect troops from mines and roadside bombs.
Canada has deployed the Cougar since October 2007 in Afghanistan.
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
.
It is a family of armored vehicles produced by Force Protection Inc
Force Protection Inc
Force Protection, Inc. is a manufacturer of ballistic- and blast-protected vehicles which have been used in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and other hot spots around the world.-Company:...
, which manufactures ballistic and mine-protected vehicles. The automotives are integrated by Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors
Spartan Motors, Inc. is an engineering firm and manufacturer of custom-designed motor vehicle chassis and bodies. The company is based in Charlotte, Michigan with 870 employees and a net profit margin of 2.42% . It was started in 1976 by Charles Robert McManamey and a group of individuals whose...
. These specialty vehicles are protected against small arms
Small arms
Small arms is a term of art used by armed forces to denote infantry weapons an individual soldier may carry. The description is usually limited to revolvers, pistols, submachine guns, carbines, assault rifles, battle rifles, multiple barrel firearms, sniper rifles, squad automatic weapons, light...
, land mine
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
s and IEDs using a combination of design features and materials to protect both the crew and engine compartment against a wide range of attacks. A Monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
type, V-shaped hull
V-hull
The V-hull is a type of vehicle armor design used on wheeled armored personnel carriers , infantry mobility vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles...
extends to the engine bay and serves to direct the blast away from under the vehicle. The dual air-conditioners help keep heavily dressed troops from overheating in temperatures over 100 °F (37.8 °C) in Iraq.
Development
Technical Solutions was building a new type of mine-resistant vehicle based on South African vehicles. Technical Solutions was purchased in 2002 by Sonic Jet and the combined company renamed itself Force Protection. The Cougar was designed in 2004 by a small team at Force Protection, Inc. in the US in response to an urgent requirement by the US Marine Corps. Contrary to common belief, this was not a South African vehicle but rather a new design developed in the US based on an evolution of vehicle mine-protection technology used by the UK, Rhodesian and South African forces from the 1950s. The rapid development and production followed a USMC request that the first vehicle be delivered within 6 months of an order.Some 4,000 of these vehicles will have been fielded under the US military's MRAP
MRAP (armored vehicle)
A Mine Resistant Ambush Protected is a family of armored fighting vehicles design led by the United States Marine Corps in use by the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces with the goal of surviving IED attacks and ambushes - prompted by US deaths in Iraq...
(Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) and other vehicle programs. US Defense secretary Robert Gates
Robert Gates
Dr. Robert Michael Gates is a retired civil servant and university president who served as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011. Prior to this, Gates served for 26 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council, and under President George H. W....
demanded that the vehicles be ordered in larger numbers after the Marines reported in 2004 that no troops had died in more than 300 IED attacks on Cougars. Since then, Cougar vehicles have been hit by improvised explosive device
Improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device , also known as a roadside bomb, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action...
s (IEDs) many times in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
with few fatalities. Britain chose the Cougar over the RG-31 Nyala for their "Mastiff" APV.
The Pentagon has future plans to add the Crows II
Common Remotely Operated Weapon System
The Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station program, is a remote weapon station that provides the operator with the ability to acquire and engage targets while inside a vehicle, protected by its armor...
remote weapon station, Raytheon Quick Kill active anti-RPG system, and the Frag Kit 6
Frag kit 6
Frag Kit 6 is a vehicular armor upgrade kit developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to defeat explosively formed projectiles , a type of improvised explosive device . It is designed to be added on armored vehicles such as the MRAP and unarmored Humvee...
anti-EFP
Explosively Formed Penetrator
An explosively formed penetrator , also known as an explosively formed projectile, a self-forging warhead, or a self-forging fragment, is a special type of shaped charge designed to penetrate armour effectively at standoff distances...
armor.
Variants
The Cougar comes in two configurations, a 4×4 and 6×6. It is designed for the transport and protection of troops and equipment, especially against explosives (IEDs).Cougar HEV (Hardened engineer vehicle) : 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles ordered in 2004 by the USMC.
Badger ILAV (Iraqi Light Armored Vehicle) : Based on the Cougar and manufactured by FPII and BAE Systems
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
for the Iraqi Army
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
. The ILAV is based on the Cougar, which can carry ten passengers (the six wheel version can carry 16). The Cougar/ILAV vehicle uses a capsule design to protect the passengers and key vehicle components from mines
Land mine
A land mine is usually a weight-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage a target—either human or inanimate—by means of a blast and/or fragment impact....
and roadside bombs. The larger Cougar costs about $730,000 each, fully equipped. The Cougars have been very popular with American troops, and with Iraqis who have worked with them. 865 ILAVs were ordered by Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and 18 by Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
. The ILAV gives the Iraqis the same degree of protection that most Coalition troops have.
Cougar JERRV (Joint EOD rapid response vehicle) : 4x4 and 6x6 variants for the US Army, USAF, and USMC. Approx. 200 ordered in 2005 and 2006, with another 200 ordered in late 2006 but now called MRAPs to take account of the new US military/political initiative to be seen to be responding to public concerns about casualties.
Cougar ISS : Based on the Cougar 4x4, the ISS is fitted with an integrated independent suspension system that gives the vehicle increased cross-country mobility.
Ridgback PPV (Protected Patrol Vehicle) : British version of the Cougar 4x4 from FPII base vehicles with a British armor package and electronics, including installation of Enforcer remote weapon stations on some vehicles.
Mastiff PPV (Protected Patrol Vehicle) : British version of the Cougar 6x6, with FPII providing the base vehicle and NP Aerospace in the UK integrating electronics and the British armor package. The Mastiff 2 is an improved version with a capacity of 2 + 8. The Mastiff is armed with a 7.62 mm GPMG, 12.7 mm Heavy Machine Gun or 40 mm Grenade Machine Gun.
Mastiff 2 'Protected Eyes' : A version of the British Mastiff specially designed for the Talisman Counter-IED program. It is fitted with an M151 Protector
Protector M151
The M151 PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station is a remotely-controlled weapons station that can be mounted to vehicles and stationary platforms...
remote weapon station, mine plow, optical camera and a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) with screens in the back to display its camera feed.
Wolfhound (Heavy Tactical Support Vehicle) : British modification of the Cougar 6x6, with FPII providing the base vehicle and NP Aerospace in the UK integrating electronics and the British armor package. The first Wolfhounds entered service in Afghanistan in October 2010. 130 have been ordered for gun tractor and logistical roles.
MRAP : Several thousand vehicles of 4x4 and 6x6 configuration for all of the US Armed Forces, though mostly for the USMC. Over 3500 MRAPs will be delivered by the end of 2008.
Operators
for Canadian ForcesCanadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
- 40 Cougar JERRV 4+ US Army donated several Coguar MRAVs to the Croatian Army ISAF contingent in Afghanistan. Georgian HQ units who are part of the ISAF are using the Cougar HEs in the Helmand Province. 3 Cougar bought, possibly more will follow Badger
Iraqi Light Armored Vehicle
Iraqi Light Armored Vehicle is an armored fighting vehicle based on the Cougar and manufactured by FPII and BAE Systems for the Iraqi Army. Nicknamed the Badger, The ILAV is based on the Cougar, which can carry ten passengers...
378 (ordered in 2007) + 672 (ordered by 2009) 6 Coguar H used in Afghanistan by the Italian Army 40 on loan from the US - 248 Mastiffs, 90 Wolfhound and 157 Ridgbacks on order
-
- Blackwater USABlackwater USAXe Services LLC, better known by its former names, Blackwater USA and Blackwater Worldwide, is a private military company founded in 1997 by Erik Prince and Al Clark.. Xe is currently the largest of the U.S. State Department's three private security contractors...
- US Army
- US Navy
- US Marine Corps
- US Air Force
- Blackwater USA
Operational history
The Cougar is used by the United States Armed ForcesUnited States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
and Iraqi Army
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
and has now entered service with the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. In service with those countries, the Cougar is used in a variety of roles, including the HEV (Hardened Engineer Vehicle) and the Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicles (JERRVs
JERRVs
Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicles or Joint Engineering Rapid Response Vehicles are vehicles that United States Joint Service Engineers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal units use in war zones, such as Iraq.-EOD application:...
) while in service with the US Marine Corps, US Navy Seabees, and US Air Force RED HORSE
Red Horse
Red Horse may refer to:*Red Horse , an album and folk group formed by Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka, and Lucy Kaplansky*The Red Horse, a novel by Eugenio Corti*Red Horse Beer, a beer brewed in the Philippines...
.
Compared to the original Cougar vehicle, the British Forces variant is to be fitted with large, vertical armor plates which cover the large vision blocks and weapon firing ports. This is in line with British Army doctrine concerning the role of the APC/MICV, specifically that it is to carry troops under protection to the objective and then give firepower support when they have disembarked. The Mastiff will be fitted with a turret sporting either a L7A2 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun), L110A1 Light Machine Gun
FN Minimi
The Minimi is a Belgian 5.56mm light machine gun developed by Fabrique Nationale in Herstal by Ernest Vervier. First introduced in 1974, it has entered service with the armed forces of over thirty countries...
, L11A1 Heavy Machine Gun, L134A1 40mm Grenade Machine Gun
Heckler & Koch GMG
The GMG is an automatic grenade launcher developed by Heckler & Koch for the German Army. It is also often referred to as GMW .-Design details:...
, or even a 50mm cannon. One aspect of the British Army's approach to APC/MICV units (which differs to that of the United States) is that ability of the average soldier to fire accurately out of the ports of a moving IFV has been questioned. The large armor plates will also give added side protection from RPGs or IED explosions.
The British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
has operated an earlier MPV named "Tempest MPV". As of November 2008, the British Army has ordered over 400 Cougar vehicles for deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan following a series of Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs). Deliveries of the first 86 Mastiffs began in February 2007, and an order for 22 further vehicles was placed in March, bringing the total to 108. In October 2007 Gordon Brown announced a further 140 Mastiffs and 157 new Cougar 4x4 variants, named Ridgback were being ordered to protect troops from mines and roadside bombs.
Canada has deployed the Cougar since October 2007 in Afghanistan.
See also
- Cheetah MMPVCheetah MMPVThe Cheetah MMPV is built by Force Protection Inc. It is the smallest of Force Protection's line-up, consisting of the...
- Buffalo (mine protected vehicle)Buffalo (mine protected vehicle)The Buffalo mine protected vehicle is a wheeled armored vehicle built by Force Protection Inc. It was designed based on the successful South African Casspir mine-protected vehicle. While the Casspir is a four wheeled vehicle, the Buffalo has six wheels. Buffalo is also fitted with a large...
- MRAP (armored vehicle)MRAP (armored vehicle)A Mine Resistant Ambush Protected is a family of armored fighting vehicles design led by the United States Marine Corps in use by the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces with the goal of surviving IED attacks and ambushes - prompted by US deaths in Iraq...
- International MaxxProInternational MaxxProThe International MaxxPro MRAP is an armored fighting vehicle designed by American company Navistar International's subsidiary Navistar Defense along with the Israeli Plasan Sasa, who designed and manufactures the vehicle's armor...
- Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle
- Marauder (Mine Protected Vehicle)Marauder (Mine Protected Vehicle)The Marauder is an armoured, mine-protected vehicle that is produced by the Paramount Group in South Africa. It was launched during the 2007 International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, the largest arms exhibition in the Middle East....
External links
- http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/fighting-vehicles/1487.aspx"Mastiff" on British ArmyBritish ArmyThe British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
website] - Force Protection Cougar page
- Hungarian Cougar 4x4, EOD version
- Cougar MRAP H 4x4 Technical data sheet and pictures Army Recognition
- Cougar MRAP HE 6x6 Technical data sheet and pictures Army Recognition
- Cougar page on GlobalSecurity.org
- Cougar 4x4 page and Cougar 6x6 page on deagel.com
- New Cougar HEV to hit Corps soon
- BBC News Article including reference to Cougar Purchase
- Military.com
- News about Cougar at Defense-Update
- Cougar H/HE on Armour.ws
- Youtube Video of "Future Weapons" episode featuring the Cougar.
- Youtube video of U.S. Military produced show "Iraq Freedom Minute" episode of Cougar MRAP
- Project Details of Cougar 4x4 Variant on Army Technology
- Mastiff Force Protection Vehicle on Armedforces.co.uk