Buffalo (mine protected vehicle) explained

Buffalo
Origin:United States
Type:Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle
Is Vehicle:yes
Used By:See Operators
Wars:Iraq War, Afghanistan War
Manufacturer:Force Protection, Inc.
Production Date:2003
Weight:45320lb (curb weight)[1]
56000lb (max weight)
Length:27feet
Width:8.5feet
Height:13feet
Crew:2+4
Armour:All wheels and centerline mine protected
Engine:Mack ASET AI-400 I6
Engine Power:330 KW (450 HP)
Transmission:Allison HD-4560P automatic
Payload Capacity:38680lb
Fuel Capacity:85gal
Suspension:6×6 wheeled
Clearance:15 in (410 mm)
Vehicle Range:300 mi (483 km)
Speed:65 mph (105 km/h)

The Buffalo 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).

History

The Buffalo vehicle was designed based on the successful South African Casspir mine-protected vehicle.[2] The Casspir is a four-wheeled vehicle, while the Buffalo has six wheels. Buffalo is also fitted with a large articulated arm, used for ordnance disposal. Both vehicles incorporate a V-shaped monohull chassis that directs the force of the blast away from the occupants.[3]

Buffalo is also now equipped with BAE Systems' LROD cage armor for additional protection against RPG-7 anti-tank rounds.[4] Glass armor is sufficient at 6 inches thickness. Run-flat tires are mounted on all six wheels. The Buffalo combines ballistic and blast protection with infrared technology to detect the presence of dangerous ordnance and a robotic arm to disable the explosive ordnance. Personnel operate the Buffalo’s 30-foot robotic arm and claw from within the armored hull via a mounted camera and sensory equipment, to safely dispose of mines and IEDs.

In 2004, the United States had a limited number of Buffaloes in service, with an order for 15 more, at a cost of $10 million.[5] On June 6, 2008 Force Protection, Inc delivered its 200th Buffalo to the U.S. Military.[6]

In 2009 Force Protection started producing the A2 version, with major changes in the Axle Tech rear axles, Cat C13 engine, Cat CX31 transmission, and suspension, along with additional upgrades to the HVAC system, hood and front bumper. The easiest way to identify an A1 version from the A2 version is that the front bumper of the A2 has a larger profile. The last Buffalo A2 MRAP truck 795 was completed in June 2014. Force Protection was acquired by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in 2011 for $350 million.

Variants

Operators

Current

Notes and References

  1. http://www.forceprotection.net/models/buffalo/specs/buffalo_spec.pdf Buffalo fact sheet
  2. http://www.armedforces-int.com/projects/armoured-vehicles/Buffalo%20Armored%20Vehicle Buffalo Armoured Vehicle
  3. Web site: Combat engineers comb streets of Iraq for IEDs . . August 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110720125516/http://www.ng.mil/news/theonguard/2005/2005-08.pdf . 2011-07-20 .
  4. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/baes-lrod-cage-armor-03473 BAE’s LROD Cage Armor
  5. Web site: Buffalo helps protect from bullets, blasts . . 2004-09-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060206230857/http://www.dix.army.mil/PAO/Post04/post111904/bullets.htm . 2006-02-06 .
  6. Web site: 200th Buffalo MRAP delivered to military . Upi.com . 2008-06-06 . 2011-10-29.
  7. Web site: Buffalo A2 Undergoes Testing at White Sands . www.asd-network.com . 22 May 2022 . https://archive.today/20120719212020/http://www.asd-network.com/press_detail/18127/Buffalo_A2_Undergoes_Testing_at_White_Sands.htm . 19 July 2012 . dead.
  8. Web site: Buffalo vehicle coverage on . Defenseindustrydaily.com . 2007-05-08 . 2011-10-29 . 2007-06-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070630222313/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2007/05/canada-bringing-buffalos-cougars-to-afghanistan/index.php . dead .
  9. Web site: Force Protection, Inc. IN THE NEWS: Canadian Forces to Receive Additional Force Protection Vehicles . Forceprotection.net . 2011-10-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081227225128/http://www.forceprotection.net/news/news_article.html?id=270 . 2008-12-27 .
  10. News: Force Protection – Orders for an Additional 48 EROC Vehicles: Blast-Resistant Buffalo and Cougars – Industry News Release . . November 2008 . 2008-11-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081205122309/http://www.casr.ca/doc-news-force-protection.htm . 2008-12-05 .
  11. Web site: Mine-protected Transports . armada international . 2013.
  12. Web site: Major U.S. Arms Sales and Grants to Pakistan Since 2001.
  13. Web site: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database . 2013-04-22 . 2009-08-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090805014045/http://armstrade.sipri.org/arms_trade/trade_register.php . dead .
  14. News: Ukrainian Military Engineers to Receive Buffalo Mine Protected Vehicles . 18 August 2024 . Kyiv Post . 18 August 2024 . en.
  15. Web site: Chuter . Andrew . 2020-07-15 . British Army sheds an Afghan war legacy: blast-proof trucks . 2023-10-03 . Defense News . en.
  16. [{{cite web |url=http://www.ttu.fr/francais/Articles/tf700.html |title=TF700 |access-date=2008-06-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915065115/http://www.ttu.fr/francais/Articles/tf700.html |archive-date=2008-09-15 }} ''La Task Force 700 se prépare au théâtre afghan'', 06/28/2008, TTU</ref><ref>[http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080723/20080723005244.html?.v=1 ''French Military Orders Buffalo Vehicles from Force Protection'', 07/23/2008]

    Future

    Former

    • – 18 vehicles used in Afghanistan, no longer in service.[15]

    See also

    External links

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Buffalo (mine protected vehicle)".

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