US Army and Marine Corps MRAPs

A detailed look at the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles that saw service with US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle revolutionised the United States Army and Marine Corps inventory when it was introduced in 2007.

Designed to meet the challenges of operating in a counterinsurgency environment, the MRAP took survivability to a new level. With three classifications set by the US Department of Defense - Category I, Category II, and Category III - a variety of companies were able to produce vehicles designed for all sorts of purposes, from urban combat to explosive ordnance disposal.

Featuring illustrations and up-to-date service records, Mike Guardia evaluates how MRAPs performed in the asymmetric warfare environment. Their unique design and survivability characteristics have saved the lives hundreds of soldiers who otherwise would have been lost to landmines or IED attacks, though like any combat system, the MRAP is not without its drawbacks.