| Cougar H | |
|---|---|
Cougar in service with US Military in Iraq |
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| Service history | |
| Used by | Canada, Croatia, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Poland, United Kingdom, Denmark, United States. |
| Wars | Iraq War, War in Afghanistan |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Technical Solutions (South Africa) |
| Manufacturer | Force Protection Industries |
| Unit cost | $475,000 |
| Produced | 2002 |
| Variants | Cougar HE |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | Curb: 32,000 lb (14.5 t) Gross max: 38,000 lb (17.2 t)[1] |
| Length | 19.41 ft (5.91 m) |
| Width | 9.0 ft (2.74 m) |
| Height | 8.67 ft (2.64 m) |
| Crew | 2+4[1] |
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|
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| Armor | Classified |
| Main armament |
Optional remote weapon station (Common Remotely Operated Weapon System II) |
| Secondary armament |
Optional firing ports |
| Engine | Caterpillar C-7 Diesel I6 330 HP (243 kW) |
| Payload capacity | 6,000 lb (2.72 t)[1] |
| Transmission | Allison 3500SP automatic[2] |
| Suspension | 4×4 wheeled |
| Ground clearance | 15 in (410 mm) |
| Operational range |
600 mi (966 km) |
| Speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
| Cougar HE | |
|---|---|
Cougar HE |
|
| Service history | |
| Used by | United States Armed Forces, British Army |
| Wars | Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Technical Solutions (South Africa) |
| Manufacturer | Force Protection Industries |
| Unit cost | $644,000 |
| Produced | 2002 |
| Variants | Cougar H |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | Curb: 38,000 lb (19.0 t) Gross max: 49,000 lb (24.5 t)[3] Mastiff: 50,000 lb (25.0 t) maximum[4] |
| Length | 7.08 m (23.25 ft) |
| Width | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Height | 2.64 m (8.67 ft) |
| Crew | 2+10[2] |
|
|
|
| Armor | allround protected from .50 cal [5] |
| Main armament |
Optional remote weapon station (Common Remotely Operated Weapon System II) |
| Secondary armament |
Optional firing ports |
| Engine | Caterpillar C-7 Diesel I6 243 kW (330 hp) |
| Payload capacity | 13,000 lb (5.90 t)[3] |
| Transmission | Allison 3500SP automatic |
| Suspension | 6x6 wheeled |
| Ground clearance | 15 in (410 mm) |
| Operational range |
600 miles (966 km) |
| Speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
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.[2] These specialty vehicles are protected against small arms, land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) using a combination of design features and materials to protect both the crew and engine compartment against a wide range of attacks.[6] 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 (38 °C) in Iraq.
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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.[7] 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 (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) and other vehicle programs.[8] 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.[7] Since then, Cougar vehicles have been hit by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) many times in Iraq with few fatalities. Britain chose the Cougar over the RG-31 Nyala for their "Mastiff" APV.[9]
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.
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 mines or IEDs.
The Cougar is used by the United States Armed Forces 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.[24] 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".[25][26] 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.[27]
Canada has deployed the Cougar since October 2007 in Afghanistan.[28]
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