CHARLESTON, SC:The next generation of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, the MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATVs), are now arriving at Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic.
As with the MRAP vehicles, SSC Atlantic is responsible for the prototyping, testing, integration, installation and quality assurance of all advanced electronic communications equipment on the M-ATVs.
The M-ATVs are manufactured by Oshkosh Corporation, which was awarded the production contract June 30. More than 6,600 M-ATVs are currently authorized.
The M-ATV answers an urgent and compelling requirement to protect warfighters with a highly survivable, off-road capable vehicle. The M-ATV mission is for small unit combat operations in highly restricted rural, mountainous and urban environments that include mounted patrols, reconnaissance, security, convoy protection and communications.
The vehicles have started to flow from the vendor to SSC Atlantic. The first shipment of integrated vehicles has been flown to warfighters in Afghanistan. These vehicles will be used to complement other tactical vehicles, including MRAPs currently being used. The lack of established roads and bridges in the Afghanistan theater of operations requires a more mobile vehicle than the previous MRAPs produced.
Since the Office of the Secretary of Defense determined the M-ATV is within the MRAP family of vehicles, it will continue to be managed by the MRAP Joint Program Office. The Marine Corps is executing the joint program on behalf of the Navy (lead service) with Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Michael Brogan as the joint program executive officer.
According to Brogan, lessons learned during the MRAP integration efforts in Charleston have been valuable in speeding the manufacture, prototyping and installation of the government furnished equipment (GFE) that provides command and control, communications, computer, intelligence capabilities on the M-ATVs.
SSC Atlantic’s solid partnerships with small- to mid-sized industry provide the agility required to meet the demands associated with a project of this magnitude. As with the MRAP effort, the M-ATV team is responsible for every aspect of the activities, from engineering to receipt and final inspection in theater. SSC Atlantic also provides engineering reachback for all capability packages.
“The MRAP vehicles have resulted in the saving of many lives and limbs, and our involvement in this program has been very rewarding,” said SSC Atlantic Commanding Officer Capt. Bruce Urbon. “We look forward to continuing our role providing direct support to the warfighter by integrating advanced electronic communications equipment in the M-ATVs.”
