DoD Moves Ahead with Next Generation MRAP Contract

The Associated Press reports that the U.S. Department of Defense has accelerated a contract to provide lighter, more mobile MRAP vehicles for use in Afghanistan. The initial bids are required in January of next year, and like the recent JLTV award, there will be two teams delivering prototypes for testing prior to a decision to award the full up production contract. MRAP vehicles have been used effectively over the last three years in Iraq and Afghanistan to defeat the IED threat. They tend to be large, heavy vehicles that work best on improved surfaces. The MRAP-All Terrain Vehicle will improve off-road and rough terrain performance.