Army tests aim to improve MRAPs

[unhappycamper]

Army tests aim to improve MRAPs
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, February 28, 2009

BAGHDAD — Army testing teams are conducting surveys on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle, seeking to correct deficiencies that soldiers have identified since its introduction to combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to military officials, some 900 surveys have been collected over the last six months. The 24-member team from the Army’s Testing and Evaluation Command was most recently in Baghdad, officials said.

One of the early complaints addressed was the hazard to gunners from low-hanging power lines. The MRAPs are much higher than other military vehicles, and soldiers faced the possibility of being electrocuted when wires came in contact with the turrets.

To combat that, soldiers in the field created a relatively simple fix: running PVC piping to guide the wires over the vehicles. Now the problem is addressed before the vehicles are fielded.

Another problem was troops trying to maneuver in the front seats when wearing full battle gear.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61023