The Trouble With MRAPs

The MRAP family of vehicles are saving soldiers' lives in Afghanistan, but suffer from flaws that make replacements urgently needed. During the past seven years, the Pentagon has tried to adapt its MRAP fleet to better handle the rigors of combat. Flaw: Top-heavy vehicles are prone to tip over, which can be deadly along bridges, culverts and mountainous terrain. Stop-gap solution: The U.S. military is sending a vehicle rollover simulator to train deployed troops how to escape from a tipped-over MRAP. Flaw: The antenna of tall vehicles can touch power lines, risking electrocution for occupants.Stop-gap Solution: Soldiers use rope to tie down the whipcord antenna until they are needed. Flaw: Suspensions break when on bad or nonexistent roads. Temporary Fix: Oshkosh is replacing suspension of more than 1500 existing MRAPs with its advanced TAK-4 system, which allows up to 16 inches of wheel travel. Also, this year the Pentagon and industry manufacturers started to modify MRAPs with central tire-inflation systems that deflate before the wheels hit an obstacle.