Military Advisory Team Receives New Combat Vehicles

The MAT conducts escorted convoy operations to the barracks of mentored units on a daily basis, which requires such highly important elements as mobility and protection against small arms fire and roadside IEDs planted by insurgents. The new vehicles have the advantage of all-terrain capability, which the MaxxPros do not have. At the same time, their smaller transport capacity is a disadvantage, as they can carry only five personnel instead of seven.

From now on, the MAT has both types available, which provides great flexibility in planning and executing day-to-day missions.

The M-ATV (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle) is a product of the US Oshkosh Defense Co. The vehicle has the protection level of larger MRAPs, and its mobility is comparable with that of the HM1114 HMMWV, or even better. The M-ATV is a result of multiple development projects. The TAK-4 independent suspension system was developed for the Northrop Grumman Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (which is scheduled to replace the HMMWV), whereas the V-shaped armored hull designed by Plasan Co. offers protection from IED attacks.

The M-ATV entered service in 2009, after it was chosen as the sole winner of the US Marine Corps MRAP contest, being one of the five candidates selected for the program. The armor and design of the vehicle offers protection against small arms fire. The vehicle can take a 7.62 round even to its most sensitive part, the engine oil/coolant system, which remains operable.
The inflated run-flat tires allow it to travel at around 50 km/h even if two tires lose pressure.
The Stat-X engine fire suppression system effectively protects the crew as well. Apart from the driver, the M-ATV can transport three passengers and one machine gunner to up to 500-km distances on all kinds of terrain.

The armament of the vehicle may include machine guns of different calibers, an automatic grenade launcher, and anti-tank guided missiles. Some variants are fitted with the remote-controlled CROWS system. The vehicle has a gross weight of around 15 tons, and is powered by a 7.2 liter inline-6 Caterpillar C7 engine which delivers 370 bhp. Its maximum speed is 105 km/h.

Capt. Gabriel D. Sanchez, Coalition Support Chief, ASFOR-A North J4 transferred the M-ATVs to Col. Zoltán Bárány, the commander of the MAT. With an in-theatre regrouping, the vehicles have arrived to Camp Marmal, the operational base of the MAT as a result of long-running preparations and organizing work.

Needless to say, the Hungarian users of the vehicle were required to undergo proper training for the type. As a prerequisite for capability generation, the combat vehicle drivers serving with the close protection team of the contingent participated in a type retraining course provided by the trainers of the US 1230th Transportation Company stationed in Camp Pratt. This course was complemented with the driving practices organized by the contingent, as a result of which the drivers have advanced skills, and the advisory staff now has basic skills for use in emergency.

After the transfer, the contingent immediately put the vehicles into use for its day-to-day missions.

Photo: MAT-2