International MaxxPro: Difference between revisions

International MaxxPro MRAP
MaxxPro Dash
Type	MRAP Category 1 & 2
Service history
Used by	See operators
Wars	Iraq war–War in Afghanistan
Production history
Designer	International Truck/Plasan
Designed	2007
Manufacturer	International Truck
Produced	2007-Present
No. built	9,000[1]
Specifications
Mass	CAT I: 28,000-29,500 lbs (12,7 - 13,4 t) CAT II: 30,000-32,000 lbs (13,6 - 14,5 t)[2]
Length	21.17- 23.5 ft(6.5 - 7.2 m)
Width	8.25 ft(2.5 m)
Height	10 ft (3 m)
Crew	3-7
Engine	9.3L, 570 cubic inches MaxxForce D9.3I6 I6[3] 330 hp @ 2,100 rpm; 375 hp in Plus and Dash variants
Power/weight	18.9 - 20 hp/US ton
Payload capacity	3,650-11,150 lbs (1,6 - 5 t)
Transmission	Allison 3000 5-speed automatic
Suspension	4x4, wheeled Semi-elliptical leaf springs
Ground clearance	14" (0.35 m)

The International MaxxPro MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle is an armored fighting vehicle designed by American company Navistar International's subsidiary Navistar Defense along with the Israeli Plasan Sasa, who designed and manufactures the vehicle's armor.^[4] The vehicle was designed to take part in the US Military's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle program, led by the US Marine Corps, as well as a similar Army-led program, the Medium Mine Protected Vehicle.^[5]

MRAPs are categorized as category 1 or category 2, depending on usage and passenger compartment space, and Navistar produces the MaxxPro in both sizes, although the vast majority of those sold have been category 1 MRAPs. The MaxxPro Plus model comes with dual rear wheels for increased load carrying capacity, such as an ambulance or EFP protected variant. The latest model produced is the MaxxPro Dash, which is a smaller and lighter category 1 model. Both the Plus and Dash models use the MaxxForce 10 engine with 375 hp, in place of the DT 530 with 330 hp, used in the original base model produced.

The MaxxPro utilizes a crew capsule with a V-shaped hull, mounted on an International WorkStar 7000 chassis. The V-hull deflects the blast of a land mine or improvised explosive device (IED) away from the vehicle to protect its occupants. Because the chassis is mounted outside the armored crew capsule, there are concerns that it will likely be destroyed in the event of an ambush, leaving the soldiers inside stranded.^[5] However, according to Navistar Defense spokesperson Roy Wiley, the MaxxPro "did extremely well during the tests, and we are extremely pleased."^[6] This design may prove as effective as the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann ATF Dingo that uses a similar design, one which mounts an armored capsule to a Unimog chassis. This design has survived a 7 kg (15 lb) land mine blast with no injuries.^[7]

According to Navistar Defense, the vehicle is designed with operational readiness in mind and utilizes standardized, easily available parts, to ensure rapid repair and maintenance.^[8] The armored body is bolted together instead of welded, as in other MRAPs. This facilitates repair in the field and is a contributing factor to Navistar's greater production capacity for the MaxxPro.^[9]

Initially just two vehicles were delivered for testing at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in March 2007.

Following testing, a first order for 1,200 MRAP Category 1 MaxxPro vehicles was placed by the US Marine Corps Systems Command on May 31, 2007 for delivery by February 2008.^[10] However, as the U.S. Army Research and Development laboratory is overseeing the entire MRAP program, it is unclear which branches of the US Armed Services will be receiving the vehicles, and in what numbers.^[6] The contract was worth over $623 million, making it then the biggest MRAP contract to date. The US Marine Corps plans to replace all HMMWVs "outside the wire" in Iraq with MRAP vehicles.^{[11][dead link]}

A further order for 16 Category 2 versions (dubbed MaxxPro XL) was placed on June 19, 2007 for delivery by September 2007.^[12]

An additional 755 Category 1 MaxxPros were ordered on July 20, 2007, also for delivery by February 2008, and a third order for a further 1,000 vehicles was announced on October 18, 2007.^[13][14]

In the final order of 2007 a further 1,500 Category 1 MaxxPros were ordered bringing the total to 4,471.^[15] Of total MRAP orders to the end of 2007, 45% are MaxxPros (66% of Category 1 MRAPs).

In the first order of 2008, 743 Category I MaxxPros were ordered. The MaxxPro was by now the only Category I MRAP still receiving fresh orders.^{[16][dead link]}

On September 19, 2012, Navistar recieved an order worth $282 million to upgrade more than 2,300 MaxxPro Cat I vehicles to the MaxxPro Dash version. The upgrades include the DXM suspension system, the MaxxForce 9.3 engine, and a 570 amp alternator and driveline. The upgrade is designed to give the vehicles improved capability and technology for a lower cost than purchasing a brand-new vehicle. Work will begin in December in Afghanistan in the field and will be completed by June 2013.^[1][17]

On June 16, 2008 Navistar debuted a new version called MaxxPro Plus. MaxxPro Plus has increased engine power and payload, as well as Frag Kit 6 enhancements for increased explosively formed penetrator protection.^[18]

On September 4, 2008 the U.S. Marine Corps awarded Navistar a $752 million contract to develop and produce a lighter, smaller, and more mobile MaxxPro variant that is less prone to the rollover problems that have plagued MRAP vehicles. MaxxPro Dash has a smaller turning radius and higher torque to weight ratio. Production of the MaxxPro Dash began in October 2008 with delivery of 822 units completed by February 2009.^[19][20]

On May 5, 2011 Navistar Defense received a $183 million delivery order for 250 International MaxxPro Dash ambulances with DXM independent suspension.^[21]

There is also an MRAP Recovery Vehicle; 250 have been ordered. These are well suited to recovering other vehicles which have been damaged by IEDs.^[22]

On July 18, 2011 Navistar Defense received a delivery order for an additional 140 MRV's with rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) nets from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command.^[23]

•  Croatia About a dozen in service with Croatian Army contingent in Afghanistan.^[24]
•  Estonia 6 MaxxPros in service with the Estonian Afghanistan Contingent.^[25]
•  Greece 5 MaxxPros donated from the US Army are deployed in Afghanistan
•  Hungary 30 MaxxPros in service
•  Poland 30 MaxxPro Dashes in service in Afghanistan with the Polish Land Forces
•  Romania 60 MaxxPro Dashes in service in Afghanistan with the Romanian Land Forces
•  Singapore 15 MaxxPro Dashes in service with Singapore Army^[26], deployed in Afghanistan as part of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
•  South Korea 10 MaxxPro Dashes in service with Republic of Korea Army, deployed in Charika, Afghanistan under "Ashena" unit, as part of International Security Assistance Force.
•  United States

• International FTTS
• International MXT-MV
• MRAP U.S. Military Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Program

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Navistar MaxxPro.

• Video of first MaxxPro fielded in Iraq at Youtube