New Cougar HEV for Marine Corps.Marine Corps Base Quantico Marine Corps Base Quantico is located near Triangle, Virginia. Known as the "Crossroads of the Marine Corps", it is a major Marine Corps training base, covering nearly 100 square miles. , Va. -- A new vehicle that was recently used in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) II will soon be distributed throughout the Marine Corps. The Cougar Hardened Engineer Vehicle, a versatile, multipurpose vehicle, can be configured to complete a wide variety of mission requirements. The new HEV HEV abbr. hepatitis E virus HEV hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus of pigs. can serve as a mine-proof troop transport vehicle, a law enforcement special response vehicle, a weapons platform, or an escort protection vehicle. Fourteen were shipped to various bases in September 2004. The user-friendly vehicle is designed to protect both the driver and crew from ballistic and mine-blast threats. The four-wheel drive edition seats four passengers, and the six-wheel drive edition seats 10 passengers. "Currently, combat engineers and explosive ordinance disposal [personnel] lack the adequate organic battlefield transportation capability and protection to conduct independent missions," said Joseph B. Murgo, team leader, engineer support equipment/counter-IED systems, Marine Corps Systems Command Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) is located at MCB Quantico. Mission Serve as the Commandant's principal agent for acquisition and sustainment of systems and equipment used by the operating forces to accomplish their warfighting mission. (MCSC). "Now EOD EOD abbreviation for every other day; used in medical records. and engineers will be able to maneuver with speed, mobility, and survivability equal with the ground maneuver forces within the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MACTF)." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Murgo said the Cougar HEV has an armored capsule designed to protect personnel, the engine, and transmission from both ballistic and mine-blast threats. "The Cougar will withstand a 30-pound blast of TNT to either the front or rear axles as well as a 15-pound blast to the center portion of the vehicle," he said. Murgo said Technical Solutions Group, Inc., is currently manufacturing the Cougar HEV for allied nations while also manufacturing a larger HEV called the Buffalo for the U.S. Army in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Because OIF II and contingency operations in the Global War On Terrorism Terrorist acts and the threat of Terrorism have occupied the various law enforcement agencies in the U.S. government for many years. The Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, as amended by the usa patriot act have created an immediate mission essential requirement for the Cougar HEV, I Marine Expeditionary Force The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) of the United States Marine Corps primarily composed of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 1st Marine Logistics Group. initiated an urgent universal need statement in December 2003, to purchase 27 HEVs. "The rapid procurement and fielding of the HEV is indicative of MCSC's responsiveness to the needs of the MAGTF and the individual warfighter," said Maj. Robert C. Crum, public affairs officer, MCSC. Murgo said the severity of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices to operating forces and mine clearing teams has resulted in the loss of many lives. "Many Marine Corps operating forces The Fleet Marine Force is a combined command of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which comprises a combination of permanent afloat personnel, stationed on U.S. Navy ships, and ground units of the United States Marine Corps infantry branch. require adequate HEVs to negate these hazardous conditions and their effects," Murgo said. Murgo said the Cougar has ballistic protection for the radiator, fuel tanks, and battery compartments; and it is equipped with weapons ports, M240G mount, engineer/EOD tool storage, two spare tires, and a Nuclear. Biological and Chemical overpressure overpressure, n excessive pressure applied at the end of a physiologic joint range to confirm the severity of pain, thus helping determine the manual treatments. and filter system. by Cpl. Shawn Vincent, USMC |
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