We have a new addition to our museum collection that is now on permanent exhibit at the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum. Introducing the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, more commonly known as a MRAP.

This vehicle and others like it were manufactured for use during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The need for MRAPs came about when it became known that the deadliest threat to US troops in Iraq had turned out to be roadside bombs. Prior to the MRAP, the use of armored HMMWV’s “Humvees” was used, but they did not give the amount of protection the troops needed against Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks and ambushes.

IEDs have caused a majority of the causalities in the U.S. military in their activities in Iraq and Afghanistan. IEDs are bombs constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. Since MRAPs have been fielded, there has been a significant decrease in IED causalities, with some sources attributing as much as 80 percent decrease due to the MRAP.

MRAP, a family of armored fighting vehicles usually have a V- shaped hull to deflect any explosive force originating below the vehicle. The compartments are designed to protect troops from the explosive force. MRAPs weigh between 14 to 18 tons, are 9 feet high and cost between $500,000 and $1,000,000.

This vehicle, a Category II Cougar Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOP) Rapid Response Vehicle (JERRV) is designed for missions including convoy lead, troop transport, ambulance, explosive ordnance disposal and combat engineering.

Come see it in the Grand Hall at the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum today

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Meet the Curator: Robyn King

Robyn King earned her Bachelors in History and Anthropology from the State University of New York at Oneonta. She has experience working at State Museums, Historic Sites, the National Parks Service, and most recently the Navy. She’s an expert in collection management, and has worked closely with both natural and cultural collections. Robyn loves all museums and sharing her love of history. When’s she not working, she’s volunteering her time with the National Peace Corps Association, as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from West Africa.