The high profile of the Buffalo MRAP system provides an advantage in giving the occupants a commanding view of the action surrounding the vehicle. Thick windowed gun ports allow occupants to engage with personal weapons and keep friendlies under protection. No longer are troops directed out of the safety of their armored vehicle to counter the enemy. Comparatively, HUMVEE soldiers were exposed either from their open-air .50 caliber machine gun perches atop the vehicle or trying to engage a hidden enemy from behind their bulky fabric (or lightly-armored doors) with minimal overall visibility and therefore reduced situational awareness.
The base Buffalo chassis is fully adaptable and can fulfill other battlefield roles such as MEDical EVACuation (MEDEVAC) unit. They also can showcase a remote-controlled manipulator arm for EOD service (bomb disposal).
Internally, the series is powered by a Mack ASET AI-400 I6 diesel unit and this is tied to an Allison HD-4560P automatic transmission. A 6x6 wheeled axle arrangement is featured and road speeds reach 65 mph with ranges out to 300 miles. Dimensions include a length of 27 feet, a width of 8.5 feet, and a height of 13 feet. The standard operating crew is two with up to four passengers.
The original production variant was the Buffalo H and this has since been succeeded by the dimensionally larger Buffalo A2 (introduced 2009). The United States military has taken on a stock of 200 of the former and 450 of the latter. Other operators include Canada, France, Italy, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom.
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