Previous: E-54: Mobility Advantages
E-55. Operating MRAP vehicles at high speed in a tactical environment can develop into a dangerous situation before the driver can counter or react. Traveling at high speeds (anything greater than 25 mph) significantly decreases the ability to accurately visually scan the road surface. MRAP vehicles are generally tall with a high center of gravity that greatly increases the chance of a roll or tip over. Slow speeds reduce the possibility of an accident, tip over, or rollover. MRAP vehicles will not accelerate or stop at the rate drivers may be accustomed to with other vehicles.
E-56. The overall size of the MRAP limits its mobility in urban and rough terrain conditions. Drivers and leaders consider the following information when operating in restricted terrain:
- Narrow streets and gates may make turns and turning around difficult.
- There is the potential for increased difficulty in navigating through traffic.
- Cross-country speeds are reduced significantly due to the high center of gravity. Tall vehicles pose a greater risk of tip or rollover when negotiating slopes, trenches, ditches, and other obstacles.
- Take special consideration for low-hanging wires. (Crews need to have a wire-strike plan. Leaders must account for antenna heights for counter radio-controlled IED electronic warfare (CREW) and radio antennas when operating in urban terrain.
- The MRAP will ascend longitudinal slopes of up to 60 percent; however, extreme caution must be exercised on slopes greater than 50 percent. The MRAP vehicle is capable of operating on side slopes of up to 30 percent. (Use extreme caution on side slopes greater than 25 percent.) The critical rollover angles vary among variants and will differ depending on the load plan used. Load heavier items as low in the vehicle as possible to decrease the possibility of rollovers or tip over when operating on side slopes.
- All drivers must be well-trained in judging terrain and negotiating various terrain conditions.
- Many operations and movements are at night. Driver training should focus on driver vision enhancer training along with training the vehicle commander and gunner using night vision devices.
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