The Cougar MRAP is a modern light wheeled armored personnel carrier, de facto manufactured in America. The first prototypes of this vehicle were produced in 2002, and shortly thereafter, the vehicle entered serial production, which still continues. In the four-wheel version (Cougar 4x4), the vehicle is approximately 5.9 meters long, about 2.75 meters wide, and about 2.65 meters high. In the six-wheel version (Cougar 6x6), the length increases to about 7.1 meters, with almost the same height and width. In both versions, propulsion is provided by a single Caterpillar C7 engine with 330 hp. The maximum speed of the 4-wheel version is 105 km/h, while the 6-wheel version is slightly slower.
The Cougar MRAP was developed for the needs of the US armed forces, primarily for units involved in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. From the very beginning, it was assumed that the Cougar would be an MRAP vehicle, i.e., it would have a specially shaped V-shaped hull bottom to significantly increase the vehicle's survivability after hitting a mine or so-called IED. These assumptions have largely been fulfilled, and it is now assumed that the Cougar can withstand a collision with an explosive device equivalent to 14 kg of TNT! It is worth noting that many specialized versions of this vehicle have been created, including, for example: the Badger ILAV (a version produced for the Iraqi army by FPII and BAE Systems), the Cougar JERRV, or the Cougar ISS (a vehicle with increased off-road mobility and a completely redesigned suspension). The main manufacturer of the Cougar MRAP is Force Protection Industries.