Knights in shining armor logistics. Experience in Iraq, Afghanistan and not only
October 13, 2014



Truck Supply 7000-MU Navistar category average weight is well established and in Afghanistan

Need to transport military equipment and military supplies across the territory of conflict areas was compelling reason to force the supply of armored vehicles from a variety of threats.

Unprecedented speed of the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 was met with emphatic praise or excessive horror, depending on your point of view at that time.

As the armored "spear" is deeply stuck in the country, having strong points and pockets of resistance, many supply vessels (logistics) coalition found themselves behind all in a very difficult position due to the fact that they were dealing with an incredibly difficult task supply of fuel, ammunition, with food and other supplies rushing forward vanguard.

Not only this, but also due to the fact that the combat troops rarely stayed for securing positions or eliminate resistance, stretching after a supply chain had to battle through the difficult, sometimes stuffed with ambushes areas in trucks and transporters with poor or no protection without having carrying only small arms crews.

Currently it is well known that after the initial invasion of security in Iraq weakened due to the fact that the front line quickly disappeared along with neutral or secure area into which a relatively unprotected supply chain could be established.

Columns supply in Afghanistan, of course, proved vulnerable in combat areas without front lines. Also, the situation is further complicated by the absence of the actual road network and extremely difficult terrain.

Most of the countries involved in the operations of these TVD started programs to improve, modernize and booking their existing fleets of trucks or supply started to implement new procurement programs in order to obtain a more specialized secure machines.

In the early stages of the operation in Iraq widespread custom of modernization, as soldiers used whatever they could get their hands to protect their machines. As a result, trucks and versatile machines had a very strange appearance with reduced ground clearance available materials with closed hatches and hatches and welded armor plate, removed from armored vehicles.

In the divisions of the American army began to use sheets of lined or abandoned Iraqi Army combat vehicles for the creation of the existing machines "gun trucks", which could be used as a mobile fire support platforms for the supply of other vehicles.

In the Journal of the American army logistics once even described the practice of 548 Battalion software for manufacturing armored "shell" for their 5-ton truck M939. These "cases" were obtained from the armor plates of the Russian machines found on the Iraqi supply base in Taji. On the machine also installed a 12.7-mm machine gun on the support ring, 40 mm grenade launchers and other weapons Mk19 to obtain regular fire power.

In more formal language, a number of different approaches in relation to the fact that, of course, limited to the modernization of the existing design of the machine, which does not allow for the necessary modification.

Particularly problematic are the design with the taken forward cab-over-engine, in which the crew and engine placed just above the front axle, where there is the greatest damage from mines or improvised explosive devices (IEDs). However, some drivers have increased the attachment cabin and seat belts added to them is not thrown out of the cab in the explosion.

Regardless of mine protection, most of the cars in the hot spots now in one form or another has ballistic protection from bullets, fragments or debris, while many are also protected from anti-tank grenade.



Modernization of tanker capacity 7000 liters MAN ERF British army rather focuses on the protection of the crew, but not the contents of the tank

Logistical support all echelons

Wherever possible, logistic cargo shifted to an increasing number of protected patrol vehicles or machines such as MRAP (mine-resistant ambush-protected - with enhanced mine-protected), but some loads are too bulky to carry such types and large vehicles, especially trucks, still no doubt have their place. The UK offers an interesting solution to supply all levels on the basis of its new family of specialized combat protected machines supply TSV (Tactical Support Vehicle). These machines are available in TSV Light, Medium and Heavy (respectively, light, medium and heavy) and can work around the logistics ranging up to the front line, if one exists. In fact, the Light Infantry nature of most operations in Afghanistan and weight equipment, worn by dismounted personnel, forced Britain to purchase ATV and trailer park to accompany patrols, which in turn may provide new cars supply 4x4 Springer. Springer is a modified version of the machine TomCar, but, nevertheless, it is a new technique for the British Army. The car has excellent off-road permeability and surprisingly high load capacity of 1.2 tons. Although it is too small for heavy reservations but has ballistic armor panel for protection of two crew members from small arms and mounted on the turret 5.56-mm machine gun for self-defense Minimi. TSV Light - is a versatile option 6x6 car Supacat Jackal, known as the Coyote, he has the same level of increased mobility and explosion protection as in military vehicles, but with a cargo platform complete with mounting points for standard NATO about 3 tons of cargo at a set of armor protection. On the machine can be installed fighting module or support ring and gun for the second driver. The next class is machine TSV Medium; it is somewhat larger version of the machine Husky called MXT 4x4 production Navistar International. Unlike Coyote, MXT has a fully enclosed four-door cab and cargo platform, which can take a weight of more than 5350 pounds (2388 kg) or 1.5 tons. Finally, TSV Heavy - Wolfhound is a machine from Force Protection and NP Aerospace, which for the most part is a cargo variant platform Cougar / Mastiff, having a lifting capacity of 4.5 tons at a very high level of protection against IEDs and small arms. The family was purchased TSV including for the creation of a "bridge" of supply, so as to ensure the machine of the British Army Like most European armies, were not designed for the most part for the action on the front line and, therefore, did not have any protection. In 2007, the British organization for armament and military procurement (DE & S) has released urgent operational requirements to remedy these shortcomings called «Fortress» (fortress) in order to improve the protection of new machines provide MAN SV (Support Vehicle - car security), which were then deployed in Iraq. In January of the following year a group of developers of the machine to ensure the overall organization of DE & S contracts issued a number of companies. MAN (the main contractor for the car), NP Aerospace (decisions on booking), General Dynamics UK (digital communications system Bowman) and Istec (protected weapon station) to begin work on 280 machines Fortress. The main emphasis of the program is placed on the survivability of the crew, and all cars were equipped with electronic suppression means to neutralize IEDs. Their cabover cabin were equipped hinged armor, ballistic protection that meets Level II and explosion protection Level 1+ standard STANAG 4569. Additionally, the front and side surfaces of the cabins have a grid armor to neutralize the RPG. lead a more active defense allows the presence of a protected fighting module PWS ( Protected Weapon Station) from Istec, installed on the roof of the cab and armed 7.62mm universal machine gun for self-defense. PWS itself has ballistic protection similar to the protection of the cabin. All cars are painted in desert camouflage, they installed infrared lights, tail lights, and night vision devices to secretly move in the dark. As standard fitted with tires boestoykie protivoprokolnymi inserts. In addition, all cars were equipped with digital communications equipment Bowman in the VHF and HF and intercom system from General Dynamics UK to ensure communication with the fixed column bases and supply units escort. Little feature for which grateful all serving in Afghanistan: MAN SV production machines are normally equipped with roof-mounted air-conditioning system. The first upgraded vehicles were deployed in Iraq for 4 months from the date of issue of the contract in January 2008, as a large part has since been re-deployed to Afghanistan. The official date of receipt for service truck was identified in April 2008, and in July, followed by options EPLS (Enhanced Platform Loading System - Improved loading platform) and in August option Bram who replaced evacuation vehicles Foden 6x6. Machines Fortress - it's a very small part of the entire British fleet MAN, which eventually should reach 7285 machines in 42 different variants in accordance with the contract, originally issued in March 2005. 161 serial machine first parties set in early 2007, was to some extent simplified version and used for training . But since the 162nd machine on all SV can install add-on armor kit designed APK (Adaptive Protection Kit). In addition to the MAN SV, Great Britain has increased the number of other British cars SV in Iraq and Afghanistan. For example, a heavy truck cab Party Oshkosh 1070F 8x8 Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) were equipped with bar armor in accordance with yet another urgent requirement. Most recently, on them, on the perimeter of the cab, was installed a new set of cloth armor Tarian, but the bar armor before the windows had been left. Tarian was developed by AmSafe Bridport and DSTL in just 16 months. To date, delivered more than 20 sets of truck NO. Extensive tests have confirmed that the system provides the required level of protection and is highly resistant to intensive wear quite normal for Afghanistan. The exact details of the mesh protection Tarian yet tested "classified" but described it as a complex interplay of fabrics and other materials not called in a protective outer layer . According to the AmSafe, it is 85 percent lighter than a steel lattice armor and half the weight of aluminum systems. It is mounted on each corner of the platform quick coupling, which allows for quick replacement of damaged panels. German industry has taken a strong position in the market protected trucks. Besides trucks MAN, who prefers the British army, the company Mercedes-Benz has in its portfolio more protected vehicles, armored cab easily replaceable and sets the reservation for existing machines. MAN Trucks terrain can also be equipped with a new cockpit-welded steel armor developed by Krauss -Maffei Wegmann (KMW), which provides a very high level of protection. They can also be equipped with protection against weapons of mass destruction (WMD), intercom system, rearview system and various weapons systems, installed on the roof for self-defense. The latter can vary from single secure installation of weapons with 5.56 mm or 7,62- mm machine gun, and to fully remotely controlled weapon stations, armed with machine guns of 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm. This model cabin delivered to several countries, including Denmark and Germany, for deployment in Afghanistan.


Russian truck Ural-4320 with a protected engine compartment, cabin and compartment for landing



MAN Truck terrain with a cabin completely from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and mechanical lifting and transport system in the back of

one of the most interesting machines deployed in Afghanistan by the German army, is the so-called container for transporting personnel TTC (Team Transport Container), which installed at the rear of the chassis terrain MAN 8x8 with a cabin from KMW. TTC has been developed by EADS and is air conditioned, NBC protected capsule for 18 soldiers with full equipment. The container has a high level of protection from small arms fire, the fragments of shell, anti-tank mines and IEDs. The company IBD Deisenroth also supplied a large number of add-on armor kits for a variety of trucks and specialized means of combat support. For example, trucks IVECO 6x6 Belgian army were further armored sets this company AMAP-B (Advanced Modular Armour Protection - Ballistic, a new type of modular reservation - ballistic) and AMAP-M (Advanced Modular Armour Protection System - Mine, a new type of modular reservation - Mine ) that already have other countries such as Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway. Belgium is also in service with 400 armored tactical trucks Astra M250.45WM 6x6 weighing 8 tons of company IVECO Defence Vehicles, the last of which were delivered in late 2008 . The Company has adopted a phased approach to installation on your tactical trucks improved protection, providing both new cabin and integrated solutions on booking. All machines have a Belgian cab over engine with clamps for add-on armor; thus it can be quickly installed using standard tools. Also standard cabins have built mine protection. A total of Belgium through the firm IVECO was also supplied 350 sets of removable protection RPK (Removable Protection Kit) from the company IBD Deisenroth, providing protection from small arms fire and rocket fragments. Under a separate contract, the party sets delivered NBC protection, which can be installed if necessary. Spain also received 150 RPK for its production of trucks IVECO Defence Vehicles. Companies IVECO and KMW developed and tested fully protected cab-over-engine, which can be quickly installed on tactical vehicles 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 series Trakker. It provides protection against mines and IEDs and ballistic threats and leaves enough space for the installation of air conditioning systems, communications and silencing of the VCA. The German army had 72 machines Trakker 8x8 with fully protected cabin, as well as decontamination equipment Karcher under the designation TEP90. She also received about 100 machines Trakker 8x8 with a cabin for a number of specific tasks, including the option of a tanker. United States took a typical holistic approach, deploying a range of machines with built-in protection, and conduct programs to profound modernization. For example, truck logistics middle class 7000-MV and its heavy equipment transporter 5000-MV from Navistar standardly manufactured unarmored. Approximately 800 cars 5000-MV and 7000 more than 8100-MV work in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the representative of Navistar, the company has put bulletproof glass with protection of metal mesh, bolted, with the aim of minimizing the area of vulnerable surfaces.



Armored truck IVECO M250. Belgium and Germany are armed with machine IVECO improved protection



Experienced kit GunPACS mounted on MTVR. Kit was featured on the outdoor demonstration at the US Department of Defense

In addition, the trucks have windshields double booking that depart without splintering. Company Navistar if necessary could continue to upgrade their machines sets the reservation, but to date they request has been received.


NO from Oshkosh - Eight-tractor is used for the transport of MBT M1A1, armored combat vehicles, Bram, self-propelled howitzers and overall construction equipment

American strategy booking

In early 2005, the command of combat training and the development of doctrine (TRADOC) has published an information report, which identified new threats to logistics vehicles. Requirements to minimize these threats include the Army for military wheeled vehicle fleet introduction of the new strategy of booking, including the modernization and production of new vehicles.

Shortly thereafter, the army has used its long-term strategy for booking LTAS (Long-Term Armor Strategy) - modular solution on booking, which allows you to have more severe protection problems with higher levels of threats. LTAS includes ready for reservation so-called cabin A (A-cab), which itself is on a built-in protection, in particular of the bottom. Also included are kits upgradeable on armor or B-sets (B-kit), which can be installed, if necessary, in the field over the A-kit.

Setting the B-kit usually requires the removal of the car door, and also bulletproof glass inserts. Due to the fact that the cab with the A-kit manufactured specifically for the ability to install B-sets, it is not necessary to drill or replacing panels as is often the case with the installation of add-on armor.

The Army has included these "modular" armor sets A and B in the newer versions of four-terrain heavy trucks HEMTT (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks) and intends to use them to upgrade a number of existing machines to higher levels of protection.

Machines HEMTT used as cargo trailers, fueling tanks and tractors.

Given the demands on booking LTAS redesigns some amount of older models HEMTT. Additional booking older HEMTT, such options A0 and A2, requires a large labor input due to removal of the cab of the truck and adding heavy armor panels; thus deteriorating mobility. However, the trucks have a high initial location of the body, thereby increasing their mine protection.

Army asked the company Oshkosh requested design newest version of their logistic trucks HEMTT A4, compliant LTAS, so that they all had an armored floor, installed in the cockpit during assembly. That is, if the combat missions require greater security, the addition of B-sets becomes a simple procedure performed in field conditions.