Roshel Smart Armored Vehicles said its latest military vehicle has proven resilient against multiple powerful attacks.
The Senator MRAP – which stands for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected – is a four-wheel drive and 6.7L turbo diesel military vehicle based on the Ford F-550 commercial platform. It’s built to withstand gunfire as well as mine-activated blasts due in part to its V-shaped hull, which is designed to deflect explosive energy away from the cabin. Externals like the wheels and engine are not immune but passengers in the cabin should be protected.
The North American manufacturer said its latest Senator vehicle recently underwent blast testing at a NATO certified U.S.-based independent laboratory. That testing included detonating six kilograms of TNT placed both under the wheel and under the belly, which the company said resulted in no structural damage and no harm to the dummy representing the vehicle occupants.
The results helped the Senator MRAP pass NATO standards tests for ballistic and blast resistance. Currently, Roshel said the vehicle is undergoing testing for higher levels of protection.
According to the company, the Senator MRAP can be configured to counter unmanned aerial vehicles, serve as medical evacuation, and handle command and control. The vehicle has also been designed for integration with the Rheinmetall Fieldranger weapon station, which features a remote-controlled platform that can be fitted with machine guns, automatic grenade launchers or anti-tank guided missiles.
Roshel is a major supplier of armored vehicles to Ukraine and said the development of the Senator MRAP was driven in part to help combat the improvised explosive devices that are common in the region. The company said it currently has 500 Senator armored vehicles deployed in combat zones in Ukraine, resulting in insights that have helped with this latest development.
