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Mine-resistant vehicles save soldiers' lives: Gates
AFP, May, 2008
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (AFP) — The US military's new mine-resistant armored vehicles have proved much better than tanks at protecting soldiers from roadside blasts, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.
Gates said six soldiers have been killed in 150 attacks on the so-called MRAPs, or Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.
"The casualty rate is one-third that of Humvees, less than half that of an Abrams tank," he said in a speech to the conservative Heritage Foundation.
"These vehicles are saving lives and limbs," he added.
MRAPs ride higher off the ground and have a V-shaped hull that is designed to deflect the force of a blast.
Geoff Morrell, the ...
