3. INTRODUCTION
With UK Forces active in Afghanistan and Iraq a new vehicle
was ordered by the UK MoD (Ministry of Defence) to provide
protection to troops on patrol from mines and roadside
bombs.
The vehicle was the Cougar 4×4 produced by Force
Protection Industries Incorporated (Ladson, South Carolina) in
the US, who were also responsible for the highly successful
Mastiff.
NP Aerospace in Coventry had the contract (£81m) for
carrying out the modifications to the Cougar.
4.
5. DESIGN
Ridgeback is an up-armoured version of the Cougar MRAP
vehicle.
The vehicle has three doors (two in front and one rear
double-sized crew door) and one topside hatch.
Ridgeback is 2m shorter and 1m slimmer than the Mastiff.
Its standard dimensions are: height 104in (gun shield will
add 26in), width 102in, length 233in, hull internal length
108in, fording depth 39in, and ground clearance 15in-16in.
6.
7. ENGINE
The vehicle is powered by a Caterpillar C-7 diesel
engine that can give 330hp at 2,400rpm and a torque of
860ft lbf at 1,450rpm with an operational range of 420
miles.
The transmission for the Cougar / Ridgback is an Allison
3500 SP series and the front and rear axles are Marmon-
Herrington MT-17 and R-17 respectively (modified for the
harsh terrain).
The vehicle weighs around 38,000lb with a payload of
6,000lb and as such uses air brakes for effective halting.
8.
9. PERFORMANCE
The Ridgback entered service in June 2009 in
Afghanistan (it is fully transportable by C17).
The vehicle can carry 12 troops and can run on run flat
tyres (Michelin XZL 395/85 R20 and Hutchinson VFI) at a
speed of 55mph.
The Ridgback is a mine-resistant ambush-protected
(MRAP) category I vehicle with a high armour rating
(shaped hull and protected cabin using composite
armour systems) and will also uses special armoured
seats to protect troops.
10.
11. SELF-PROTECTION
Ridgback is hinged with additional armour to
protect the occupants from mine and
improvised explosive device (IED) strikes.
The V-shaped hull deflects the blast impact
away.
from the vehicle. The add-on side armour can
preclude the projectiles, shell splinters and RPG
attacks.
