Post by Keith Heitmann on May 26, 2005 8:49:13 GMT -5
A new blast protected vehicle designed specifically to deal with roadside IEDs has been put into service with the U.S. Army in Iraq.
The 23-ton Buffalo is the most recent piece of equipment Operation Iraqi Freedom solders have to defeat improvised explosive devices. It is a heavily-armored vehicle designed for route clearance, giving patrols a closer look at suspected improvised explosive devices. U.S. Army photo
Buffalo Joins Brigade Combat Team Arsenal
The heavily-armored vehicle gives patrols a closer look at suspected improvised explosive devices.
By U.S. Army Spc. Erin Robicheaux
256th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
CAMP TIGERLAND, BAGHDAD, March 24, 2005 — A new addition has been added to the Tiger Brigade family and taken up residence with the 1088th Engineering Battalion. The Buffalo is the most recent equipment to defeat improvised explosive devices and just like its name suggests, the 23-ton machine is made of monstrous proportions, and appears to be virtually unstoppable.
It is a heavily-armored vehicle designed for route clearance, giving patrols a closer look at suspected improvised explosive devices. This way it can be confirmed that an improvised explosive devices is present before bringing an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team onto the scene.
“Once an improvised explosive device is spotted by a route clearance team, it can be investigated without getting physically on the ground to look at it,” U.S. Army 1st Lt. Cecil Piazza
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Cecil Piazza of Company A, 1088th Engineer Battalion, has played an active role in bringing the new addition to the 256th Brigade Combat Team. He explained how the machine works.
“It (the Buffalo) is equipped with a 30-foot extension, called an Ironclaw, which is operated from within the vehicle. Once an improvised explosive device is spotted by a route clearance team, it can be investigated without getting physically on the ground to look at it.”
The operator uses the Ironclaw to probe debris and dirt from around the questionable device and also has an extra set of eyes mounted on top to help decipher the identity of the object. Working hand in hand with a television screen inside the vehicle, a 200X Zoom video camera has a bird’s eye view of everything. According to Spc. Chris Johnson from Iowa, La., it has the capability to help the crew see clearly.
“Yesterday I was familiarizing myself with the camera, and I zoomed in on a soldier who was working in that building over there in the motor pool.”
The building in question was more than 150 yards away.
The Buffalo seats six, with the driver and operator at the front and the four remaining soldiers behind them designated for “eyes.” The crew is seated about 10 to 12 feet off of the ground and will also have access to an extra set of searchlights that are maneuvered from inside the vehicle. With the lights, the camera, and the 30- foot “arm,” they will be able to search anywhere they feel there is a threat.
Piazza says he and his men received a course on the specifications and operations of the Buffalo. They were trained by the 458th Engineers and received classroom instruction, as well as on-the-job training. They were afforded the opportunity to go with the team on missions, and about 75 percent of what they learned was from actually conducting route clearance in the area of operation. Since his unit’s main mission has been to escort Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, Piazza feels that there is no one better for the job than he and his men.
“We know every single route in the brigade’s area of operation,” he said, “we know the trends, and we know the patterns and habits like the backs of our hands.”
Based on the intelligence gathered through patrol debriefings and information sent down to the company level, the Buffalo will be tasked out to the desired patrols. This is the most recent example of the Tiger Brigade receiving the latest high-tech equipment to help battle the war on terror. The Buffalo’s purpose is to keep soldiers protected from improvised explosive devices. Piazza and the A Company soldiers will accompany the patrolling units, and he has faith that this will prove to be a viable asset.
“In light of the activity and tragedies in December and January, the Buffalo will be a great asset and resource for the brigade to have,” he said.
Buffalo Specs:
Mass:
Empty approximate: 38,000 lbs
GVM approximate: 70,000
Carrying capacity: 20,000
Load Distribution:
(6x6): 50% front 50% rear
Dimensions:
Length: 8200 mm 323 in
Height: 2850 mm 117 in
Width: 2470 mm 97 in
Wheel base: 1820 mm 72 in and 3640 mm 143 in
Angle of Approach: 40
Angle of Departure: 45 Mine clearance Vehicle, 80 Starndard BUFFALO
Engine Spacifications:
Perterbilt Caterpillar C12 Diesel
Horsepower: 395 hp @ 1800 RPM
Torque: 1450 ft lbs @ 1200 RPM
Range: 500-700 miles
Transmission:
Allison MD 4560P 5 Speed Automatic or Twin Disc
Transfer Case: MVG-1200-2 Speed
Axles (Hub Reduction Type):
Rear: M-H Tandem 46,000 pounds
Front: MT-22 23,000 pounds
Steering:
Full power
Wheels and Tires:
Type: Steel split rim
Tire Size: 1600 R20 Michelin XZL
Suspension:
Front and Rear: Semi-elliptic, leaf spring
Electrical:
Vehicle System: 14V-300 amp
Supplementary System: 28V-300 amp
Niehoff Military Grade Shielded Alternator
Air conditioned - ICE 31CFM Compressor
One of the Buffalo follows the South African monocoque capsule protection concept with US manufactured automotive platform, offering protection from 45 pound landmine explosion under any wheel and 30 pound mine explosion under the centerline protection. An upgrade package offers protection from Self Forged Fragmentation (SFF) mines. The Buffalo uses steel wheels and disc rollers which allow the vehicle to be driven over and detonate anti-personnel mines without sustaining damage. As a result, unusually large numbers of mines can be neutralized in a short period of time. The vehicle retains all round (including roof) ballistic protection from 7.62mm NATO ball cartridges. This armor is upgradeable to protect against Dragunov AP cartridges. In a recent incident that involved a Buffalo vehicle which ran over an anti-tank mine, the blast tore off a wheel and destroyed an axle on the vehicle. There were no casualties to the crew inside the Buffalo and the vehicle maintained its mobility and drove itself out of the minefield. It was repaired overnight and was back in operation the following day.
14 Buffalos are currently in service with US Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additional 21 vehicles were purchased by the Army in May 2004, at a cost of $15.3 million with deliveries planned for completed by December 2004. The US Army ordered 15 additional Buffalos in November 2004, under a separate 11.8 million contract.
The 23-ton Buffalo is the most recent piece of equipment Operation Iraqi Freedom solders have to defeat improvised explosive devices. It is a heavily-armored vehicle designed for route clearance, giving patrols a closer look at suspected improvised explosive devices. U.S. Army photo
Buffalo Joins Brigade Combat Team Arsenal
The heavily-armored vehicle gives patrols a closer look at suspected improvised explosive devices.
By U.S. Army Spc. Erin Robicheaux
256th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
CAMP TIGERLAND, BAGHDAD, March 24, 2005 — A new addition has been added to the Tiger Brigade family and taken up residence with the 1088th Engineering Battalion. The Buffalo is the most recent equipment to defeat improvised explosive devices and just like its name suggests, the 23-ton machine is made of monstrous proportions, and appears to be virtually unstoppable.
It is a heavily-armored vehicle designed for route clearance, giving patrols a closer look at suspected improvised explosive devices. This way it can be confirmed that an improvised explosive devices is present before bringing an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team onto the scene.
“Once an improvised explosive device is spotted by a route clearance team, it can be investigated without getting physically on the ground to look at it,” U.S. Army 1st Lt. Cecil Piazza
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Cecil Piazza of Company A, 1088th Engineer Battalion, has played an active role in bringing the new addition to the 256th Brigade Combat Team. He explained how the machine works.
“It (the Buffalo) is equipped with a 30-foot extension, called an Ironclaw, which is operated from within the vehicle. Once an improvised explosive device is spotted by a route clearance team, it can be investigated without getting physically on the ground to look at it.”
The operator uses the Ironclaw to probe debris and dirt from around the questionable device and also has an extra set of eyes mounted on top to help decipher the identity of the object. Working hand in hand with a television screen inside the vehicle, a 200X Zoom video camera has a bird’s eye view of everything. According to Spc. Chris Johnson from Iowa, La., it has the capability to help the crew see clearly.
“Yesterday I was familiarizing myself with the camera, and I zoomed in on a soldier who was working in that building over there in the motor pool.”
The building in question was more than 150 yards away.
The Buffalo seats six, with the driver and operator at the front and the four remaining soldiers behind them designated for “eyes.” The crew is seated about 10 to 12 feet off of the ground and will also have access to an extra set of searchlights that are maneuvered from inside the vehicle. With the lights, the camera, and the 30- foot “arm,” they will be able to search anywhere they feel there is a threat.
Piazza says he and his men received a course on the specifications and operations of the Buffalo. They were trained by the 458th Engineers and received classroom instruction, as well as on-the-job training. They were afforded the opportunity to go with the team on missions, and about 75 percent of what they learned was from actually conducting route clearance in the area of operation. Since his unit’s main mission has been to escort Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, Piazza feels that there is no one better for the job than he and his men.
“We know every single route in the brigade’s area of operation,” he said, “we know the trends, and we know the patterns and habits like the backs of our hands.”
Based on the intelligence gathered through patrol debriefings and information sent down to the company level, the Buffalo will be tasked out to the desired patrols. This is the most recent example of the Tiger Brigade receiving the latest high-tech equipment to help battle the war on terror. The Buffalo’s purpose is to keep soldiers protected from improvised explosive devices. Piazza and the A Company soldiers will accompany the patrolling units, and he has faith that this will prove to be a viable asset.
“In light of the activity and tragedies in December and January, the Buffalo will be a great asset and resource for the brigade to have,” he said.
Buffalo Specs:
Mass:
Empty approximate: 38,000 lbs
GVM approximate: 70,000
Carrying capacity: 20,000
Load Distribution:
(6x6): 50% front 50% rear
Dimensions:
Length: 8200 mm 323 in
Height: 2850 mm 117 in
Width: 2470 mm 97 in
Wheel base: 1820 mm 72 in and 3640 mm 143 in
Angle of Approach: 40
Angle of Departure: 45 Mine clearance Vehicle, 80 Starndard BUFFALO
Engine Spacifications:
Perterbilt Caterpillar C12 Diesel
Horsepower: 395 hp @ 1800 RPM
Torque: 1450 ft lbs @ 1200 RPM
Range: 500-700 miles
Transmission:
Allison MD 4560P 5 Speed Automatic or Twin Disc
Transfer Case: MVG-1200-2 Speed
Axles (Hub Reduction Type):
Rear: M-H Tandem 46,000 pounds
Front: MT-22 23,000 pounds
Steering:
Full power
Wheels and Tires:
Type: Steel split rim
Tire Size: 1600 R20 Michelin XZL
Suspension:
Front and Rear: Semi-elliptic, leaf spring
Electrical:
Vehicle System: 14V-300 amp
Supplementary System: 28V-300 amp
Niehoff Military Grade Shielded Alternator
Air conditioned - ICE 31CFM Compressor
One of the Buffalo follows the South African monocoque capsule protection concept with US manufactured automotive platform, offering protection from 45 pound landmine explosion under any wheel and 30 pound mine explosion under the centerline protection. An upgrade package offers protection from Self Forged Fragmentation (SFF) mines. The Buffalo uses steel wheels and disc rollers which allow the vehicle to be driven over and detonate anti-personnel mines without sustaining damage. As a result, unusually large numbers of mines can be neutralized in a short period of time. The vehicle retains all round (including roof) ballistic protection from 7.62mm NATO ball cartridges. This armor is upgradeable to protect against Dragunov AP cartridges. In a recent incident that involved a Buffalo vehicle which ran over an anti-tank mine, the blast tore off a wheel and destroyed an axle on the vehicle. There were no casualties to the crew inside the Buffalo and the vehicle maintained its mobility and drove itself out of the minefield. It was repaired overnight and was back in operation the following day.
14 Buffalos are currently in service with US Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additional 21 vehicles were purchased by the Army in May 2004, at a cost of $15.3 million with deliveries planned for completed by December 2004. The US Army ordered 15 additional Buffalos in November 2004, under a separate 11.8 million contract.
