“Buffalo” A2 Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle (MPCV)

“Buffalo” A2 Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle (MPCV). . , The U.S. Army began its search for a mine protected clearance vehicle in 1999. A South African design was selected, which included six wheels, a high ground clearance, and a V-shaped lower hull. Within five years, the first version of the Buffalo, part of the larger Mine Resistant Ambush Protected program, was accepted into the army’s inventory. This improved version, the A2, was introduced in 2009., The Buffalo A2 MPCV is an engineer vehicle designed to accompany route clearance missions. The most important feature on the Buffalo is the retractable hydraulic interrogation arm controlled by an operator inside the vehicle to investigate possible improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The end of the arm consists of a fork and scoop combo, known as the “spork”, and a prod or large tooth. It can reach out to thirty feet and lift 250 pounds. Keeping roads and highways clear of enemy IEDs was a daily mission in Iraq and Afghanistan., The aluminum cage armor was produced by BAE systems as an add-on kit to protect military vehicles from the ever-present rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and similar weapons. This vehicle bears some field modifications to the front windshield, commonly called “hillbilly armor”, in which an additional windshield was added and sandwiched between more armor plating for extra protection.