M1224 MaxxPro MRAP

The International MaxxPro is an armored personnel carrier manufactured by the American Navistar International company, adopted by the United States in 2007 for the urgent rearmament of troops in Iraq. The MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) class wheeled armored vehicle with enhanced mine protection and increased traffic is designed to transport military personnel near the front line.

The International MaxxPro is a de facto, light, wheeled, armored infantry transporter and reconnaissance vehicle of American production from modern times. The first prototypes of this vehicle were built in 2007, and the car entered production and service in the same year. Depending on the version, the vehicle is between 6.5 and 7.2 meters long, 2.5 meters wide and approx. 3 meters high. The drive is provided by a single MaxxForce D9 engine with 330 HP.

The International MaxxPro was developed primarily for the needs of the US Marine Corps (USMC for short) as an MRAP vehicle, ie a vehicle that is much less susceptible than a classic mine-blast combat vehicle or the so-called fugasa. These assumptions meant that the International MaxxPro received a specially designed undercarriage and the bottom of the fuselage, which increases its survivability after hitting a mine. The plants of Navistar International Corporation are responsible for the production of the vehicle. It is assumed that over 7,000 vehicles of this type were created, and their users, apart from the US armed forces, were also the armed forces of Croatia, Greece, Romania and Poland.

The design of the vehicle uses an armored crew capsule with a V-shape of the bottom, which increases the protection against mines. The V-shaped bottom of the hull dissipates the energy of a mine explosion or improvised explosive device from the vehicle to protect its crew. This MRAP belongs to STANAG 4569 protection category 1 and 2 depending on the modification.

The manufacturer notes that MaxxPro is able to protect the crew from detonation on a mine with a capacity of up to 7 kg in TNT equivalent. The total weight of the machine depends on the modification and ranges from 12.7 to 13.4 tons. The armored vehicle accommodates three crew members (driver, commander and gunner) and up to six soldiers. On the roof of the armored vehicle there is an open turret for installing 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns with or a Mk.19 automatic grenade launcher.

The entire 14-ton machine is powered by a 330-horsepower International engine and Allison automatic transmission. An American 12.7-mm Browning machine gun is installed on the armored vehicle above the troop compartment, which helps the military to storm enemy positions. On an asphalt surface, the vehicle can easily reach 130 kilometers per hour. Among the disadvantages, the military notes the high center of gravity of the armored vehicle and its unsuitability for severe frosts. However, they are sure that the American MaxxPro fully justifies its purpose and has already saved dozens of lives.

Transferred by the United States as part of international military assistance, in December, 2022 a M1224 Maxxpro armored vehicle withstood numerous hits from small arms and grenade launchers thus saving its crew. During the combat clash between the Ukrainian troops and the invaders, the International Maxxpro armored vehicle withstood hits from machine guns and assault rifles and blocked a shot from an anti-tank grenade launcher. Video of the damaged vehicle was released on social media.

The military performed combat missions directly on the front lines on these MaxxPro. For example, during an attempt to attack the enemy, the vehicles are immediately put forward to reinforce the positions. They also take part in assault operations and the evacuation of the wounded from places of contact with the enemy. An armored capsule with troops demonstrated its ability to withstand detonation when it collides with an anti-tank mine or other explosive weapon. In the case when all wheels are damaged, the vehicle is able to continue driving for a long time at a speed of 30-40 kilometers per hour.

“This vehicle withstands shelling and hits the best of all. Armor is better than BMP or BMD. It is really very safe. Recently, my vehicle was hit by a tank. And although the next shot destroyed the armored vehicle, I, along with the paratroopers, managed to leave the vehicle and take shelter in a rut, left in the acidified soil. So far, I have received a new MaxxPro and continue to perform combat missions,” a military driver named Vasyl said.

“There were cases when we ran into a mine: only the chassis was damaged. Also, special wheels are installed here, which do not sit on the disc when punctured or pierced by fragments and give the opportunity to drive further for another 100-150 kilometers,” continues Vasyl.

By January 2023 the American International MaxxPro armored vehicles have been used by the Ukrainian military for a long time in combat areas. Their reliability and ease of maintenance have significant advantages over other similar models. Such vehicles are used daily by assault groups of one of the individual jager brigades in the Donetsk region. “I don’t experience any difficulties with management. The main thing is to keep a safe speed in turns and off-road, so as not to put the vehicle on its side,” says the military officer with the callsign “Askal”. He said that this vehicle has very powerful protection. The vehicle often goes on combat missions, and the military is confident that it will withstand fire and deliver the entire crew to the designated point. “There were times when several mortar units were working on us. Mines fell right next to the car, and we continued moving,” the soldier said.

By February 2023 the vehicles often wennt on combat missions, and the military was confident that it will withstand fire and deliver the entire crew to the designated point. They also take part in assault operations and the evacuation of the wounded from places of contact with the enemy. “This vehicle withstands shelling and hits the best of all. Armor is better than BMP or BMD. It is really very safe. Recently, my vehicle was hit by a tank. And although the next shot destroyed the armored vehicle, I, along with the paratroopers, managed to leave the vehicle and take shelter in a rut, left in the acidified soil. So far, I have received a new MaxxPro and continue to perform combat missions,” said a military driver named Vasyl.

“There were cases when we ran into a mine: only the chassis was damaged. Also, special wheels are installed here, which do not sit on the disc when punctured or pierced by fragments and give the opportunity to drive further for another 100-150 kilometers,” continues Vasyl.

An armored capsule with troops demonstrated its ability to withstand detonation when it collides with an anti-tank mine or other explosive weapon. In the case when all wheels are damaged, the vehicle is able to continue driving for a long time at a speed of 30-40 kilometers per hour. An American 12.7-mm Browning machine gun is installed on the armored vehicle above the troop compartment, which helps the military to storm enemy positions. The entire 14-ton machine is powered by a 330-horsepower International engine and Allison automatic transmission. On an asphalt surface, the vehicle can easily reach 130 kilometers per hour.

Among the disadvantages, the military notes the high center of gravity of the armored vehicle and its unsuitability for severe frosts.