Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have taken more American lives in Iraq and Afghanistan than anything else. To face this threat, a new breed of military vehicle was built that can withstand the debilitating blast and keep troops alive.
The Cougar may be the finest example of that effort and it's saved countless lives as the war drags on into its twelfth year.
Not only does it keep troops protected, it keeps them mobile. The Cougar can return to the field in a matter of hours with some simple repairs after being hit.
The Cougar was developed in response to an urgent request from the U.S. Marines for a vehicle that would fare better than a Humvee in IED strikes.
The biggest selling point was the V-shaped hull, which directs explosive blasts away from under the vehicle.
A small amount were sent overseas, but the mass order came after then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates got word in 2004 that no Marines had died in over 300 IED attacks on Cougars in Iraq.
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