Army orders 48 mine clearance vehicles

LADSON, S.C., Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The tank and armaments division of the U.S. Army ordered 48 mine protected clearance vehicles from Force Protection Inc. in South Carolina.

The U.S. Army Tank- Automotive and Armaments Command placed a $52.8 million order for 48 Buffalo mine protected clearance vehicles. Work on the vehicles is scheduled for completion by September 2010.

Force Protection said it expects orders for more than 100 Buffaloes by 2010. The company describes the Buffalo as "the most advanced mine resistant vehicle in the world."

The six-wheeled Buffalo incorporates the "V" shaped chassis designed to direct the force of roadside bombs away from the occupants of the vehicle.

"Buffalo continues to be one of the most sought after vehicles on the battlefield and is critically important to route clearance operations in Afghanistan," said Michael Moody, chief executive officer of Force Protection. "We are pleased to receive this new delivery order and anticipate continued demand and incremental orders."