Why were M-ATVs developed for use in Afghanistan?

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armoured vehicle A British Warrior mechanized combat vehicle serving in NATO's Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1997.

The M-ATV (Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected all-terrain vehicle) was developed to address specific mobility limitations encountered by earlier MRAP models in Afghanistan.1

While standard MRAPs were highly effective at protecting troops from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) due to their V-shaped hulls, their significant weight and top-heavy design made them prone to rollovers and poorly suited for off-road environments. To improve cross-country performance in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan, the United States introduced the M-ATV in 2009. These lighter, 12-ton vehicles were engineered to maintain the necessary blast protection while providing the maneuverability required for challenging operational landscapes.1