The Buffalo belongs to a family of medium Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. That heavily armored explosive ordnance disposal vehicle builds on the South-African concept of a protective capsule mounted on an American wheeled platform. The Buffalo combines the most powerful ballistic and blast protection against improvised explosive devices (IED), it protects the crew against a TNT explosion of over 20 kg placed under any wheel and of 12 kg under the special V-shaped chassis (the capsule). It also offers a package which protects against self forged fragmentation devices. Since the 2003 Iraq mission, and later during the Afghan mission these vehicles have endured over than 1000 IED explosions without sustaining any casualties.
In one of the incidents in which a Buffalo was involved, the explosion of an anti-tank mine demolished one of the wheels. Yet, no casualties were sustained and the vehicle, which retained its mobility, drove away from the minefield. It was repaired over night and the following morning it was again ready for further service.
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