Armored Vehicles

BAE Caiman MRAP

Also known as
  • Caiman MRAP
  • Caiman 6x6
  • Caiman 4x4
  • Caiman MTV
  • Caiman Multi-Terrain Vehicle
  • Caiman Multi-Theater Vehicle

The BAE Caiman is an FMTV-derived mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle family built around a V-hull armored capsule, protected troop transport, and optional roof weapon stations. U.S. Excess Defense Articles transfers put Caiman vehicles into Nigerian counter-Boko Haram service, while a separate UAE MRAP acquisition and open-source Yemen investigations connect Caimans to UAE-backed southern forces during the 2014 Yemen Civil War.

BAE Caiman MRAP, Mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, Armored Vehicles
Image source: Caiman MRAP Vehicles in Iraq Image

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Built by
BAE Systems
Type
Mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle
Service note
Entered U.S. MRAP service in 2007; later Caiman MTV upgrades and surplus transfers put the family into partner-force inventories.
Designer
Stewart & Stevenson Tactical Vehicle Systems / Armor Holdings; BAE Systems after acquisition
Designed
Mid-2000s
Unit cost
Not consistently reported for transferred surplus vehicles
Produced
2007 onward; later Caiman MTV upgrade work ordered from 2010
Number built
More than 1,700 Caiman MRAPs were covered by later MTV upgrade work; UAE sale documentation listed 1,150 Caiman MTVs from U.S. Army stock.

Specifications

Crew and passengers
Caiman 6x6 sources list two crew plus up to ten infantry; MTV troop-transport descriptions add a gunner position.
Protection
V-hull MRAP layout; MTV upgrade reporting highlights an enhanced monolithic floor, strengthened chassis frame, and blast-absorbing seats.
Mobility
Full-time all-wheel drive with automatic transmission and central tire inflation; MTV versions added wider track, independent suspension, and upgraded powertrain.
Speed
Up to about 105 km/h in published Caiman 6x6 specifications.
Range
About 400-500 km in Army Recognition's Caiman 6x6 profile; GlobalSecurity lists 645 km for the 6x6 specification set.
Armament
Can mount crew-served or remote weapon stations, including M2HB, Mk 19, M240B, and CROWS II configurations listed in public reference profiles.
Mission fit
Protected troop transport, convoy protection, command-and-control, and ambulance roles are described for the MTV family.
Variants

The record treats Caiman as a family page because public sources describe baseline 4x4 and 6x6 MRAP configurations as well as the later Caiman MTV upgrade path.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Caiman 4x4Category I MRAP configuration

GlobalSecurity identifies the 4x4 Caiman Light / XM1220 branch as a later Caiman-family development after the original 6x6 configuration.

Sources: Caiman MRAP Overview

Caiman 6x6Larger troop-carrying MRAP configuration

GlobalSecurity describes the original Caiman as a 6x6 MRAP fitting Category II requirements, while Army Recognition lists two crew, up to ten infantry, V-hull protection, and mountable crew-served weapons for the 6x6 profile.

Sources: Caiman MRAP Overview, Caiman 6x6 FMTV MRAP

Caiman MTVMulti-Terrain Vehicle upgrade

BAE and defense reporting describe the MTV upgrade as adding improved blast protection, independent suspension, wider track, upgraded powertrain, and better all-terrain mobility.

Sources: BAE Caiman MTV Continued Work, BAE Systems New Caiman MTV

Mounted Armament

Public Caiman profiles describe mountable roof weapons and remote weapon stations rather than a single fixed armament fit.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
12.7 mm heavy machine gun, Belt-fed, crew-served heavy machine gun class, Infantry Weapons12.7 mm heavy machine gunHeavy machine-gun option

Army Recognition lists the M2HB 12.7 mm heavy machine gun among the Caiman 6x6 armament options.

Sources: Caiman 6x6 FMTV MRAP

40 mm automatic grenade launcher, 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, Infantry Weapons40 mm automatic grenade launcherAutomatic grenade-launcher option

Army Recognition lists the Mk 19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher among the Caiman 6x6 armament options.

Sources: Caiman 6x6 FMTV MRAP

FN MAG general-purpose machine gun, 7.62x51mm NATO general-purpose machine gun, Infantry WeaponsFN MAG general-purpose machine gunMedium machine-gun option

Army Recognition lists the M240B 7.62 mm machine gun among the Caiman 6x6 armament options.

Sources: Caiman 6x6 FMTV MRAP

Timeline

BAE Caiman MRAP Key Events

  1. Caiman enters the U.S. MRAP program

    Public Caiman-family references place the original 6x6 MRAP configuration in the 2007 U.S. MRAP procurement wave after Armor Holdings' Caiman work moved under BAE Systems ownership.

    Sources: Caiman MRAP Overview, Caiman Embraces Military Mantra

  2. Caiman MTV configuration publicized

    BAE Systems introduced the Caiman MTV as an Afghanistan-focused upgrade using reset Caiman capsules, improved chassis and powertrain components, and better mobility over difficult terrain.

    Sources: BAE Systems New Caiman MTV

  3. Caiman marked the last U.S. MRAP out of Iraq

    BAE Systems said a Caiman Plus was the last MRAP vehicle to leave Iraq at Khabari Crossing and later moved toward preservation at Fort Hood.

    Sources: Caiman Embraces Military Mantra

  4. UAE MRAP sale includes Caiman MTVs

    DSCA sale documentation listed 1,150 Caiman Multi-Terrain Vehicles among 4,569 MRAP vehicles requested by the United Arab Emirates from U.S. Army stock.

    Sources: UAE MRAP Arms Sales Notification

  5. MRAPs handed over to Nigeria

    The United States handed over 24 MRAP vehicles to Nigerian military authorities in Lagos for counter-Boko Haram support, with defense reporting identifying Caiman vehicles in the batch.

    Sources: AFRICOM U.S. Donates MRAPs to Nigeria, United States Donated 24 MaxxPro and Caiman MRAP Vehicles to Nigerian Army

Media

BAE Caiman MRAP Videos

BAE Caiman MRAP Images

BAE Caiman MRAP, Mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 1
Source: NASA Caiman MRAP Image
BAE Caiman MRAP, Mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 2
Source: Caiman IED Damage Image
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Sources

AFRICOM U.S. Donates MRAPs to NigeriaPublisher: U.S. Africa Command | Note: 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency direct use: documents the U.S. handover of 24 MRAP vehicles to Nigerian military authorities as counter-Boko Haram support and describes their protective role against IEDs, roadside bombs, and small-arms fire. | Accessed: 2026-07-03United States Donated 24 MaxxPro and Caiman MRAP Vehicles to Nigerian ArmyPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency direct use: Caiman MRAP vehicles were transferred to the Nigerian Army, with officials saying the MRAPs would protect troops fighting Boko Haram insurgents in northeastern Nigeria. | Accessed: 2026-07-03US Donates Armoured Vehicles to NigeriaPublisher: defenceWeb | Note: 2009 Boko Haram Insurgency direct use: Caiman MRAPs were supplied to Nigeria among U.S.-donated MRAPs intended to help combat and counter Boko Haram. | Accessed: 2026-07-03British-linked Weapons Used by Ground Forces in YemenPublisher: UK Parliament Committees / Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalists | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War conflict use: BAE Caimans used by southern secessionist forces supported by the UAE and used by Southern Giants forces in Hodeidah. | Accessed: 2026-07-03UAE MRAP Arms Sales NotificationPublisher: Federal Register / Defense Security Cooperation Agency | Note: Supports background on the UAE request for 1,150 Caiman Multi-Terrain Vehicles from U.S. Army stock and identifies BAE Systems in Sealy, Texas, among principal contractors. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Caiman Embraces Military MantraPublisher: BAE Systems | Note: Supports manufacturer and background context for the BAE-built Caiman MRAP family, including the FMTV/LSAC basis and the last U.S. MRAP out of Iraq event. | Accessed: 2026-07-03BAE Caiman MTV Continued WorkPublisher: BAE Systems | Note: Supports manufacturer and variant context for Caiman MTV upgrade work at Sealy, Texas, including improved floor, chassis, blast-absorbing seats, independent suspension, and upgraded powertrain. | Accessed: 2026-07-03BAE Systems New Caiman MTVPublisher: Defense Update | Note: Supports Caiman MTV variant and timeline context, including the Afghanistan-focused upgrade, reset capsule approach, all-terrain mobility changes, and troop/ambulance/command-role discussion. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Caiman MRAP SpecificationsPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports dimensions, mobility, protection, crew, speed, and range specifications for Caiman variants. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Caiman MRAP OverviewPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports Caiman family development background, 6x6 origins, 4x4 Caiman Light branch, 2,868-vehicle production completion statement, and 1,700-vehicle MTV upgrade contract context. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Caiman 6x6 FMTV MRAPPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports Caiman 6x6 crew, armament, protection, speed, range, and mounted weapon station data used in specs, variants, and mounted-armament relationships. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Caiman MRAP Vehicles in Iraq ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary image; U.S. Army work in the public domain. | Accessed: 2026-07-03NASA Caiman MRAP ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a NASA Caiman MRAP image; NASA work in the public domain. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Caiman IED Damage ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a damaged Caiman MRAP image; U.S. Army work in the public domain. | Accessed: 2026-07-03