Profile
- Type
- 4x4 mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle
- Conflict side
- Yemeni government and coalition forces
- Origin
- United States
- Service note
- Introduced in 2004 and exported before the Yemen Civil War
Armored Vehicles
Cougar 4x4 MRAP
The Cougar 4x4 MRAP is a U.S.-built protected mobility vehicle developed by Force Protection for patrol, convoy, command, and route-security missions against mines and improvised explosive devices. In Yemen-related open-source records, the Cougar 4x4 appears as a photographed Yemeni MRAP type, with the conflict-use claim kept narrow because public sources document fielding rather than a specific tactical employment record.
- Conflict side
- Yemeni government and coalition forces
- Built in
- United States
Service History
- In service
- Entered U.S. service from 2004; Yemeni examples documented in open-source vehicle lists by 2015
- Used by
- Yemeni military, U.S. Armed Forces
- Wars
- Yemen Civil War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan
Production History
- Designer
- Force Protection Industries
- Designed
- Early 2000s
- Built in
- United States
- Unit cost
- Not publicly reported for Yemeni vehicles
- Produced
- 2002 onward
- Number built
- Part of the wider Cougar MRAP family; exact 4x4 total varies by contract and variant
- Variants
- Cougar H 4x4, Cougar ISS, Iraqi Light Armored Vehicle / Badger family
Specifications
- Crew and passengers
- Typically 2 crew plus 4 passengers in the 4x4 configuration
- Weight
- About 32,000 lb curb weight
- Dimensions
- Approximately 19 ft 5 in long, 9 ft wide, and 8 ft 8 in high
- Engine
- Caterpillar C-7 diesel, about 330 hp
- Mobility
- 4x4 drive; about 65 mph maximum road speed and 600 mi range
- Protection
- V-shaped monocoque hull intended to deflect mine and IED blast effects
- Armament
- Optional 7.62 mm machine gun, 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher
Conflict Usage
- Yemen Civil War
- Side: Yemeni government and coalition forcesRole: Protected patrol and troop movement
Photo-backed open-source equipment lists identify the Cougar 4x4 among Yemeni MRAP vehicles in the Yemen Civil War context; the available source supports fielding by Yemeni government inventory but not a specific engagement or unit.
Cougar 4x4 MRAP Images
Related Weapon Systems
Badger ILAV4x4 mine-resistant armored personnel carrierThe Badger ILAV is a 4x4 International Light Armored Vehicle derived from the Cougar MRAP family, built to move troops with better mine and improvised-explosive-device protection than light trucks. Yemen received a small number before the civil war, and open-source imagery places the type among armored vehicles visible in Houthi-controlled Yemen.
BAE Caiman MRAPMine-resistant ambush-protected vehicleThe BAE Caiman is a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle derived from the FMTV truck family and Low Signature Armored Cab work, built to move troops through mine, IED, and ambush threats. In the Yemen Civil War, open-source investigations documented Caimans with UAE-backed southern forces, giving the vehicle a protected-mobility role inside the coalition-aligned ground equipment record.
International MaxxProMine-resistant ambush protected vehicleA wheeled MRAP supplied to improve crew protection against mines, shell fragments, and ambushes. It is common in troop transport, patrol, and evacuation tasks.
Oshkosh M-ATV4x4 mine-resistant ambush protected vehicleThe Oshkosh M-ATV is a U.S.-built 4x4 MRAP designed to combine mine and ambush protection with better off-road mobility than earlier heavy MRAPs. Its V-hull, armored crew capsule, blast seats, TAK-4 independent suspension, and long road range make it useful as protected tactical transport, convoy security, and battlefield mobility equipment. In the Russia-Ukraine War, open-source reporting has documented M-ATVs in Ukrainian service as part of the broader flow of Western MRAPs used to move troops under mine, artillery, and small-arms threat.
REVA armored vehicleMine-resistant ambush-protected armored personnel carrierThe REVA is a South African mine-resistant armored vehicle family built around a V-shaped armored hull for troop transport and protected mobility. In the Yemen Civil War, reporting on the UAE-led campaign in Hadramaut documents Reva MRAPs used to mount local pro-government tribal forces alongside other coalition-provided armored vehicles.
Agrab 120 mm mortar systemWheeled self-propelled 120 mm mortar carrierThe Agrab is a UAE-led mobile mortar system that combines ST Kinetics' 120 mm SRAMS mortar with the mine-protected RG-31 vehicle family. In the Yemen Civil War, Amnesty International documented the system among weapons used by UAE-allied militias around Hodeidah, making it part of the coalition-aligned ground fire-support record rather than a generic mortar listing.Sources
Handbook Of Pre-War Yemeni Fighting VehiclesPublisher: Oryx | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War direct equipment context: lists the Cougar 4x4 under Yemeni MRAP vehicles and describes the list as equipment available to Yemeni parties on the battlefield, supporting that the type was fielded by Yemeni government inventory in the Yemen Civil War while not documenting a specific engagement. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Global MRAP: The International Light Armored VehiclePublisher: Defense Industry Daily | Note: Supports background on the BAE/Force Protection Cougar-derived ILAV program and reports 18 vehicles for Yemen before the Yemen Civil War. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Cougar 4x4 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected VehiclePublisher: Tucson Military Vehicle Museum | Note: Supports Cougar 4x4 background, service-entry context, dimensions, crew, engine, range, speed, armament options, and blast-protection description. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Armoured Vehicles Handbook 2022Publisher: Shephard Media | Note: Supports General Dynamics/Force Protection manufacturer background, Cougar 4x4 specifications, and export context including Yemen. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Cougar MRAP, USAPublisher: Army Technology | Note: Supports background on Cougar MRAP roles including patrol, convoy support, command and control, EOD, and forward observation. | Accessed: 2026-06-20MRAP Production Facility Demonstrates Industry's CommitmentPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports public-domain image provenance for Cougar H 4x4 vehicles produced at Force Protection Industries. | Accessed: 2026-06-20MRAP Course for U.S. MarinesPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports public-domain gallery image provenance for a Force Protection MRAP training vehicle. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Workhorses Keep Iraqi Roads Clear of Roadside BombsPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports public-domain gallery image provenance for a Cougar MRAP used in route-clearance training. | Accessed: 2026-06-20