Troop carriers survive roadside bombs.

• Author: Williams, Robert H.
• Position: Tech Talk - Brief Article

The U.S. Marine Corps is purchasing new armored vehicles to protect troops in convoys from the ravages of roadside bombs, mines, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire.

Among the latest acquisitions are 27 troop-transport armored vehicles from Force Protection Inc., of Ladson, S.C. Comparable troop carriers have received high marks from soldiers in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan, according to company officials.

Besides protecting troops and equipment in hostile territory, the vehicles are designed to safely detonate or remove mines.

Several foreign governments, according to a spokesman...