Armed forces after lighter, nimbler MRAPs?

Inside Defense (subscription required) reports that the Army is asking MRAP manufacturers to offer a version of the MRAP better suited to rough terrain and bad roads.

This development takes place after reports that MRAPs have encountered rollover problems, particularly in areas with bad bridges, weak road shoulders and rough terrain. Sound like Afghanistan to you?

In an earlier post, I mused that the emphasis on the relatively light RG-31 with the most recent MRAP order indicated that the vehicle was viewed as the MRAP best suited to the theater in Afghanistan. I further supposed that it probably meant no Force Protection Cheetah orders for Afghanistan.

On the first point I think I hit the mark. On the second it appears I may have spoken too soon. The Army apparently does want to explore the possibility of getting something better suited to Afghanistan than the RG-31.

The Cheetah probably cannot be counted out. Though each company involved in the MRAP program has its engineering wizards, the models they have produced thus far place limits on the possible degree of modification. If the Cheetah performs well with respect to the critical requirements offered by the Army then I can't see how it does not have the inside track toward a modest vehicle order.