The Cougar HEV 4x4 layout is conventional, with the engine at the front, commander (left) and driver (right) both have armoured steel side doors and troop compartment at the rear. As with other MRAP vehicles, the Cougar 4x4 offers protection against mine, IED/EFP/RPG impact and small arms fire. The Cougar range vehicle was designed to withstand a 13 kg blast of TNT to either the front or rear axles, as well as a 7 kg blast to the center portion of the vehicle. The Cougar HEV 4x4 provided added protection for combat engineers and explosive ordinance disposal personnel, who in the US Marine Corps had previously lacked adequate organic battlefield transportation capability and protection to conduct independent missions. To the front and sides of the commander and driver are bulletproof windows which provide the same level of protection as the hull. The troops enter and leave via two doors in the rear, both of which have a bulletproof window. Each side of the crew compartment is also equipped with one large bulletproof window. Several storage compartments are located in the vehicle's exterior body section to facilitate the storage and carrying of various types of engineer equipment and ammunition. On the rear part of the top of crew compartment, there is electronic jamming system which is used against IEDs threats.