The Pentagon is fast-tracking a multibillion-dollar competition to outfit ground forces in Afghanistan with new, off-road terrain vehicles that protect against rocket-propelled grenades and explosive devices.

The military says it needs hybrid armored vehicles to provide the same type of protection as mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, while being far more agile, lighter and providing increased maneuverability to handle Afghanistan's rocky terrain, according to a request for bids released late Monday.

"This is a high priority accelerated acquisition in support of the global war on terror," according to the Pentagon request, which means manufacturers would have to set aside other projects to meet the military's demand as soon as possible. The first set of vehicles is expected to be delivered next fall.

The Defense Department said it could buy between 2,080 and 10,000 of the so-called MRAP-All Terrain Vehicles for use by the Army and Marines Corps.

Among the companies likely to compete for the contract are: the U.S. subsidiary of British defense conglomerate BAE Systems PLC, Lockheed Martin Corp., Humvee maker AM General and Navistar International Corp. The Pentagon has spent roughly $24 billion so far on the current MRAP program.

This latest batch of vehicles requested by the Pentagon would be in addition to the more than 1,100 MRAPs already in Afghanistan, and the nearly 9,000 in Iraq, which have been built by General Dynamics Corp., Force Protection Inc. and others. Blasts from roadside bombs are the leading cause of combat deaths in Iraq and have become a growing threat in Afghanistan.

The Pentagon has been seeking to replace and refurbish its military trucks like the Humvee, and reassessing what types of vehicles it needs as it further engages in operations in countries like Afghanistan.

The Army and Marines in October picked teams led by Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and BAE Systems to compete in developing a lightweight tactical vehicle to replace the Humvee. That contract, which could be worth up to $20 billion, has been put on hold after Northrop Grumman Corp. and its partner Oshkosh Corp., as well as Boeing Co. and Textron Inc., protested the decision.

Responses to the MRAP-All Terrain Vehicle request for bids are due back to the government by Jan. 12. Those selected in the first round in February will each receive a $1 million contract to build and deliver two test vehicles.

The Pentagon says it will award as many as five contracts in April for more test vehicles after evaluation and testing of the prototypes are completed.

The military anticipates awarding a final production deal to one contractor in June, but could place orders with other vehicle makers.

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