Yes, there was a need for such an AFV with the insurgent war in A'stan and Iraq. Where many losses were due to mines, IEDs, etc. And the insurgents preferred to generally use the "classic" guerilla ambush/hit and run tactics, etc.
The HMMWV proved far too fragile in this environment. Introduction of this type of vehicle may have come too late and could possibly have saved some lives ? But you go to war with the weapons you have it is said.
IIRC the IDF and South Africans have had vehicles of a similar design for quite some time.
Many were given to local LEOs in the US. I've seen the one our local police force was given. Still in desert tan, before it was painted in the standard tactical black.
GHQ makes a 4 and 6 wheeled versions of some types …
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experiments at 11x.
