New Army Truck goes into Full Production Release

[Pew]

So another unarmored humvee that we'll add 5 tons of armor too later and make it less reliable.

 

[Trav]

They could just build big dune buggies and have the same thing. A total waste of money IMO. Someone got paid for approving this joke.

 

[97K15004WD]

So another unarmored humvee that we'll add 5 tons of armor too later and make it less reliable.

Yeah, that's what I afraid is going to happen - But only after soldiers die for lack of protection.

It happens over and over. The old M151A5 (Jeep) was replaced by the HUMVEE because the jeep was too small.

But in-between was the CUCV. A Chevy Blazer painted in camo and stripped down for Army use.

Then the HUMVEE could not meet mission in the real environment, so UP-ARMORED. Necessitating beefier everything to keep rolling (in the first few years of use in the middle east, tires would only last 200 miles before going tango uniform due to weight and heat.

I am afraid the same thing will happen here. As soon as a squad becomes a casualty due to the vehicle in use, the command will investigate and then Cougars and Buffalo's will be back.

 

[burbguy82]

I have a lot of experience with federal government acquisition contracts, both on the government side when I was a budget officer and later a special agent investigating contractor fraud, and also working for defense contractors on contracts of all sizes. It doesn't do much good to compare the cost of a specialized vehicle like the ISV to a vehicle you can buy at the Chevy dealer. When the government gets involved, the requirements stipulated in the contract are not limited to the performance of the finished product. There are very specific requirements on cost and schedule reporting (Earned Value Management, etc), all manner of engineering reviews, extensive testing, etc. It's a rare contract that does not involve the government changing its mind on requirements, and each change has a big effect on cost. The government program office pays for all of this in the contract.

100%...but

Why do we even need this new vehicle? Why even spend the money?

I get it when it comes to fighter planes, as they have to be on the cutting edge, but a truck?

Ridiculous.

 

[burbguy82]

They could just build big dune buggies and have the same thing. A total waste of money IMO. Someone got paid for approving this joke.

I agree 100%. And lived it.

We had three different vehicles, two FAVs, (chenowith buggy), two different humvees, and a small fleet of Honda Rancher 4x4s, all in a FOB, of maybe 100 men.

 

[burbguy82]

Yeah, that's what I afraid is going to happen - But only after soldiers die for lack of protection.

It happens over and over. The old M151A5 (Jeep) was replaced by the HUMVEE because the jeep was too small.

But in-between was the CUCV. A Chevy Blazer painted in camo and stripped down for Army use.

Then the HUMVEE could not meet mission in the real environment, so UP-ARMORED. Necessitating beefier everything to keep rolling (in the first few years of use in the middle east, tires would only last 200 miles before going tango uniform due to weight and heat.

I am afraid the same thing will happen here. As soon as a squad becomes a casualty due to the vehicle in use, the command will investigate and then Cougars and Buffalo's will be back.

It is all based on the type of war intended, notice they are painted green right? In IRAQ, our troops were sitting ducks, so they needed to be in something hard. Now, I dont think the MRAP was the best thing since sliced bread, but it was more effective than the humvee, for its intended purpose.

Funny how things go full circle in the military.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Yeah, that's what I afraid is going to happen - But only after soldiers die for lack of protection.

It happens over and over. The old M151A5 (Jeep) was replaced by the HUMVEE because the jeep was too small.

But in-between was the CUCV. A Chevy Blazer painted in camo and stripped down for Army use.

Then the HUMVEE could not meet mission in the real environment, so UP-ARMORED. Necessitating beefier everything to keep rolling (in the first few years of use in the middle east, tires would only last 200 miles before going tango uniform due to weight and heat.

I am afraid the same thing will happen here. As soon as a squad becomes a casualty due to the vehicle in use, the command will investigate and then Cougars and Buffalo's will be back.

You heard about the squad that rode down the mountain side into enemy territory where they bailed out , engaged the enemy and took out 20 fighters. The manufacturers rep asked how the truck performed. The Sarge threw the keys over and said “ fix the brakes”.