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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Vulnerable Humvees yield to Husky, Meerkat, Buffalo and RG-31 |
| 2004-07-02 |
| The U.S. Army has devised counter-measures against roadside bombs placed by Sunni insurgents which have taken a heavy toll on Humvees and other U.S. equipment. The army has helped develop a new series of platforms to detect and track improvised explosive devices. The new, heavily armored vehicles were also meant to protect U.S. troops. Officials said the army has lost numerous Humvees and other vehicles to IEDs. They said Humvees have been lost on a daily basis during the Shi’ite revolt in mid-April. "We continue to lose small numbers of Humvees on a daily basis, partially damaged by IEDs and such, and I think we had today some fuel trailers that were blown up," Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy director for coalition operations, said. The platforms were deemed the Husky, Meerkat, Buffalo and RG-31. All of the armored cars — designed in South Africa and the United States — were deployed by the 82nd Airborne Division’s Task Force Pathfinder. The vehicles, primarily designed to detect buried mines, have been searching the roadways for IEDs and other threats to soldiers on convoys and patrols. So far, the equipment has proven effective for a number of reasons, chiefly the detection abilities of the Husky and Meerkat vehicles. "These vehicles are designed to take a blast," Pfc. Lester Rhodes, a combat engineer and operator of the RG-31 armored car, said. "The safety given by these vehicles allows us to focus more energy on finding the rounds." Each vehicles is heavily armored and designed to resist blasts from both mines and IEDs. So far, the vehicles have found six IEDs. |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #6 I have a H&K USP .45 that works quite wonderfully as long as I avoid Winchester ammo. It hates that for some reason. Loaded with Federal Hydroshok or Remington's 230g Golden Saber, it works quite well. When I tried out the Glock, I disliked the way the balance shifted on it as the magazine emptied. Only a maniac or people like my mentor in shooting bother even trying to hit anything at 50 yards with a pistol, I certainly don't. I don't tend to even try and practice at anything 25 meters and then only rarely. 10m is far more likely and what I usually practice. If it's 50+ yards, then one of my 'assault rifles' do just fine and that's one reason I shoot Service Rifle competition. |
| Posted by: Silentbrick 2004-07-02 11:13:54 PM |
| #5 I used to carry a 1911 .45 - Kimber Custom. Its now a "case gun" - I have more faith in my Glock, although as a concealed carry piece the Glock does tend to paint a lot more than the 45. I prefer Glock - its truly a foolproof firearm - and I have several and have *never* had a misfeed. thats over 10,000 rounds of 9mm, S&W 40. (mostly the latter - the 9mm belongs to the Mrs who moved up from her SIG). Took it to war with me and other fun places too. And unlike the 45, it can be fired fairly accurately off-handed without much trouble. But most of all: Wet, Cold, Hot, Sandy, Muddy - the thing just WORKED. As for rounds, unless the opponent is wearing body armor, I prefer the 40S&W with a higher speed round (hot load) and a silvertip/hyrdashok type jacketed hollowpoint. And even then, the kinetic energy transfer is more than enough for a knockdown or a spin (letting me get in that next shot group). Whatever I hit, I want it to rip big chunks. Big slow rounds sometimes do, sometimes do not. My 40S&W (with the loads I like) will do so every time. Plus I automatically (thanks to too much training) doubletap. And unless its way tight in range, the first one is usually center mass, the second falls iin the neck or lower part of the head at 20-25 yards , upper head at 35 or so yards (muzzle climb and sometimes I still anticipate the second round on the trigger). If its less than 5 I use the rockback and fire from the waist, otherwise supported or else modified weaver. Why do I not brag about 50 yard pistols like a lot of internet posters? Because I know I'm not likely to hit often enough with a pistol from 50 yards under combat stress - and that 50 yard 10ring shot group is SOF magazine bullcrap in combat. If its 50 yards, then why the hell am I using my pistol? (Thats why God told men to invent the assault rifle) |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2004-07-02 10:59:37 PM |
| #4 Honestly Old Spook, I'd rather see them adopt the H&K MP7A1 for PDW's. While it's bigger than a pistol, it does pack more of punch. Failing that, they need to adopt a standard .45. Be it H&K's, Glock or SigSauer or an updated and enhanced M1911 series |
| Posted by: Silentbrick 2004-07-02 5:44:17 PM |
| #3 Nice to see the Army actually listening to its ranks instead of the Congress: Congress a few years ago (pre-9/11) forbid the Army from looking at the SA vehicles, instead trying to drum up business in certain un-named (Democrat) congressman's distrcts for Union autoworkers. Nice to know this changed and they can get a proven design - the SA's have faced threats for close to 3 decades similar to what we are seeing now. They make top-notch light infantry and semi-urban patrol gear and vehicles. Now if they can just get Glock in the door instead of the piece of crap Beretta M9... |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2004-07-02 5:40:12 PM |
| #2 Find the mines/ied's then put captured Jihadies/Bathshit insurgents to work disarming them |
| Posted by: Raptor 2004-07-02 1:26:07 PM |
| #1 Ima favor a bathist mobile. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-07-02 11:50:45 AM |