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| Science & Technology |
| Beginning of the end for HUMVEE |
| 2008-10-01 |
| The Pentagon is inching closer to replacing the Humvee — once called the "jeep on steroids" and currently the vehicular backbone of U.S. military operations in Iraq — with the latest lightweight tactical vehicle under development. The Defense Department next month is expected to select at least three of the seven competing teams to advance to the next phase of a multibillion-dollar competition to build a lighter, more agile tactical vehicle that can withstand roadside bombs and explosive devices. Like the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, or MRAPs, urgently requested by the Pentagon more than a year ago, the lightweight vehicles will be equipped with V-shaped hulls to protect soldiers from the latest urban threats, while still providing maneuverability and speed. Among the teams competing for a stake in the deal while mingling with military officials here Tuesday at a Marine Corps conference were: Northrop Grumman Corp. and partner Oshkosh Corp.; the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems PLC and its teammate Navistar International Corp.; General Dynamics Corp. and Humvee maker AM General; and Lockheed Martin Corp. and Armor Holdings. The vehicles will feature technology to absorb shocks from blasts, travel 90 miles per hour, and be easier to transport into and out of battle zones compared with the heavier MRAPs. While no weight requirement has been set by the services, the vehicles must be light enough for a C-130J aircraft to transport two of them, according to industry officials. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #5 "The HUMVEES will [still]be around for decades..."> THOUGHT SO. "BEGINNING OF THE END" > Yessirree You Betcha, like the COLT .45, the JEEP per se, HUEY SLICKS AND COBRAS, Ma Deuce, M113's Series, .....@etc. FAMOUS LAST WORDS, FULL OF SOUND AND FURY, SIGNIFYING NUTHIN'. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-10-01 20:59 |
| #4 How about modifying an RV? I saw it in a movie and it worked nicely. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2008-10-01 18:24 |
| #3 There are 3 serious teams with prototype versions of a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle in test by the US Army, a whittling down from a bunch of early stage proposals. Other teams are competing at the DOD level. Blackwater and Raytheon are teamed - more here on their pitch to the special forces community. Oshkosh & Northrup are teamed and building on their USMC vehicle experience, especially the TAK-4 suspension system they developed for the Marine Corps' Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) trucks, which are designed for fast speed over uneven terrain and their electrical drive train. Lots more to be found by googling. It's a major procurement and the various teams are focusing their offerings on different design strengths. DOD is inviting international participation along the lines of the JSF, which would enable interoperability with allies in the future (and shared development costs). |
| Posted by: lotp 2008-10-01 13:00 |
| #2 Minister, I think that "bit" you mention is the "bit" where a few people a) get very rich; and b) offered really high paying jobs in the civilian area. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2008-10-01 12:44 |
| #1 "a lighter, more agile tactical vehicle that can withstand roadside bombs" A lighter weight vehicle with superior agility AND armor? What, no 100mpg carburetor? LOL With pixie dust specs like these, I boldly predict this development program will proceed for a bit...and get canceled. |
| Posted by: Minister of funny walks 2008-10-01 12:33 |