Hulking, tough MRAP displaces Humvee - USATODAY.com I remember when the Humvee first came out as being a replacement for the Jeep, some criticized it since it was so much more expensive and a incredible gas guzzler compared to the Jeep. But, arguably, a Jeep would be WAY worse for troops from a safety POV in these conditions than an armored Humvee.
Another example of the ever changing nature of war. The HMMWV was well designed for its mission, but the rules changed when we started occupying countries. Tom
The problem with the HMMWV is that it was never designed to be armored against IED's and small arms fire. Adding on the armor pushes the weight past the rated GVWR and results in a sluggish vehicle, dramatically increased failures, etc It's pretty much a given now that any theater of combat, even a "peacekeeping" mission, will result in IED and small arms fire. You need a vehicle that is purposely designed to be MRAP - Mine Resistant Ambush Protected The Oshkosh Defense MATV (MRAP All Terrain Vehicle) was designed to meet those goals. At much increased cost
I didn't mind the HMMWV as a military vehicle. I thought it was a kick-nice person vehicle when I first learned about it way back when. What annoyed me is what has me scared today: when when the MRAP become available for retail?
You are aware the initial 2,244 contract is worth one billion? Not too many folks would be able to afford that
You didn't hear? Arnold Schwarzenegger has got one on order. It has leather seats. Seriously though, next door neighbor just got back from Afghanistan and he says the new vehicles are wonderful though a bit tippy in the rough terrain.
While made in Germany, they did try to sell the Unimog here in the states. I think they only sold something like 148 of them. Now you have to import if you want one. They are really cool trucks. Think of a giant Swiss Army knife on wheels. They have accessories for nearly every sort of function. Tom
