Check out this article from DefenseNews...read the whole thing but this tidbit has me ready to punch walls...
And these legacy systems have value into the future. It is noteworthy that the Marine Corps has elected to retain 2,600 MRAPs in its inventory as it prepares to reset its capabilities, along with Humvee rejuvenation and JLTV fielding planned for 2017. The Army has plans to preserve the capability, as well. However, the aforementioned researchers and authors who state that MRAPs were a waste of resources acknowledge none of this.The article is penned by Franz Gayl, science and technology adviser for Plans, Policies and Operations Department, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
The timing of the article also raised our curiosity, coming precisely at a time when the services seek to reset their armored wheeled vehicle capabilities as the wars draw down. After all, the JLTV program is working diligently to synthesize the best qualities of MRAP protection with lighter, more agile vehicles in a full and open competition. The authors promoted Humvees but failed to note its JLTV successor.
What I want to know is this. What are they smoking at Headquarters Marine Corps?
First he states that the Marine Corps will retain 2600 MRAPs. Then he states that the HUMVEE still has a role to play in the vehicle fleet of the future. And lastly he states that the JLTV is needed.
What the fuck dude?
So instead of operating MRAPs (and that's assuming that the Marine Corps settles on one particular model to go into storage instead of at least 3 that are currently in service), along with uparmored HUMVEEs, we'll now have 3 and possible 6 different vehicles performing the same mission.
Uparmored HUMVEEs, JLTVs, and MRAPs.
We get that instead of going with the good enough and buying a good, workable HUMVEE and going with MRAPs if we get into IED territory again!
So instead of necking down vehicles in the Fleet Marine Forces we're going to be increasing the variety of them.
Say that out loud and see if it makes sense to you. The Marine Corps is screwing the pooch on this one. This is not how America's most frugal and cost effective fighting force does things.