Report warns of problems in MRAP rush (Million-Dollar Kleenex)

[RamboLiberal]

Source: USA Today

Fielding thousands of new armored vehicles may hinder the military's counterinsurgency efforts in Iraq and could result in more U.S. casualties, according to a report released Wednesday by a non-partisan think tank.

The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments study concludes that policymakers should consider the potential downside of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles before rushing them to Iraq. The Pentagon has orders for 6,500 of the vehicles and wants to acquire 15,000 in 2008. The troop-carrying version of the MRAP costs $500,000-$600,000; installing electronic and other equipment can add $250,000 to the cost.

The vehicle's raised, V-shaped chassis helps disperse the blast from the improvised explosive devices that account for 60% of U.S. combat deaths. They're safer than Humvees in surviving blasts from buried bombs, according to the Marine Corps.

"Simple solutions to complex problems are inherently attractive and almost always wrong," said Andrew Krepinevich, the center's president. "Prior to making such a substantial commitment to this program, Congress, the Department of Defense and senior military service leaders should carefully consider the array of issues raised in this report."



Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2007-10-17-mrap_N.htm

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These fools go on to call the MRAPs - "million-dollar Kleenex". I vote we draft these clowns and send them to Iraq w/o armored vehicles. Let them get close up and personal with the Iraqis and see how long they last.

[PSPS]

1. I wonder which crony-headed company will get this no-bid contract?

As it is, Iraqis describe the arrival of blackwater to a town as "like a circus coming to town." I'm sure these would provide an even more macabre version.

Why not save the million-dollars-a-piece penis substitutes and just end the illegal occupation? (A rhetorical question.)

They apartheid government of South Africa used vehicles like this in the "townships." The only thing they were good for was establishing a momentarily safe position from which to fire wildly into crowds of citizens.

[BrklynLib at work]

2. Another war-made millionaire, no doubt, who is a big repuke contributor.

[hatrack]

3. I can almost hear the Iraqi IED designers now . .

Ahmed: "What must we do to foil these cursed infidels? They have fashioned a larger vehicle for their soldiers!"

Omar: "Ahmed, my friend, I have it - we must build larger bombs!!!!"

[MilesColtrane]

4. Blackwater™ is rolling in so much blood money, they can afford to build their own.

The Grizzly™, coming soon to a street near you?