U.S. Army Appeals for Better Combat Vehicles in Iraq ("too many funerals")

[Barrett808]

U.S. Army Appeals for Better Combat Vehicles in Iraq
By Andrea Shalal-Esa

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Faced with continuing attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Army generals on Tuesday urged defense contractors to step forward with creative ways to make combat vehicles less vulnerable to roadside bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and other threats.

Brig. Gen. Roger Nadeau, program executive officer for ground combat systems, lauded the performance of Abrams tanks and Stryker armed vehicles built by General Dynamics Corp. and Bradley Fighting Vehicles built by United Defense Industries Inc.

But he said all three vehicles, as well as armor-reinforced Humvees and trucks in maintenance convoys, remained vulnerable to attacks by roadside bombs and rocket-propelled grenades, even though the U.S. military had already rushed to retrofit its equipment with additional armor and other protective gear.

"Underneath, on the sides, on top, there are specific areas" of vulnerability, Nadeau told a conference sponsored by the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement. "We are always looking for ways to improve the survivability."

"We need exponentially better -- however you define what that is -- and then it's about balancing the cost," he said. He vowed to be a company's "strongest advocate" for rushing new protective gear to the frontlines as soon as possible, even if that involved trimming back funding elsewhere.

...

The bottom line was protecting U.S. troops, Nadeau said, adding, "We go to too many funerals."

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040525/us_nm/iraq_usa_armor_dc&cid=1896&ncid=1480

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Where'd the half-trillion go?

It's a crying shame that we don't fund our military! :grr:

[daleo]

4. "it's about balancing the cost"

Direct quote - maybe a little out of context, but not much.

[Boomer]

2. Thanks a lot, Rummy

Rumsfeld wanted a fast, light military instead of all those heavy, lumbering tanks that save soldiers from being blown to bits.

Yep, he's done a simply splendid job as Secretary of Defense.

[madrchsod]

3. if the iraqi`s would have put up

half a defense during the drive to bagdad our troops would have died by the hundreds or thousands. huge gamble that could have left our men and woman shredded in the sands of iraq. this is why any talk of invading iran is foolish..
this assesment came from the review of the operation by the marine corp..

[Imperialism Inc.]

5. Sorry guys. We only have 400 billion to work with and making

weapons of mass destruction comes first.

Oh, and by the way, we are cutting your pay.

Have a nice war.

[Spinzonner]

6. Maybe we could build a few less useless ...

ineffectual Missile defense sites for some decent protective systems.

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. How about we save the money and simply get out of Iraq

What are we doing in a country where this kind of armored transportation is needed???

[Massacure]

8. I remember seeing an article on Fox about Humvees

The U.S. originally sent unarmored humvees, and now they are trying to replace them with armored ones. Rumsfeld should have armored them before they went to Iraq.

[bemildred]

9. I'll bet the vehicles would be safe back in Killeen. nt

[Hobarticus]

10. I've got an idea...bring them home!

Sorry, just seemed obvious to me.