07 February 2009

More Adventures in the Incompetence of the Iron Triangle

In this case, it's the Marine Corps, who have found a disaster besides the EFV, the Growler, which is basically a stunted version of the Jeep Cherokee designed to fit in the cargo bay of the V-22 Osprey.

It's supposed to serve for basic transportation, and to tow a trailer for a mortar.
As Paul McLeary notes, "Well take a look at the vehicle and tell me if you would want to tool around IED alley in Afghanistan in this thing." (Emphasis Original)

In addition to being dangerously exposed in combat areas, it's cost has skyrocketed:
The inspector general report said that the average cost of a single Growler has risen 120 percent, from about $94,000 when the contract was awarded in 2004 to $209,000 in 2008. The unit cost for the vehicle with mortar and ammunition trailer has grown 86 percent, from $579,000 to $1,078,000.
It turns out that part of this has been the Marines adding features, "air suspension ... a new cooling system, power steering and power brakes, along with a beefed-up General Motors engine...," of which only the air suspension would be considered crucial to the mission (it allows the vehicle to squat to fit in the Osprey).

Note that this contract was awarded in 2004, when it was clear that a thin skinned vehicle would not be acceptable in current conflicts.

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