Report: Armor Causing Humvees to Roll Over

Associated Press ^ | Jun 11, 2006

[archy]

Exactly...it was designed as a replacement for the Jeep.

The old M151 sereies Ford jeeps were so notorious about their rollover characteristics that they were known as the *Roly-Poly* among troops using them along the East German-Czechoslovokian 5KM Zone with West Germany; their *official* nickname of *MUTT*, for M/ilitary U/tility T/actical T/ruck was virtually unknown by the troops, and was likely dreamed up by some Automotive Command press officer. The additional weight and even higher center of gravity of machine gun mounts and the M40A1 106mm recoilless rifle-mounted version made things worse, as did multiple radios in command jeep versions.

Eventually, all the remaining M151/A1/A2/A3 versions remaining in service were supposed to be fitted with a roll-over protection cage, known as a ROPS. Which, of course, raised the center of gravity and made rollovers more likely....

One surprising happy spot: the stretched-wheelbase Front Line Ambulance M718 version was pretty good around corners, even on twisty-turny German roads with ice, slush and mud.

But it was not just the jeep that the Humvee replaced: also the much-beloved M37 Dodge *power wagon* weapons carrier, the M715 4x4 truck and the later Dodge M880 *five quarter ton* 4-wheel drive pickup and Chevy M1009 CUCV Blazer. It looks now like the Hummvees will not enjoy the long and dutiful life span of the old Jeeps at all.

[ichabod1]

Fire Rumsfeld [/s]

[ichabod1]

The Humvee was not developed for up armoring, nor was it developed defeat IEDs. It is a light vehicle and should be used as such. The Stryker and Bradley are more suited to do the job that the Humvee is being tasked to do.

THAT is what I've been saying all along. If an armored car is needed, use an armored car, don't come along and put armor on my SUV.

[ichabod1]

The problem is that IEDs can't be predicted, so you'd have to use Strykers or Bradleys for virtually every task.

That's the kind of war this is. Are we for giving the troops what they need? Or making them ride around in hummers because they're cheaper.

[hattend]

Chevy M1009 CUCV Blazer

I remember those. I drove one when I did weather support for the Big Red One at Ft Riley.

Thanks for reminding me, I had forgotten it's "official" designation.

[ichabod1]

[hattend]

I have one of those Urban Assault RVs.