Posted on 01/25/2011 11:00:37 PM PST by pissant
When the conversation about achieving budget savings within the Pentagon started gaining momentum about a year ago, there was no disagreement on the value of identifying efficiencies and redirecting dollars to modernization and development - where funding is needed most. The annual defense budget is by no means exempt from the spending debate, but Congress and the administration must exercise a certain degree of caution when agreeing to any cuts without first considering their implication.
The renewed focus on finding budget savings and efficiencies is necessary and long overdue. For defense, the budget is not sacrosanct. It can be cut smartly and quickly, though that does not mean pursuing spending cuts that directly undermine our military and threaten the core capability of each service branch against current and future threat assessments. But this is exactly the case with the Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), which Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates recently recommended for termination as part of more than $178 billion in proposed budget cuts.
The EFV is all about maintaining the core competency of the Marine Corps: getting Marines from ship to shore. This is the trademark mission of the Marine Corps, differentiating it from the other service branches and defining it as both a land and sea force that is capable of undertaking any mission. Throughout history, the Marines have always been at the tip of the spear, leading our nation and military in combat, and much of the Corps‘ history centers on its unique amphibious assault capability.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
amen
Well, they need something to replace the AAV. Those things are old and outdated.
When we can insert them from orbit, we’ll be getting somewhere.
With Anti-Ship Missiles available nowadays, they would be sitting ducks. Even with days of softening up landing areas, as was done at Iwo Jima for example, look at the resistance the Japanese were still able to offer. And the Anti-Ship Missles can be fired miles inland from a beach.
Duncan's editorial might as well have a General Dynamics letterhead on it.
Some in the Pentagon have it in for the Marines. Only a few short years ago they were bashing the V-22, which is performing flawlessly now in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now the new amphib vehicle and the STOVL X35 replacement for the Harrier.
Horsemanure. We have the ability to take control of beachheads via air power like never before. Gotta get the boys off the boats somehow.
What’s the big deal with missiles? Do we not maneuver on land against RPG, wire guided and other missiles? Do aviation units not go about their tasks in missile filled environments? What’s the purpose of chain guns, chaff, electronic warfare aboard ships?
Seriously, when was the last time the US needed a forced amphibious landing? Korea?
That comment deserves a BUMP....
The Marines have/going to spend 30 billion on the Osprey. Maybe more. Too bad they didn’t spend one single dollar on Mine Resistant Vehicles( fifty year old technology ) during all of Vietnam, post Vietnam( 30+ years ) and were forced to take them in Iraq. I figure just in Iraq 500 Marines were killed and many thousands severely injured. ( More for the Army ).
While I’m not wedded to the EFV as designed and made by GD, I do observe that the second-generation prototype vehicles are performing far better than the SDD-1 vehicles did in 2006 (reliability-wise). Another few months seems a small price to pay to analyze the latest design test results and decide on the basis of facts rather than emotions.
TC
Since when is it pork? It’s been under development since before Bush came to office. The Marines have wanted this since forever.
I want a pony, but cannot get the old lady to buy it. The pacific war is long over.
Lord knows there will never be another war requiring a beach landing.
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