[Cannoneer No. 4]

But who determines what the troops need? Obviously the men and women doing the job should be listened to, "end user input" is important, but they are usually too busy doing and too junior to be the people deciding what is available and what could be developed, tested and fielded in time to make a difference. That's what proponents and project managers are for. Instead we let our procurement be driven by emotion, media blitzes, and political pressure.

[Khurkris]

There it is. Send them AA reports. I honestly don't know how to correct this. In my Govt'al experiences I was always end user. Fortunately, if I needed something and did not have it I requisitioned, bought, borrowed or otherwise procurred what was deemed needed.
Today, sitreps are almost instantaneous. Ignorance of needs is not an excuse.
In the areas being shown on your threads, the right equiptment is already available and proven. Trouble is, its off shelf by a foreign manufacturer and US pols won't authorize purchase.
It ain't their kids out there. Just more partisan politics.