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Thanks for posting this. I don't mean to denigrate the innovative efforts of this fine NCO, but this is a good illustration of the complex nature of this problem. The easy part of this equation is protection against 7.62mm ball and AP ammunition. 12.7 mm is much harder to protect against. Even harder, is the requirement to protect against the blast and overpressure effects of Improved Explosive Devices (IEDs). The Army standard armor plating was developed against the projectile threat. It was largely ineffective against the blast of IEDs. Hence, the new standard and new Add On Armor (AOA) kits. Most injuries today come from IED's, not 7.62 and 12.7 projectiles.

The other problem is that the M1114 is a very poor design as far as a combat vehicle is concerned. Your really can't fight from a M1114. Most units are telling us that are willing to sacrifice passive protection for the ability to fight from the vehicle - some armor but multiple machine gun mounts on all corners and improved automotive performance. Of course, when the politicians get involved, all common sense goes out the window which is basically where we are now.

This:

Or this:

Of course, when the politicians get involved, all common sense goes out the window which is basically where we are now.

Amen to that.