[A. Pole]

Why We Don't Have Armor?
[...]
Because there is only one steel-fabricating plant left in America

Free trade bump!

[Walkin Man]

Yeah, we don't need any nasty old steel plants!

Just more jobs Americans refuse to do!

Maybe if we get down on our knees and beg the communist dictator that runs Red China, he might have mercy on us and send some Humvee armor along with all the other containers of communist slave labor goods that are shipped here everyday!?

[Final Authority]

I do not think that is true at all, besides, the armor that is used in the HumVees is made of composite materials. These include ceramic fiber, resin matrix, aluminum plate, steel parts, etc.. What we should be asking is why the rate to equip vehicles is going slowly. It seems to me that doing what is needed is better done as fast as possible as delays just cause more casualities.

Some of the armor is no doubt steel plate. Steel is available in all alloys readily and fabrication is no problem as hundreds of factories cut, bend, weld and heat treat steel everyday. This is one of the businesses I have been involved in for years now, so I know what I am saying. I have also been involved in composite manufacturing and design. There might be a unique company that best makes armor for these vehicles but in time of war there is no such thing as proprietary rights. The Government can demand the manufacturing documentation and bid out production to a number of manufacturers. This is how Ford built many airplanes in WWII, that were designed by Boeing.

[GraniteStateConservative]

This is a total result of deindustrialization. Absolutely. Our founding fathers knew these perils.

[JesseHousman]

Sad, but good point, Pole!