[Paul Ross]

I, too, think that those who predicted “disaster” were mistaken. As it is, the FCS program is nowhere in sight and the Stryker will likely become much more than the “interim” vehicle proposed.

That is the real good news of the situation. The Stryker does work. And well. But not enough for the "rogue nation" enemy which can do all its scientific work over in Iran...and then effortlessly...and without consequence... infiltrate their combat teams across the Iranian border armed with the latest weapons and tactics.

What do you think of the multiple versions of MRAP coming on line now? (Perhaps two years too late to make a real difference now in our political-support avalanche situation) They sound REALLY tough.

With that in mind, deployability concerns become more of an issue.

I suppose the MRAP will have similar issues.

Of course, if the DOD would get off its ass and extend the C-17 line in California, this shortcoming would be heavily mitigated.

Actually, that wasn't the DOD...so much as the Bush Administration refusing to keep the C-17 alive. They CHOSE to kill it. They have hinted they thought they could "outsource" the logistical need or buy some sort of commercial Airbus replacements for less. (All of which happy-horshit turned out to be rather badly mistaken).

Over and over, this supposed "business manager" has proven to be "Penny Wise, and Pound Foolish. Don't blame the Pentagon for that one.

That little collossal stupidity has "WHITE HOUSE INTERFERENCE" thumbprints all over it. Totally ARBITRARY funding limits on the DOD...IN A WAR.

And ignoring that the best equipment is needed...like the C-17.

Just like the NAVY ship complement implosion that Bush has orchestrated. Not the Pentagon's fault. Bush imposed ARBITRARY AND FOOLISH Navy budget limits...irrespective of the Xlinton legacy to our fleet. The White House refuses to budget strategically...squandering assets, nor budgeting for replacements or sustaining of the existing base of the arsenal.

This president was not kidding when he said, and I quote: "I never wanted to be a War President."

He clearly still doesn't. Even when it is thrust upon him. He is continuing to deplete our strategic forces.

[SJSAMPLE]

Yep. The MRAP vehicles are already showing problems with deployability. The suspension and undercarriage designs create a much taller vehicle and the armor adds weight the puts it outside the abilities of the C-130 to carry. I don't know if it's classified as "outsized" cargo, but they sure look like it.

The RG-31 and RG-33 are neat, but they're just another level of protection and a few have already been defeated. There's a thread somewhere about a Canadian RG-33 that was totally obliterated and the attempts to keep this under wraps. Really though, anything that will blow up an M1A2 Abrams (like three 155mm arty shells wired together) is going to slice through any MRAP we can currently think of..

The good news for the C-17 is that there's been some interest in a civilian "outsized" airlifter. That may be enough to keep a working C-17 line open until the DOD Bush gets his head together and fully funds the program.