What's New, Pussycat?
Bonzo goes to Bitburg then goes out for a cup of tea
As I watched it on tv somehow it really bothered me
--Bonzo Goes to Bitburg, The Ramones
Then someone yelled "Contact!" and the bloke behind me swore
We hooked in there for hours, then a Godalmighty roar
Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon,
God help me, he was going home in June
--I Was Only 19, Redgum
______________
Ranger Question of the Day:
Why not just buy old BMP's?
______________
As I watched it on tv somehow it really bothered me
--Bonzo Goes to Bitburg, The Ramones
Then someone yelled "Contact!" and the bloke behind me swore
We hooked in there for hours, then a Godalmighty roar
Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon,
God help me, he was going home in June
--I Was Only 19, Redgum
______________
Ranger Question of the Day:
Why not just buy old BMP's?
______________
It looks strangely like a rebirth of the old Soviet 1967-80's era BMP, a tracked tactical personnel carrier. At $13.5 billion, it is a good piece of change to upgrade and old concept.
According to the Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles (Bishop), the currently employed BMP3, a continuation of the 1 and 2 series, is the best armed ICV in the world. Russia, Cyprus, Kuwait, South Korea and UAE use the BMP3. It looks like we are reinventing the wheel.
The EFV's are also similar to the old BMD's, Airborne Combat vehicles which entered service in 1969.
In a nutshell: Why are we spending $13+ billion to develop a new fighting vehicle that replicates what the Russians had on the ground in 1967 and have been continually improving until today?
--Jim
Labels: BMP's, EFV, reinventing the wheel
posted by Lisa at 3:42 PM
5 Comments:
what would you expect from a procurement system that hasn't updated the main combat rifle in nearly 40 years?
the man who developed the M16 has a new weapon called "the ultra" which is one of the most devasting units in the history of small arms. he's selling to the belgians, the dutch and the germans. (the belgians and the germans are no slouches when it comes to weapon design themselves)
MB,
i'm sure that Nato members also have new fv's on the ground. jim
Uh, Ranger, BMP ain't going to do what this beast is supposed to do. This is the replacement for the AAV, Amphibious Assault Vehicle, known during development as the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle. This hog is designed to be dropped over the horizon and carry 30 Marines.
Now, the wisdom of developing a new amphibious vehicle when the last amphibious assault was at Inchon is open to question. Ever hear the story about how Schwartzkopf rained on the Marines' parade when they wanted to storm the beaches during the Gulf War? Stormin' Norman gently reminded them that there were just a few too many mines present. They never got over it.
Remind me someday and I'll tell you why we have a BFV (M2) vice APC (M113). Hint: the BMP is involved. Ask some allied nations sometime why they wouldn't buy the Bradley. Hint: has to do with infantry doctrine.
Correction to my last post. Man, they've downsized the hell out of this thing. It used to be much bigger. I guess now it won't carry but about a squad+.
publius, my readings indicate that the bmp3 is a advanced fighting vehicle that is actually on the ground and works well.
indeed what is doctrine?isn't it the opinion of the senior man present? jim
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