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2005-08-31 Home Front: Tech

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Posted by Steve 2005-08-31 09:26|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I wouldn't believe that the armor would be removed--it has proven to be too useful. The alternative would be to modify the design to use lighter production armor as an integrated add-on.

That is, the entire philosophy of the Humvee has been the numerous configurations the vehicle can be modified to--a very versitile vehicle indeed. So with a minor modification, female bolt holes could be integrated into its frame for attaching standardized armor plate, and quickly. The armor itself would not be steel, but light plastics as is used in body armor.

The armor itself could be of several interchangeable types, depending on need. Undercarriage armor, side armor, front armor like a convex bulldozer blade, wide side panels to be used by escort infantry at low speed, even roof armor for use in urban areas. The armor could be somewhat aerodynamic, for high speed, or it could be distanced from the vehicle.

Armor technology is improving so much that it will soon make a reappearance on the battlefield. Things such as individual infantryman shields, from a rifle face shield to riot-shield size, have innumerable value in an urban combat situation.

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-08-31 10:30|| 2005-08-31 10:30|| Front Page Top

#2 I think if the vulnerability of the vehicle has been illustrated to our enemies, then they will exploit it in future conflicts. The vehicle's flat bottom is a serious weakness and is one that a true replacement vehicle will address. Mines or IED's are not going to go away.

Posted by remoteman 2005-08-31 12:31|| 2005-08-31 12:31|| Front Page Top

#3 As to the fuel economy of the vehicle. As HYbrids get more widespread and integrated into the civilian market up to and including the truck market these systems will find their way into the military. In most instances just how much horsepower does a Humvee need. Not the BHP the current engine produces which I believe is based on the 6.9L GM deisel v-8. A switch over to a basic electric drive with the deisel running a DC or AC generator that can supply the drive motor with extra power at high speeds might be useful. Such an engine would then be able to be a smaller displacement 4 cylinder. On advantage of such a drive system in built up areas is the electric drive would be quieter. Armoring a new generation of Humvee's is valuable up to a certain point. In the war between warhead and armor in the end the warhead or weapons system always wins. At what point does the total cost of the armor package become self defeating. And at what point does a more capable vehicle such as a wheeled AFV make more sense. But the basic Humvee concept will be with us for quite awhile yet. The versitility of the basic chassis has shown itself to be one of the strong points.

Posted by Cheaderhead 2005-08-31 13:05|| 2005-08-31 13:05|| Front Page Top

#4 Only idiots can imagine a war without IEDS. Humvee are a liability. There are already many veichles in the market better against IEDs. But the corrupted, slow, beaurocratic Pentagon procurement system probably will save the Humvee.

Posted by Hupomoque Spoluter7949 2005-08-31 14:55|| 2005-08-31 14:55|| Front Page Top

#5 Was the HummVee originally designed has an assault vehicle or ordinary transportation - something like an upscale jeep? BTW how come our tractor trailers aren't heavily armoured? And psst, water carriers are thin skinned, let's pin the blame on someone and make hay.

Posted by Shipman 2005-08-31 16:03|| 2005-08-31 16:03|| Front Page Top

#6 Will the Humvee Survive Iraq?

Without a doubt. Civilians love them.

Posted by Red Dog 2005-08-31 16:11|| 2005-08-31 16:11|| Front Page Top

#7 Could you spend a lot of money replacing the HMMV with a light APC of some kind (which the author seems to be suggesting without really realizing it)? Possibly, if you were willing to spend more money for something that hauled less people (and tore the roads up as well).

Would this armored light vehicle (and its crew) still be vulnerable to IED's in spite off all the extra spending? Probably so. Real tanks and APC's are still vulnerable anyway...

Posted by Abdominal_Snowman 2005-08-31 18:33|| 2005-08-31 18:33|| Front Page Top

#8 Seen a couple of Discovery chanel docus concerning this.It will be a few years yet but high-bred diseal electrics are where they are headed.

Posted by raptor 2005-08-31 18:58|| 2005-08-31 18:58|| Front Page Top

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