Friday, November 30, 2007 4:23:14 AM
WASHINGTON - The Marines plan to buy fewer bomb-resistant vehicles than planned despite pressure from lawmakers who are determined to spend billions of dollars on the vehicles.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Marine Corps' requirement for mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles would drop from the planned 3,700 to about 2,400, The Associated Press has learned. The Marines would not comment on the decision, but defense officials confirmed the cut. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced.
About a month ago, Marine Commandant Gen. T. James Conway signaled the possibility of a new examination of the commitment to the vehicles, saying he was concerned his force was getting too heavy. "I'm a little bit concerned about us keeping our expeditionary flavor," he said.
At the same time, an independent study by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments in Washington questioned whether the Pentagon was buying too many of the pricey vehicles, which can cost as much as $1 million each. The study found that in some cases, the heavily armored vehicles, with their bomb-deflecting V-shaped hulls, might not be the answer that many believe they are.
Military officials and other experts have said that while the vehicles, known as MRAPs, are lifesavers in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are not as useful or mobile in some terrain.
The Marine Corps was criticized this year for not responding quickly enough to urgent requests for the vehicles from troops in Iraq. In May, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the vehicles were the military's highest priority acquisition program.
In his comments last month, Conway said the Marine Corps has emerged as a "second land Army," assigned to secure Iraq, and must buy heavy equipment, including the mine-resistant vehicles, for protection against roadside bombs.
"Can I give a satisfactory answer to what we're going to be doing with those things in five or 10 years? Probably not," Conway said at an event sponsored by the Center for a New American Security. "Wrap them in shrink wrap and put them in asphalt somewhere is about the best thing that we can describe at this point. And as expensive as they are, that is probably not a good use of the taxpayers money."
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill, buoyed by the vehicle's solid record — to date no troops have died in one — have consistently said the military must buy more and must buy them faster.
Recent FRPT News
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 06/05/2024 08:05:15 PM
- UPDATE - Freshpet, Inc. to Participate in the Deutsche Bank Global Consumer Conference • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 05/29/2024 09:30:17 PM
- Freshpet, Inc. to Participate in the Deutsche Bank Global Consumer Conference • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 05/21/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/16/2024 08:07:09 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/10/2024 09:07:56 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/10/2024 08:17:26 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/08/2024 02:46:26 PM
- Form 10-Q - Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/06/2024 08:08:17 PM
- Index Futures Point to Strong Monday Opening, Building on Last Week’s Gains; Oil Prices Rise • IH Market News • 05/06/2024 12:09:15 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/06/2024 10:30:26 AM
- Freshpet, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 05/06/2024 10:30:00 AM
- Freshpet, Inc. to Report First Quarter 2024 Results on Monday, May 6, 2024 • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/16/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Freshpet and Global Superstar Meghan Trainor Announce Partnership on National Pet Day • PR Newswire (US) • 04/11/2024 01:30:00 PM
- Freshpet Announces Updates to its Board of Directors • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/10/2024 08:05:00 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/05/2024 12:35:55 AM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/04/2024 06:12:52 PM
- Form 4 - Statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 03/01/2024 12:46:08 AM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/28/2024 10:22:45 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/28/2024 04:12:02 PM
- Form 10-K - Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/26/2024 09:54:13 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/26/2024 11:30:18 AM
- Freshpet, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 02/26/2024 11:30:00 AM
- U.S. Index Futures Dip Amid Inflation Data Anticipation, Oil and Iron Ore Prices Retreat • IH Market News • 02/26/2024 10:57:28 AM
- Form SC 13G - Statement of acquisition of beneficial ownership by individuals • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/12/2024 10:55:55 PM
- Freshpet, Inc. to Report Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Results on Monday, February 26, 2024 • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 02/05/2024 01:00:00 PM
Cannabix Technologies and Omega Laboratories Inc. Provide Positive Developments on Marijuana Breathalyzer Testing • BLO • Jul 11, 2024 8:21 AM
ECGI Holdings Enhances Board with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Expert Ahead of Allon Apparel Launch • ECGI • Jul 10, 2024 8:30 AM
Avant Technologies to Meet Unmet Needs in AI Industry While Addressing Sustainability Concerns • AVAI • Jul 10, 2024 8:00 AM
Panther Minerals Inc. Launches Investor Connect AI Chatbot for Enhanced Investor Engagement and Lead Generation • PURR • Jul 9, 2024 9:00 AM
Glidelogic Corp. Becomes TikTok Shop Partner, Opening a New Chapter in E-commerce Services • GDLG • Jul 5, 2024 7:09 AM
Freedom Holdings Corporate Update; Announces Management Has Signed Letter of Intent • FHLD • Jul 3, 2024 9:00 AM