June 12,2008:
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
involve lots of driving, much more than military vehicles would get in
peacetime. This means stuff wears out earlier, and has to be replaced. Thus
this year, the U.S. Army is buying 127 Stryker wheeled armored vehicles, for
about $7.9 million each. Trucks are taking a real beating, so 2,862 (FMTV
(Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles)
trucks were bought. Several models are involved (both 2.5 and 5 ton
class), and average cost will be $290,000 each. The workhorse vehicle for the
troops is the hummer (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, or HMWVV), and
3,268 are on order, costing about $183,000 each.
Some of
the heavier vehicles, like M-1 tanks, don't roll as much in Iraq any more, and
are not worn down as much when they do. But the tanks do have one vulnerable
(to wear and tear) component, and that's the engine. So 1,037 new engines are
being bought, for about $180,000 each. These are jet engines, or gas turbines,
and are rebuilt, as well as replaced. But eventually they wear out, and new
ones are needed.