And because of that fact its also the canary in the coal mine when it comes to upcoming procurement trends.
If the Marine Corps is able to move ahead with selection, and then production of this vehicle then we can expect a moderate yet still painful---but at least planned budget reduction.
If we see the testing and selection of this vehicle delayed in the next few months (I'd say if we get word of a delay in either testing or selection by May) then we are up for nothing but pain.
If its the worse case scenario and the MPC is delayed and production moved to beyond 2020, then expect for the JLTV, Ground Combat Vehicle and other ground programs to be in serious jeopardy. Even worse though is the knock on effect it will have with our European partners. If the US signals a large reduction in defense spending then you can bet your last dollar that European countries will follow suit.
Its hard to tell what our Pacific partners will do...Japan, S. Korea, Singapore and others are all talking about increasing defense spending. All that is dependent on the economy and if the Democrats or Republicans misplay the fiscal cliff then even that could be doomed...even with a China threat.
From now till May. The next few months will tell the story.
