NOTE: I'm going to give quick and dirty reasons why the current AAV-7A1 just isn't good enough. First up. Interiors.
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| Note There is usually a bench down the center of the vehicle to provide additional seating. You're seeing the "Hollywood" version here---its shown to the public and dignitaries to give the illusion that the vehicles are big and roomy and comfortable for the Marines that have to ride in them. |
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AAV interior.
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| Lockheed Martin Havoc interior. |
Yeah. Guess which one protects better against blasts--will deliver its passengers to the objective in better shape to fight....
Q. How many Marines can fit into an AAV? A. 1 more
ReplyDeletewell that's one thing that we're going to have to come to grips with. in case a vehicle is hit by an ied how many Marines can you have inside? will you have so many that escape in case of fire and damage to the rear hatch is impossible?
Deletethis is turning into a wasted opportunity to have an adult conversation about how we transport our infantry.
It comes down to the tug-of-war between mission requirements (how many grunts can we get to the fight and how fast) and safety. Whether or not the Marine Corps has the forethought to see that is a whole other ball game. We know that the F-35 is important to the Marine Corps, but is aviation support of the infantry more important than supporting the infantry by getting them to shore quickly, efficiently and safely (safe is a relative term). (I apologize if that seems slightly stream-of-thought)
ReplyDeleteno you're spot on. 100 percent correct. if we decide that the F-35 is a must have. if we decide that over the horizon is important. then we have to come to the realization that the tech is there but the budget isn't. if it was then we would have the EFV now. having said that the next issue is what do we get. the SUPERAV and HAVOC have demonstrated that they can handle surf, they can both swim. so we take the birds in hand that we have and move forward. but no one at HQMC wants to give the guy in the big chair the news that hey. we need a decision and the vacillation is not becoming of a Marine. decide and move. if its wrong then readjust but make a damn decision!
DeleteIt seems to me (I could be completely off here) that rarely does a vehicle (or aircraft) come off the line perfect, the bradleys, strkyer (with the 105mm gun system), HMMWVs were never designed for what we use them for now (though I think we have adapted them fairly well) if anyone can remember back to the 80s the Army who was in the lead in developing the HMMWV had M113s and Bradleys to move troops around the battle space, the Marine Corps had/has AAV7s which were not built IMO to serve as an APC though that is how most RCTs and MEUs use them. Adapt or die
ReplyDeleteI think its a much more complicated question, because it strikes at the very core of what the Marines are for.
ReplyDeleteAre they raiders who strike where the enemy isnt and burn his capital to the ground behind him?
Or are they armed police who patrol roads, roads laced with IEDs?
Because those tasks are as different as taking a bus to work and taking a Soyez.
Raiders dont care about mines, because they are in and out before they can be lain.
Police do care about mines, because they drive the same roads day in day out
Agreed, the legacy is a bit basic and provide limited 'comfort' however it seems a lot more flexible once the Marines are ashore and it may be used as a ship to shore 'truck' to re-supply the guys on the beach, and taking wounded off the beach on stretchers, etc. under fire.
ReplyDeleteSo what's the interior dimensions of the AAV vs. the Havoc - would the Havoc's seating style fit into the AAV, possible on a frame that slotted in/out as needed through the large almost full width rear door?