That things in my opinion stand where they did 6 months ago. The leaders are still the leaders and it still looks like a two vehicle race.The BAE SuperAV versus the Lockheed Martin Havoc.
The major fly in the ointment is tossed in courtesy of the US Marine Corps and continued vacillation when it comes to the Amphibious Vehicle/AAV Upgrade programs. My suspicion is that the Marine Corps is tempted by the thought of getting a 'good enough' upgrade of the AAV that will supposedly solve the lift problem. No matter how good it might be my mind will always flash to the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. Truck bound Marines struggling to keep up with mechanized Army divisions is nothing that I would want future Marines saddled with. The idea of a good enough upgraded AAV might tickle the accountants fancy but the idea of Marines being killed in the back of MTVRs should chill them at the same time.
There is of course another factor that should be taken into account. A vehicle neckdown strategy. If the Marine Corps could neckdown to one combat vehicle that was able to fulfill a variety of roles then training, maintenance and logistics should be simplified enough to make a huge difference.
I'll ask again. Should the Marine Corps consider an all wheeled force based off the MPC winner?
