USMC budget request is out and my confusion intensifies...

Marine Corps budget would add range, lethality to Force Design tools https://t.co/I2RxxBukpn

— Solomon (@SnafuBlogspot) March 13, 2024

Ok. Don't get this. Yeah I'm still harping on the ACV buy. THAT DOES NOT FIT WITH FD2030! Now they're buying a whole batch of upgunned versions? I really don't understand. Additionally (I didn't post it...you can read it here) they want to add a cannon to the recon vehicle they're buying!

That thing is gonna need a trailer!  Its gonna have a gun, launch loitering missiles, have communications that rival a command vehicle AND they're primes are both sporting masts on them!

With a rig that was supposed to be about the size of the legacy LAV, its gotta be approaching ACV or bigger with everything planned.

But that's besides the point.

A stand in force that relies on stealth and uses the ocean as its maneuver space (to such an extent that its asking the Navy for a new ship to get them around even in this time of tight budgets) has tossed away tanks but is switching to what amounts to IFVs?

For what purpose?

We've seen the SIF being touted as being viable from the Pacific to Northern Europe and I would assume if that's the case then they're probably convinced that the recon/counter recon mission is gonna be good for the Middle East & Africa too.

SO WHY ARE THEY PUSHING AHEAD WITH THE ACV AND ARV...ESPECIALLY UPGUNNED VERSIONS!

PS.  It was supposed to be out by now but I'm still waiting to see what this new, better, more capable MEU looks like.