An M1 Abrams tank cost

[catmandu57]

4,300,000 according to http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/landm1.htm An Apache helicopter will set you back either 16 million http://www.antiwar.comapache/.html or over 56 million if you go by http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Apachehelicopter.
I haven't been able to come up with the unit cost of humvees and heavy trucks that are regularly targeted in Iraq.
The CBO is estimating the war costing 6-9 billion PER MONTH. It's not going to take long to run through that 87 billion, especially if the iraqis become proficient at taking out tanks and helicopters.

Another problem, that's been discussed before but is worth mentioning again, the military's hardware is wearing out. They didn't bring enough spare parts to begin with, and it's an awfully long supply line.

So it may be six months or sooner and the military will either be ready to mutiny, or turn into the Roman army and get really mean, but either way it's not going to take long to run through the money.

[NNN0LHI]

1. "if the iraqis become proficient at taking out tanks and helicopters"?

There is no "if" about it. They will become proficient. Its not going to be very pretty.

Don

[RobertSeattle]

2. Not sure if losing equipment is part of the War's "cost"

With the downsizing of the Army, there are plenty of "spare" M-1s in depots - I bet likewise for Hummwvs.

(Heck if necesassy I'll go strip parts from the local neighborhood wannabe with a Hummer...)

I think the "basic" Humvee is about $50K, but there are all kinds of variants and I think they are retrofitting most of the Iraq ones to have light armor.

[NewJeffCT]

3. You forget

That this is the Army. If I can go into my local dealer and get a Hummer for $60K, it means that the military would likely shell out $600K. ;=)

[bif]

4. This is target practice time, baby!

They're only going to get better.