ARMY REJECTS SYSTEM WHICH WILL PROTECT GIs FROM RPGs

[JohnWxy]

System is 98% effective, but Army isn't awarding conract to Israeli firm to wait for Raytheon to learn how to make one.

How much did Raytheon give to various Repubs for this favor?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2816011

[EFerrari]

1. And it will take FIVE YEARS for Raytheon to develop their system!

:nuke:

[vincent_vega_lives]

2. RPG's are not the primary threat in Iraq

Or Afghanistan for that matter. IEDs are, and this is just and expensive piece of gold plating which is usless against that threat. RPGs mean the enemy has to actualy engage US forces with direct fire, which place them at a disadvantage. Heavy tanks don't really need this, and it wouldn't be cost effective to put on thousands of light-armored vehicles like Humvees. Now if the insurgents get Kornet-E's, like the ones used in Lebanon against the IDF...

That said it looks like another case of NMH (Not Made Here) syndrome that plagues material acquisitions.

[JohnWxy]

4. How many deaths are tolerable enough to wait 5 yrs for Raytheon to TRY

to come up with something which might be comparable.

[European Socialist]

3. Israel's clout vs. U.S. military pork--This is one for the ages. Too bad

both sides can't lose.