Take a good look at the pics above. What you're looking at is the interior of the AAV. Make note too that old skool vehicles even had a "row" between the exterior seating to jam even more Marines inside the vehicle.
For the devil pups out there, this is why your Drill Instructors always pushed as many of you into as tight a space as possible. I've heard, and definitely don't know if its true but supposedly upwards of 50 people were transported in these vehicles in emergency situations.
But back on task. Did you notice something else? The current seating is totally inadequate when it comes to dealing with current threats. Yeah it has add on side armor but do you see a spall lining in these vehicles? Talking about seating, you don't see seats suspended from the ceiling that would help lessen G-forces in case of an IED blast. You don't see designed storage.
What you do see is a vehicle that was designed in the 1960's with that generations design concepts.
Driving a 1960 Mustang might be awesome as hell (especially if its cherry....) but when you do that with armored vehicles its something else entirely. Now check out the pics below.
Thats the interior of the FNSS Pars 8x8 recently put into service for the Malaysian Army.
Notice the difference?
Yeah.
Replacing Marine Corps armor is a big deal and long past due. I want the Marine Corps to be cost effective for the United States people, but at the same time I want our Marines to have the tools they need to win.
If tiny, backwards Malaysia can see the need to upgrade their armored forces then why can't the USMC?
Note: I'm getting the impression that the MPC/ACV decision is once again being kicked down the road. Meanwhile we also have the AAV upgrade in limbo. Marines are facing the prospect of once again utilizing MTVRs as infantry carriers if they go ashore. That's unsat.
