Next, lets look at the contenders for the contract...
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| Polaris DAGR |
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| Boeing Phantom Badger |
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| General Dynamics Flyer 72 |
So now we know what and who the ULCV is designed for, but the short document also has several highlights that are of importance...
* The vehicle is being designed specifically for the 82nd and 101st.
* We can assume that the selected vehicle will see widespread use among all the Combat Aviation Brigades.
* Mobility for Airborne and Air Assault operations has been ill served by the heavier HMMWV and projected (although I still believe it will be canceled) JLTV.
The real play here?
The US Army is attempting to make the Global Reaction Force more competitive. The Army is playing for keeps. What is the biggest criticism of Airborne forces once they leave the drop zone? They lack mobility...even against rebels in technicals.
Show your age.
How many of you remember the once in vogue Pentagon term "out of area operations"?
That's what the Army is trying to reclaim. The expeditionary pieces are falling into place. The heavy mech is already covered. The old out of area operations is the final piece of the puzzle.
The USMC better be aware. They're not drinking our milkshake (yet) but they have a straw out.
Sidenote: The great that come out of this is that the Marine Corps will soon be looking for a replacement for the Internally Carried Vehicle. It would be awesome if we could piggy back off this development...I know the Phantom Badger is internally carriable by the V-22
Sidenote 1: We see the vehicles. We know who they're intended to go to. What we don't know is the concept that they're being developed to fill. Airborne troops don't normally drop into an area to conduct a raid and then drive out...not normally anyway. SO WHAT IS THE THINKING BEHIND THIS? The Army doesn't like talking to me but I'll shoot an e-mail to the Maneuver Center to see if they'll fill in the holes.
