There is a system for defending troops against RPGs (Rocket-Propelled Grenades), but we won't buy it

[thewayne]

Yet another case of NIH (Not Invented Here). Well, that's not true, it's a case of "there's no money in it for American defense contractors and we have political connections!"

This thing shoots down RPG rounds before they hit the vehicle. Developed by an Israeli defense maker, it has a "well over 90%" success rate in 400 tests. American tests showed 98% success in 30 tests. We've lost almost 200 soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq due to RPG fire. But we won't buy this system because the Made In America system won't be available for another six years if we're lucky and is being developed by a program that is notorious for cost overruns. The Israile system can cost upwards of $400,000 per vehicle, I think the Pentagon thinks the price tag is too low.

So now we have a price on how much a soldier and military vehicles are worth. Granted, we cannot deploy these on every vehicle to eliminate all RPG threats, but we could certainly deploy them in high-threat areas.

*sigh*

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14686871/page/1

(edited to spell out RPG)

Comments

[silveradept]

Isn't it nice to know that the people who are theoretically in charge of this mess are most definitely not looking out for the lives of the people under their command?

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

That's been obvious for far too long a time. They want political power, they don't care about monetary or human costs: those are just consumables.

[apostate-96.livejournal.com]

Who says you can't put a price on human life? We're certainly seeing yet another example of it being done....and by the (supposed) good guys!

That is utter bullshit that they'd try to quash a system that apparently works really well so they could go develop their own. If they had a good system already up and working that could be good to go in 30 or 60 days, it'd be another matter entirely. But failing to provide American military with the best possible equipment to help them survive engagements is just fucking ridiculous.....especially when the money they want to play with is plenty to pick up a bunch of the Trophy systems.

I can't help thinking the assholes who nixed it should be lashed to the tops of Tanks or Hummers with tennis raquets to deal with RPG's while their researchers develop the new system!

[cteare.livejournal.com]

I've been on the internet too long RPG has a completely different meaning.

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

LOL. Yep, rocket propelled grenade or role playing game, take yer pick. For me, I was a military and gun nut growing up, plus getting into games back in the mid 70's, they're both significant acronyms to me!

[cteare.livejournal.com]

RPG games weren't all that common where I grew up. I didn't discover them until the internet.

I've never really been that into guns. I know how to shoot them, but I'd really rather spend my time on the archery range than the shooting range. I don't really like a lot of loud noises.

[donkey-hokey.livejournal.com]

This sucks, but it's not surprising, in light of what the govt's been doing to the VA.

And yeah.. RPG means something different to me too. I have to stop and think about the context, otherwise I get this visual of the enemy lobbing 3rd ed rulebooks at our troops.