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.