±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: HighestAce
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6648

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 698
Total: 698
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Photo Gallery
03: Home
04: Photo Gallery
05: Home
06: Community Forums
07: Photo Gallery
08: Home
09: Home
10: Member Screenshots
11: Community Forums
12: Home
13: Community Forums
14: Home
15: Member Screenshots
16: Community Forums
17: Community Forums
18: Community Forums
19: Community Forums
20: Community Forums
21: Home
22: Member Screenshots
23: Community Forums
24: News Archive
25: Downloads
26: Photo Gallery
27: Photo Gallery
28: Community Forums
29: Community Forums
30: Photo Gallery
31: Community Forums
32: Member Screenshots
33: Home
34: Community Forums
35: Home
36: Home
37: Home
38: Your Account
39: Downloads
40: Home
41: Downloads
42: Community Forums
43: Community Forums
44: Member Screenshots
45: Member Screenshots
46: Community Forums
47: Community Forums
48: Community Forums
49: Community Forums
50: Your Account
51: Home
52: Member Screenshots
53: Community Forums
54: Community Forums
55: Community Forums
56: Community Forums
57: Community Forums
58: Community Forums
59: Community Forums
60: Photo Gallery
61: Member Screenshots
62: News Archive
63: Downloads
64: Member Screenshots
65: Community Forums
66: Community Forums
67: News Archive
68: Community Forums
69: Downloads
70: Photo Gallery
71: Photo Gallery
72: Member Screenshots
73: Community Forums
74: Community Forums
75: Community Forums
76: Community Forums
77: Community Forums
78: Community Forums
79: Community Forums
80: Community Forums
81: Community Forums
82: Community Forums
83: News
84: Photo Gallery
85: Community Forums
86: Photo Gallery
87: Community Forums
88: Photo Gallery
89: Photo Gallery
90: Community Forums
91: Community Forums
92: Community Forums
93: Photo Gallery
94: Community Forums
95: Community Forums
96: Photo Gallery
97: Downloads
98: Community Forums
99: Community Forums
100: Community Forums
101: Downloads
102: Member Screenshots
103: Member Screenshots
104: Community Forums
105: Home
106: Community Forums
107: Community Forums
108: News Archive
109: Downloads
110: Community Forums
111: Community Forums
112: Community Forums
113: Community Forums
114: Community Forums
115: Community Forums
116: Community Forums
117: Member Screenshots
118: Community Forums
119: Community Forums
120: Community Forums
121: Member Screenshots
122: Community Forums
123: Community Forums
124: Member Screenshots
125: Community Forums
126: Community Forums
127: Member Screenshots
128: Photo Gallery
129: Member Screenshots
130: News
131: Member Screenshots
132: Member Screenshots
133: Member Screenshots
134: Downloads
135: Community Forums
136: Member Screenshots
137: Community Forums
138: Home
139: Member Screenshots
140: Home
141: Community Forums
142: Member Screenshots
143: Home
144: News Archive
145: Home
146: News Archive
147: Home
148: Community Forums
149: Member Screenshots
150: Community Forums
151: Community Forums
152: Community Forums
153: Photo Gallery
154: News Archive
155: Community Forums
156: News Archive
157: Member Screenshots
158: Home
159: Community Forums
160: Community Forums
161: Community Forums
162: Community Forums
163: Community Forums
164: Community Forums
165: Community Forums
166: Community Forums
167: Community Forums
168: Community Forums
169: Community Forums
170: Community Forums
171: Home
172: Photo Gallery
173: Home
174: Home
175: Downloads
176: Community Forums
177: Home
178: Your Account
179: News Archive
180: Home
181: Community Forums
182: Community Forums
183: Community Forums
184: News Archive
185: Community Forums
186: Community Forums
187: News Archive
188: Community Forums
189: Community Forums
190: Community Forums
191: Community Forums
192: Community Forums
193: Community Forums
194: Home
195: Community Forums
196: Community Forums
197: Community Forums
198: Member Screenshots
199: Community Forums
200: News Archive
201: Community Forums
202: Home
203: Community Forums
204: Member Screenshots
205: News Archive
206: Community Forums
207: Photo Gallery
208: Downloads
209: Member Screenshots
210: Community Forums
211: Member Screenshots
212: Member Screenshots
213: Home
214: Downloads
215: Home
216: Home
217: Home
218: Home
219: Community Forums
220: Home
221: News Archive
222: Downloads
223: Member Screenshots
224: Home
225: Home
226: Community Forums
227: Member Screenshots
228: Contact
229: Photo Gallery
230: Member Screenshots
231: Member Screenshots
232: Community Forums
233: Community Forums
234: Community Forums
235: Community Forums
236: Community Forums
237: News Archive
238: Member Screenshots
239: Community Forums
240: Photo Gallery
241: Photo Gallery
242: Photo Gallery
243: Community Forums
244: Photo Gallery
245: Community Forums
246: Community Forums
247: Photo Gallery
248: Community Forums
249: Home
250: Photo Gallery
251: Home
252: Community Forums
253: Community Forums
254: Photo Gallery
255: Photo Gallery
256: Home
257: Community Forums
258: Community Forums
259: Home
260: Community Forums
261: Home
262: Community Forums
263: Community Forums
264: Home
265: Community Forums
266: Community Forums
267: Member Screenshots
268: Downloads
269: Member Screenshots
270: Downloads
271: Community Forums
272: Community Forums
273: Community Forums
274: Member Screenshots
275: Community Forums
276: Downloads
277: Downloads
278: Community Forums
279: Photo Gallery
280: Downloads
281: Member Screenshots
282: Community Forums
283: Member Screenshots
284: Community Forums
285: Downloads
286: News Archive
287: Community Forums
288: Member Screenshots
289: Community Forums
290: Community Forums
291: Home
292: Photo Gallery
293: Community Forums
294: Member Screenshots
295: Downloads
296: Community Forums
297: Home
298: News
299: Downloads
300: Community Forums
301: Community Forums
302: Photo Gallery
303: Home
304: Home
305: Community Forums
306: Downloads
307: Photo Gallery
308: Home
309: Community Forums
310: Home
311: Home
312: Photo Gallery
313: Photo Gallery
314: Community Forums
315: Community Forums
316: Photo Gallery
317: Statistics
318: Member Screenshots
319: News Archive
320: Community Forums
321: Community Forums
322: Community Forums
323: Community Forums
324: Downloads
325: Community Forums
326: Home
327: Home
328: Member Screenshots
329: Photo Gallery
330: Community Forums
331: Home
332: Community Forums
333: Community Forums
334: Statistics
335: Downloads
336: Home
337: Community Forums
338: Downloads
339: Home
340: Home
341: Community Forums
342: Statistics
343: Home
344: Home
345: Community Forums
346: Community Forums
347: Community Forums
348: Home
349: News
350: Home
351: Community Forums
352: Community Forums
353: Photo Gallery
354: Home
355: Community Forums
356: Community Forums
357: Member Screenshots
358: Photo Gallery
359: Statistics
360: Community Forums
361: Community Forums
362: Photo Gallery
363: Community Forums
364: Downloads
365: Statistics
366: Community Forums
367: Community Forums
368: Community Forums
369: Community Forums
370: Photo Gallery
371: Community Forums
372: Member Screenshots
373: Community Forums
374: Community Forums
375: Community Forums
376: Photo Gallery
377: Community Forums
378: Photo Gallery
379: Community Forums
380: Community Forums
381: Photo Gallery
382: Home
383: Community Forums
384: Downloads
385: Community Forums
386: Community Forums
387: News
388: Home
389: Home
390: Home
391: Photo Gallery
392: Community Forums
393: Home
394: Home
395: Photo Gallery
396: News
397: Community Forums
398: Community Forums
399: Downloads
400: Community Forums
401: Home
402: Community Forums
403: Statistics
404: Community Forums
405: Community Forums
406: Community Forums
407: Member Screenshots
408: Community Forums
409: News Archive
410: Community Forums
411: Community Forums
412: Community Forums
413: Member Screenshots
414: Community Forums
415: News Archive
416: Community Forums
417: Community Forums
418: Member Screenshots
419: Community Forums
420: Member Screenshots
421: Community Forums
422: Community Forums
423: Community Forums
424: Member Screenshots
425: Home
426: Community Forums
427: Community Forums
428: Downloads
429: Home
430: Community Forums
431: Community Forums
432: Home
433: Member Screenshots
434: Community Forums
435: Community Forums
436: Member Screenshots
437: Photo Gallery
438: Member Screenshots
439: Member Screenshots
440: Community Forums
441: Community Forums
442: Community Forums
443: Community Forums
444: Community Forums
445: Member Screenshots
446: Member Screenshots
447: Community Forums
448: Member Screenshots
449: Community Forums
450: News Archive
451: Home
452: Home
453: Community Forums
454: Community Forums
455: Community Forums
456: Community Forums
457: Community Forums
458: Community Forums
459: Community Forums
460: Community Forums
461: Community Forums
462: Photo Gallery
463: Downloads
464: Community Forums
465: Community Forums
466: Community Forums
467: Community Forums
468: Member Screenshots
469: Community Forums
470: Community Forums
471: News Archive
472: Photo Gallery
473: News Archive
474: News Archive
475: News
476: Home
477: Your Account
478: Member Screenshots
479: Community Forums
480: Community Forums
481: Community Forums
482: Community Forums
483: Community Forums
484: Community Forums
485: Community Forums
486: Community Forums
487: Community Forums
488: Community Forums
489: Community Forums
490: Community Forums
491: Photo Gallery
492: Community Forums
493: Community Forums
494: Downloads
495: Photo Gallery
496: Community Forums
497: News Archive
498: Downloads
499: News Archive
500: Community Forums
501: Photo Gallery
502: Member Screenshots
503: Community Forums
504: Photo Gallery
505: Community Forums
506: Supporters
507: Photo Gallery
508: News
509: Community Forums
510: Community Forums
511: Community Forums
512: Photo Gallery
513: Community Forums
514: Member Screenshots
515: Community Forums
516: Community Forums
517: News Archive
518: Member Screenshots
519: Member Screenshots
520: Community Forums
521: Community Forums
522: Home
523: Community Forums
524: Community Forums
525: Member Screenshots
526: Community Forums
527: Community Forums
528: Community Forums
529: News Archive
530: Photo Gallery
531: Photo Gallery
532: Community Forums
533: Community Forums
534: Photo Gallery
535: Community Forums
536: Community Forums
537: Home
538: Member Screenshots
539: Member Screenshots
540: Home
541: Community Forums
542: Home
543: Community Forums
544: Community Forums
545: Community Forums
546: Photo Gallery
547: Home
548: Home
549: Community Forums
550: Home
551: Member Screenshots
552: Community Forums
553: Home
554: Member Screenshots
555: Community Forums
556: Home
557: Home
558: Community Forums
559: Member Screenshots
560: Member Screenshots
561: Community Forums
562: Community Forums
563: Community Forums
564: Photo Gallery
565: Community Forums
566: Community Forums
567: Photo Gallery
568: Home
569: Member Screenshots
570: Community Forums
571: Community Forums
572: Community Forums
573: Community Forums
574: Community Forums
575: Community Forums
576: Community Forums
577: Community Forums
578: Community Forums
579: Member Screenshots
580: Community Forums
581: News Archive
582: Downloads
583: Community Forums
584: Community Forums
585: Downloads
586: Statistics
587: Home
588: Downloads
589: Community Forums
590: Home
591: Community Forums
592: Downloads
593: Home
594: Community Forums
595: Home
596: Home
597: Community Forums
598: News
599: News Archive
600: Photo Gallery
601: Community Forums
602: Photo Gallery
603: Community Forums
604: Home
605: Photo Gallery
606: Downloads
607: Community Forums
608: Member Screenshots
609: Member Screenshots
610: Community Forums
611: Member Screenshots
612: News Archive
613: Community Forums
614: Member Screenshots
615: Community Forums
616: Home
617: Community Forums
618: Community Forums
619: Community Forums
620: Community Forums
621: Community Forums
622: Community Forums
623: Community Forums
624: Community Forums
625: Statistics
626: Community Forums
627: Downloads
628: Home
629: Community Forums
630: Photo Gallery
631: Photo Gallery
632: Photo Gallery
633: Home
634: Community Forums
635: Community Forums
636: Community Forums
637: Tell a Friend
638: Community Forums
639: Community Forums
640: Community Forums
641: Community Forums
642: Community Forums
643: Home
644: Community Forums
645: Your Account
646: Community Forums
647: Member Screenshots
648: Home
649: Home
650: Home
651: Home
652: Home
653: Home
654: Photo Gallery
655: Home
656: Community Forums
657: Member Screenshots
658: Community Forums
659: Member Screenshots
660: Statistics
661: News Archive
662: Community Forums
663: Community Forums
664: Community Forums
665: Community Forums
666: Statistics
667: Community Forums
668: Contact
669: Photo Gallery
670: Photo Gallery
671: Community Forums
672: Your Account
673: Community Forums
674: Community Forums
675: Community Forums
676: Member Screenshots
677: News Archive
678: Photo Gallery
679: News Archive
680: Member Screenshots
681: Community Forums
682: News Archive
683: Photo Gallery
684: Downloads
685: Community Forums
686: Community Forums
687: Home
688: Community Forums
689: Community Forums
690: Home
691: Statistics
692: Community Forums
693: Home
694: Downloads
695: Downloads
696: News
697: Community Forums
698: Photo Gallery

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
M104 Wolverine at Ft Hood...
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:51 am
Post subject: M104 Wolverine at Ft Hood...

I dont just post rare old armor, I post rare "new" armor as well! Per the article below, there are only 44 of these in the U.S. inventory. There were these 6 in the 36th ENG BDE, 4th ID motor pool and 6 more in a motorpool next door. When I was here in 2000 with 3-66th Armor, 4th ID, civilians brought one to our motor pool as a "demo" and it was pretty neat. Now they are actually stationed here. I haven't seen any in the 1st Cav area motor pools but I'd bet they have some too. I was in this motor pool to photograph an M4A3 that I cant seem to find a serial number for. I purchased some sandpaper this afternoon however and that serial wont be hidden long! Below is some info on the Wolverine.

The M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge is an armored combat engineering vehicle designed to provide deployable bridge capability for units engaged in military operations.

For over a quarter of a century the US Army has made use of armored bridgelaying vehicles based on the M60/M48 Patton series of tanks. In recent years, however, the Army discovered that the aging M60 AVLB (Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge) was too slow to keep up with the M1 Abrams during field maneuvers. Additionally, the M1 was so heavy that it could safely cross the AVLB's bridge only at a very slow speed.

Program development for a new armored bridgelaying vehicle began in 1983, and by 1994 General Dynamics Land Systems had been awarded a contract. The first prototype vehicles were being tested by 1996, and the first production models were delivered to the Army by 2003.

Because the Wolverine is essentially an M1A2 SEP tank with bridgelaying gear instead of a turret it shares virtually all of the parent vehicle's speed, mobility, survivability, and automotive components. This commonality was a key design factor in the Wolverine's development. The Wolverine also features an advanced communication package designed to keep it in contact with local field commanders. However, the vehicle itself is completely unarmed.

The Wolverine is operated by two crewmen who sit within the hull. Both crewmen have access to the bridging controls, while the bridge itself is carried in two sections above the hull. Once a bridging site is chosen the vehicle securely anchors itself in place with a spade. The two sections of the bridge are joined together, and then the entire bridge is extended across the obstacle and dropped into place. During launch the crewmen have the ability to make minor corrections if needed. Once operations are complete the Wolverine drives across the bridge and retrieves it from the other side simply by reversing the process. The bridge can be launched in under 5 minutes or retrieved in less than 10, all without the crewmen ever leaving the safety of their vehicle.

Once launched, the 26 meter bridge can support a 70 ton vehicle moving at 16 km/h. The Wolverine allows even the heaviest of vehicles to cross craters, ditches, and even partially damaged bridges at combat speed. This mobility is a decisive advantage for armored units.

To date the U.S. Army has received 44 Wolverines, which have been distributed to a few select engineer units. The Army had originally intended to purchase 465 vehicles, however budget cuts and the recent shift in philosophy toward a lighter fighting force have cast the future of the Wolverine program in doubt. Currently the Army does not plan to purchase any more Wolverines, but it has reserved the right to restart production in the future if necessary.

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
Maple_Leaf_Eh
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 517

PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:50 am
Post subject: Re: M104 Wolverine at Ft Hood...

"The M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge is an armored combat engineering vehicle designed to provide deployable bridge capability for units engaged in military operations.
...
However, the vehicle itself is completely unarmed."

Yikes!! That's got to change. If this is such a rare bird, the opposing forces are going to know it too. Their troops will do what they can to harass or attack it. Even a .50 in a protected remote controlled weapons pod would be an improvement over nothing.
Back to top
View user's profile
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:54 am
Post subject: Re: M104 Wolverine at Ft Hood...

I agree, I was surprised to see that it wasn't armed at all. Especially since its such a high-dollar vehicle. I wouldn't want to crew this.

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
JimWeb
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1439
Location: The back of beyond
PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:32 am
Post subject: Re: M104 Wolverine at Ft Hood...

Lets face it the M9 ACE is the same. I was amused to read in a combat report the following description of it 'one man, alone, unarmed'

Cool

_________________
TTFN
Jim

If your not a member of JED then your
not serious about anything military..

***********************
www.jedsite.info
JED Military Equipment
***********************
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website ICQ Number
Roy_A_Lingle
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas
PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:57 am
Post subject: Re: M104 Wolverine at Ft Hood...

Hi Folks!

The proto-type M-48 AVLB had two cuplo mounted M2 50 cal machine guns. The production versions didn't have them. The M-60 AVLB were also unarmed.

That vehicle should never be sent out by its self. There should be more than enough firepower around it to ensure the crew only has to work on getting the bridge down in the right spot so over vehicles can cross ASAP.

Jeff, super thanks for this set of photos. I have hopes of some day trying to scratch build a Wolverine sense none of the model companies will most likly never do one.

It is my understand that in place of buying more Wolverines, the Army funded a program to upgrade the MLC 60 bridges on the M-48/60 AVLBs to a MLC of 70. Much cheaper to buy upgraded folding bridges than rebuild a M-1 into a Wolverine.

Spot Report!
Sgt, Scouts Out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
bsmart
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 2523
Location: Central Maryland
PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:14 am
Post subject: Re: M104 Wolverine at Ft Hood...

- Roy_A_Lingle
Hi Folks!

It is my understand that in place of buying more Wolverines, the Army funded a program to upgrade the MLC 60 bridges on the M-48/60 AVLBs to a MLC of 70. Much cheaper to buy upgraded folding bridges than rebuild a M-1 into a Wolverine.

Spot Report!
Sgt, Scouts Out!


But you loose the advantage of commonality and have to continue stocking parts in the system for the older vehicles that you would not otherwise have to have.

I can see and advantage to modifying the older AVLBs in the short term but as there are extra M1 chassis in the inventory I would think that converting some to support vehicles such as AVLBs, recovery vehicles and engineering vehicles would make sense.

_________________
Bob Smart ([email protected])
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Joe_D
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 2067
Location: Razorback Country
PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:28 am
Post subject: Re: M104 Wolverine at Ft Hood...

But there is commonality with the old AVLB's, it's called the Hercules M88A2 and they have a very good track record. We also have plenty of M88A1's too. If you look closely at the M60 AVLB/AVLM systems they are now using M88 components when rebuilt. Much cheaper than converting old M1 hulls, Also cheaper to operate. BTW, the Wolverine uses the old M1 hull, just like the SEP's. One automotive difference is the the hydraulic pump is driven off the angle drive of the transmission and the generator was moved to the Auxillary Gear Box from what I saw in 98. What the Wolverine has is speed, but with the current fight we are in it's a moot point.

Joe D
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Roy_A_Lingle
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas
PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:57 am
Post subject: Re: M104 Wolverine at Ft Hood...

Hi Bob! Hi Folks!

- bsmart

I can see and advantage to modifying the older AVLBs in the short term but as there are extra M1 chassis in the inventory I would think that converting some to support vehicles such as AVLBs, recovery vehicles and engineering vehicles would make sense.


I have to agree with that Bob. However the problem is a lack of funds. The Wolverine and the Grizzle are programs that were cut to free up funding for the Stryker FOVs and has yet to be restored.

It's like Joe D said, their are just not needed in the current fight. Look at the M1117 ASV. It was also one of those programs that was cut to free up funding for the Stryker FOVs. If's fund has been restored some because they are needed.

This is another one of those things where funding is the controlling factor and not common sense.
Sgt, Scouts out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
bsmart
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 2523
Location: Central Maryland
PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:05 am
Post subject: Re: M104 Wolverine at Ft Hood...

- Roy_A_Lingle
Hi Bob! Hi Folks!

- bsmart

I can see and advantage to modifying the older AVLBs in the short term but as there are extra M1 chassis in the inventory I would think that converting some to support vehicles such as AVLBs, recovery vehicles and engineering vehicles would make sense.


I have to agree with that Bob. However the problem is a lack of funds. The Wolverine and the Grizzle are programs that were cut to free up funding for the Stryker FOVs and has yet to be restored.

It's like Joe D said, their are just not needed in the current fight. Look at the M1117 ASV. It was also one of those programs that was cut to free up funding for the Stryker FOVs. If's fund has been restored some because they are needed.

This is another one of those things where funding is the controlling factor and not common sense.
Sgt, Scouts out!


I think there is very little that is not controlled by short term funding issues.

I'm noticing a trend that we saw in the 60s where long term programs are being sacrificed to pay for growing operational costs while trying to stay within lower 'acceptable' budgets. Crying or Very sad I remember living in the aftermath of that on the flightline in the mid 70s with not enough parts because although they bought a new fighter ( the F-15) they scimped on the supporting kit to hold the cost of the program down.

_________________
Bob Smart ([email protected])
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Roy_A_Lingle
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas
PostPosted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 10:19 am
Post subject: Re: M104 Wolverine at Ft Hood...

Hi Bob! Hi Folks!

- bsmart

I think there is very little that is not controlled by short term funding issues.

I'm noticing a trend that we saw in the 60s where long term programs are being sacrificed to pay for growing operational costs while trying to stay within lower 'acceptable' budgets. Crying or Very sad I remember living in the aftermath of that on the flightline in the mid 70s with not enough parts because although they bought a new fighter ( the F-15) they scimped on the supporting kit to hold the cost of the program down.


The 1970s! The last half was hard on all of DOD. I remember reading about new F-16s coming off the production line in Ft. Worth. The Air Force would install an engine, send the aircraft up for a test flight and then remove the engine so it could installed in the next aircraft. The Army was putting a lot of it's available funding into the new Abrams/Bradley vehicles and there was very little funds for very much of any thing else. God help the AFV Crewman who lost a tool needed to work on his vehicle because the supply room didn't have any funds to buy replacement tools.

Hell, costs and the need from funds for other programs is the only reason the Navy has retired the F-14 Tomcats. I have heard, but I have not confired it, that the S-3 Vikings have been or are being retired, or there is a plan to retire them for the same reason.

All this is an outstanding example of why the DOD doesn't always buy good things at the right time. Sad
Sgt, Scouts Out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT - 6 Hours



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum