Pentagon delays - Troops die
A new, high-tech vehicle that destroys roadside bombs has passed a series of military tests, but still hasn't been sent into battle, thanks to bureaucratic delays at the Pentagon and Department of Defense. (See LA Times report February 10, 2006 by Mark Mazzetti)
More than half of U.S. combat deaths in Iraq have been caused by the makeshift (but devastatingly effective) bombs known as IEDs (improvised explosive devices).
Two years ago, the top commander in the Middle East, General John Abizaid, called for the development of a "Manhattan Project" to address the deadly problem.
A remote-control vehicle called the JIN (Joint IED Neutrlizer) has finally been built -- the prototype knocked out 90% of the bombs in testing -- and yet still the Pentagon delays deployment, claming that more testing is necessary.
Why? it works NOW! Why not send a bunch of these life-saving vehicles to protect our troops in the field NOW? If the thing needs some refinements, fine, tinker around with it some more -- but meanwhile use the prototypes we've got! It's already 90% effective, it could save a lot of our troops from being blown up by bombs in paper bags.
The Pentagon brass is harrumphing that Iraq isn't "the place to test unproven technology" [Army Brigadier General Dan Allyn, deputy of the IED task force] -- funny how they don't mind sending unproven troops to be shredded by makeshift bombs.
The Marines got impatient, jumped the testing schedule, and sent some JINs to the Anbar province in western Iraq. They used the JIN vehicle in combat situations, and it worked.
What is the Pentagon waiting for?
More than half of U.S. combat deaths in Iraq have been caused by the makeshift (but devastatingly effective) bombs known as IEDs (improvised explosive devices).
Two years ago, the top commander in the Middle East, General John Abizaid, called for the development of a "Manhattan Project" to address the deadly problem.
A remote-control vehicle called the JIN (Joint IED Neutrlizer) has finally been built -- the prototype knocked out 90% of the bombs in testing -- and yet still the Pentagon delays deployment, claming that more testing is necessary.
Why? it works NOW! Why not send a bunch of these life-saving vehicles to protect our troops in the field NOW? If the thing needs some refinements, fine, tinker around with it some more -- but meanwhile use the prototypes we've got! It's already 90% effective, it could save a lot of our troops from being blown up by bombs in paper bags.
The Pentagon brass is harrumphing that Iraq isn't "the place to test unproven technology" [Army Brigadier General Dan Allyn, deputy of the IED task force] -- funny how they don't mind sending unproven troops to be shredded by makeshift bombs.
The Marines got impatient, jumped the testing schedule, and sent some JINs to the Anbar province in western Iraq. They used the JIN vehicle in combat situations, and it worked.
What is the Pentagon waiting for?
posted by Antares at 12:46 PM
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