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04 Oct 11. When the U.S. Army released its fiscal 2011 Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Strategy in January, the service was lauded for a forward-looking approach in defining and addressing needs that also laid plans to reduce its fleet of 260,000 trucks 15% by 2017. The Army is “at a strategic crossroads,” Maj. Gen. Thomas Spoehr, director of force development, said at the time, since it “cannot afford to sustain and modernize a fleet of the current size, given future budget expectations.” But those plans have since been mugged by budget realities. As it stands, the Pentagon is set to absorb at least $350bn in cuts over the next decade, with deeper reductions looming as Congress seeks an additional $1.2trn in government cuts. Given all the unknowns in the budget situation, Army leaders are moving forward with three combat vehicle programs—two wheeled and one tracked. How many will actually make it to the fleet remains to be seen, though the service maintains that all three—the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), the (tracked) Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV), and the Humvee recap program (DTI June, p. 41)—are doable. Others aren’t so sure. Stephen Daggett of the Congressional Research Service recently told DTI that he thinks “the Army is going to give up the Ground Combat Vehicle and JLTV” in subsequent budgets, relying instead on recapped Humvees, Strykers, M-ATVs (MRAP All-Terrain Vehicles) and recapped M-ATVs. In August, the Army awarded almost $900m to two teams led by BAE Systems and General Dynamics for its GCV program, a move that appeared to be a big vote of confidence in the program. But then came the details. In giving the green light to the program, Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter instructed the Army to conduct two analyses of alternatives (AOA), which will come on top of the AOA the Army completed to ensure that no existing programs perform the tasks envisioned for the GCV. Army Col. Andrew DiMarco, GCV project manager, asserts that his office “looked at a variety of platforms,” including the Bradley and the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle, as well as several foreign programs such as the Puma infantry carrier, made by Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall Land Systems. None had the capabilities that the Army believes it can achieve with a newly built vehicle. (Source: Defense News)

10 Oct 11. Jeep Government and Military Sales (JGMS) announce Listing of the Jeep® J8 on the US Government GSA Schedule. Following extensive competitive evaluation the Jeep J8 has been selected by the GSA for a multi-year contract award in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Andrew Jankel, President of Jeep Government and Military Sales Inc stated “JGMS are delighted that the Jeep J8 family of vehicles is on the GSA Schedule and are excited about the direction and progress the Jeep J8 is making in re-establishing a presence with the military user worldwide. It is a source of great pride to us that the J8 has now been selected for service with the US Military and it is a clear statement of confidence in the vehicle and its suitability for operations in this demanding environment”. Jeep Government and Military Sales (JGMS) will display the latest developments of J8 military vehicles at AUSA. On show at the JGMS Stand (#7643) will be the fully armored Jeep J8 4×4 Utility Vehicle utilising the latest hot formed armoring technology optimized for discreet and covert security missions; and the 5 Door Border Patrol Vehicle developed for homeland security and law-enforcement duties. Jeep J8 vehicles are equipped with a powerful and efficient 2.8 L turbocharged diesel engine with 5 speed automatic transmission, Command-Trac® 4WD system, reinforced chassis, and heavy-duty brakes, suspension, axles and engine cooling for outstandin