Training in a mechanical zoo

[unhappycamper]

Training in a mechanical zoo
By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, November 2, 2007


HOHENFELS, Germany — Buffaloes, Rhinos and robots are helping engineers at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center train to clear makeshift bombs from Iraqi roads.

Soldiers of Company B, 40th Engineer Battalion are getting ready for a route-clearance mission when they deploy early next year with 1st Armored Division’s 2nd Brigade.

The engineers will be involved in daily patrols to scout for bombs on roads used by coalition troops in Iraq, according to Sgt. 1st Class Robert Miles, 34, of Dubois, Pa.

To prepare for the mission, the engineers set off in a convoy Wednesday along an on-post road at Hohenfels.

The lead vehicle — a Humvee — had a Rhino attached to the front of it. The Rhino, which protrudes like a giant horn, is an electrical device designed to detonate roadside bombs along the route before the convoy reaches them.

~snip~

Staff Sgt. Eric Burrola, 26, said his unit will also get RG-31 armored cars in Iraq, which perform a role similar to a Humvee but have heavier armor.


Rest of article at: http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49975



uhc comment: Another BAE Systems product.

RG-31 Nyala Mine Protected Vehicle

http://www.defense-update.com/products/r/RG-31.htm




With a combat weight of 8,400 kg., the RG-31 MK3 4x4 Mine Protected APC is built from an all-steel welded armor monocoque hull, typical of South African mine protected vehicles, providing excellent small-arms and mine blast protection as well as small arms fire. The vehicle accommodates a crew of 10 including the driver. Dismounting is provided via a large rear door and two front doors. A different version, the RG-31M features a military wiring harness, central tire inflation and several other new characteristics. This Vehicle has a crew of 5.

By January 2007 U.S. forces have ordered or received 424 RG-31 vehicles, including 265 RG-31 Mk5s for the U.S. Army and SOCOM. In June 2007 the US Army ordered 44 additional RG-31 Mk5s.

RG-31 is currently in service with US Army Task Force Pathfinder attached to the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq. It is also used with Explosive Ordinance Disposal units of the US Marine Corps, assisting location and neutralizing IED’s. Procurement of 148 additional vehicles, under a $97 million contract was announced in February 2005.


The RG 31 costs about $655,000 a pop according to this article.

More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RG-31

[RC]

1. $655,000 a pop?

War sure is getting expensive. I wonder how much it is costing the people defending their homeland of Iraq?