Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
Since 1985, eleven different versions of the High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) have been in service. The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is being developed by the Army and the Marine Corps as a successor to the HMMWV. The Department of Defense (DoD) initiated the JLTV program to replace its aging fleet of the HMMWV. The purpose of this essay is to determine if the high cost of the JLTV should preclude it from replacing the HMMWV as outlined in the 2010 Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Strategy. Because of the cost, an inability to meet joint requirements and the presence of feasible alternatives, the Department of Defense should not continue acquisition of the JLTV.
The first problem with the JLTV is the cost. Although, DOD has not been public with a definitive cost because it is too early in the development process. The FY2011 Budget Request for JLTVs is $172.1 million for Army Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) and $71.8 million for Marine Corps RDT&E, for a program total of $243.9 million. However, some analysts suggest that the JLTV program will cost well over $10 billion and possibly as much as $30 to $70 billion, depending on the final cost of the vehicles and the number procured. Currently, the cost per unit is estimated at about $320,000 per vehicle, a figure that the Marines believe is too high. While some consider this cost high, an up-armored HMMWV with a fragmentation kit costs around $200,000, a MRAP costs between $430,000 to $900,000 and the M-ATV, about $1.4 million with special equipment and vehicle transportation costs factored in.
So how does that compare to the cost of the alternatives like the HMMWV recap program? AM General LLC in Mishawaka, IN received a maximum $67 million firm, fixed price contract for services and part support for 1,098 National Stock Numbers (NSNs). This is in support of the HMMWV Recap program to completely rebuild HMMWVs for the US Army. This program currently in place at Red
The first problem with the JLTV is the cost. Although, DOD has not been public with a definitive cost because it is too early in the development process. The FY2011 Budget Request for JLTVs is $172.1 million for Army Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) and $71.8 million for Marine Corps RDT&E, for a program total of $243.9 million. However, some analysts suggest that the JLTV program will cost well over $10 billion and possibly as much as $30 to $70 billion, depending on the final cost of the vehicles and the number procured. Currently, the cost per unit is estimated at about $320,000 per vehicle, a figure that the Marines believe is too high. While some consider this cost high, an up-armored HMMWV with a fragmentation kit costs around $200,000, a MRAP costs between $430,000 to $900,000 and the M-ATV, about $1.4 million with special equipment and vehicle transportation costs factored in.
So how does that compare to the cost of the alternatives like the HMMWV recap program? AM General LLC in Mishawaka, IN received a maximum $67 million firm, fixed price contract for services and part support for 1,098 National Stock Numbers (NSNs). This is in support of the HMMWV Recap program to completely rebuild HMMWVs for the US Army. This program currently in place at Red