Vehicles that save lives...

**gunjunkie** · 03-15-2007, 03:14 AM

Anyone see the segment on Nightline tonight, about the vehicles Force Protection Inc. is building for the US Military.

The Cougar and the Buffalo are based, in large part, on the Casspir and the Buffel, premier IFVs of the South African military and police forces from the late 70's onward. The chief scientist involved in developing the South African operational versions is now the CTO of this company who's vehicles are beginning to get traction with the US military in place of the fatally flawed HMMV.

I have the dubious distinction of having spent quite some time in a Buffel, so, I can say with first hand experience, although they are not the most comfortable beasts out there. They are certainly amoungst the safest vehicles ever devised. I have friends that have directly survived AT mine blasts, with no more injury than some guy in the crew getting a broken ankle.

I'm happy to see that my home-countries expertise in non-conventional warfare is finally being put to some use.

**TheBigC** · 03-15-2007, 12:20 PM

The Cougar and Buffalo are widely used in theater already. As with the RG31 which is made by a different manufacturer. Those vehicles are simply awesome, they save lives. Their “V-Hull” design directs blasts away from the passenger compartment and has saved countless lives after they ran over an IED. I agree the downside to them is comfort and modularity when it comes to configurations. To me none of that matters when they have a vehicle that does exactly what it claims to do…

**TG_Bear** · 03-16-2007, 08:38 AM

The harsh reality is that the Stryker and M1A1 are horrific in an urban combat setting. One would think the planners at the Pentagon would have known and taken that into consideration but apprarently they decided it would be better to have our troops riding around getting shredded in Humvees.

Acreo Aeneas · 03-17-2007, 01:28 PM

Oh great. It probably downs gasoline/crude/lard like a man craving for water after 3 days in the desert.

Can anyone say failed doom? Not to mention once it runs out of gas trying to flee from being destroyed by overwhelming forces, it becomes a immobile target!

Tychandrus · 03-18-2007, 05:29 PM

Call me when we make a dropship.

**Cappy** · 03-18-2007, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acreo Aeneas

Oh great. It probably downs gasoline/crude/lard like a man craving for water after 3 days in the desert.

Can anyone say failed doom? Not to mention once it runs out of gas trying to flee from being destroyed by overwhelming forces, it becomes a immobile target!

i would care less if it used 30 gallons to the mile if it saved 1 life....

gas can be replaced,, lives cant.

**CingularDuality** · 03-18-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cappy

gas can be replaced,, lives cant.

Are you sure about that?

I was under the impression that there's a finite amount of available petroleum, while I constantly remind my child to behave because I brought him into this world and I can take him out and make another one just like him if he's not careful.

**Trooper** · 03-18-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularDuality

Are you sure about that?

I was under the impression that there's a finite amount of available petroleum, while I constantly remind my child to behave because I brought him into this world and I can take him out and make another one just like him if he's not careful.

But if our current war(s) are gonna be fought in oil rich countries does that matter?

**CingularDuality** · 03-18-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trooper[SNPR]

But if our current war(s) are gonna be fought in oil rich countries does that matter?

Not to me!

**LuckyStrike** · 03-20-2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularDuality

Are you sure about that?

I was under the impression that there's a finite amount of available petroleum, while I constantly remind my child to behave because I brought him into this world and I can take him out and make another one just like him if he's not careful.

The mystery of Eugene Island 330 and self-renewing oil supplies
http://www.prisonplanet.com/archives/peak_oil/index.htm

Abiogenic petroleum origin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abiogenic_petroleum_origin

secret.squirrul · 03-22-2007, 07:50 PM

What exactly are the flaws of the HMMWV?

**Trooper** · 03-22-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secret.squirrul

What exactly are the flaws of the HMMWV?

Big target
Doesnt really come with much or any armour, thats an "add on"

And its time to update the vehicles our troops are useing. Maybe something a little cheaper and better equiped. The hummer was designed for a european war, made just wide enough for the rail tunnels and streets.

ednos · 03-22-2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularDuality

I constantly remind my child to behave because I brought him into this world and I can take him out and make another one just like him if he's not careful.

Dad?!

03-15-2007, 03:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
gunjunkie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Palo Alto, CA Posts: 1,278	Vehicles that save lives... Anyone see the segment on Nightline tonight, about the vehicles Force Protection Inc. is building for the US Military. The Cougar and the Buffalo are based, in large part, on the Casspir and the Buffel, premier IFVs of the South African military and police forces from the late 70's onward. The chief scientist involved in developing the South African operational versions is now the CTO of this company who's vehicles are beginning to get traction with the US military in place of the fatally flawed HMMV. I have the dubious distinction of having spent quite some time in a Buffel, so, I can say with first hand experience, although they are not the most comfortable beasts out there. They are certainly amoungst the safest vehicles ever devised. I have friends that have directly survived AT mine blasts, with no more injury than some guy in the crew getting a broken ankle. I'm happy to see that my home-countries expertise in non-conventional warfare is finally being put to some use. __________________ Do or do not, there is no try.... -- Yoda, Dagobah

03-15-2007, 12:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheBigC Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Around Age: 36 Posts: 2,930	Re: Vehicles that save lives... The Cougar and Buffalo are widely used in theater already. As with the RG31 which is made by a different manufacturer. Those vehicles are simply awesome, they save lives. Their “V-Hull” design directs blasts away from the passenger compartment and has saved countless lives after they ran over an IED. I agree the downside to them is comfort and modularity when it comes to configurations. To me none of that matters when they have a vehicle that does exactly what it claims to do… __________________ The Meek shall inherit the earth..... after we're through with it! The Wounded Warrior Project, help support my friends

03-16-2007, 08:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
TG_Bear Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Age: 42 Posts: 504	Re: Vehicles that save lives... The harsh reality is that the Stryker and M1A1 are horrific in an urban combat setting. One would think the planners at the Pentagon would have known and taken that into consideration but apprarently they decided it would be better to have our troops riding around getting shredded in Humvees. __________________ “Waiting to be awakened by some unexpected thunderous roar, never dying...the sleeping giant lives and will sleep no more”. - John Seabrook

03-17-2007, 01:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Acreo Aeneas Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: DePaul University (Chicago) Age: 22 Posts: 3,734	Re: Vehicles that save lives... Oh great. It probably downs gasoline/crude/lard like a man craving for water after 3 days in the desert. Can anyone say failed doom? Not to mention once it runs out of gas trying to flee from being destroyed by overwhelming forces, it becomes a immobile target! __________________ Acreo_Aeneas Former 9th Member "People usually see me and ask if I speak Chinese. I respond by asking if they speak American."

03-18-2007, 05:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tychandrus Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Canada, New Brunswick. Age: 20 Posts: 83	Re: Vehicles that save lives... Call me when we make a dropship. __________________ Here is how you may call me: Ty (Tie), or Tychus. (Tie-cuss)'. Full pronounciation: Tie-can-dur-us -Tychandrus

03-22-2007, 07:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
secret.squirrul Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Illinois Age: 23 Posts: 213	Re: Vehicles that save lives... What exactly are the flaws of the HMMWV?

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