I have no experience with these things. When I retired from the Army in 2000 there was as yet no intention to use HMMWVs ("Hummers" to civilians) as combat vehicles. There were a few of the "turtle top" armored HMMWVs for convoy escort and tactical "traffic control", bu they were nearly universally despised, as being pains in the ass.
HMMWVs are maintenance nightmares; every day, and sometimes several times every day, depending on what you are doing, you have to crawl underneath and tighten the bolts holding the half-shafts on. Sometimes the emergency brake does not disengage, even though you have released the lever. And it's uncomfortable as hell.
So when a combat Marine tells me he'd rather go to war in a HMMWV than an MRAP, I listen. (Granted, he is referring to one particular model of MRAP here.)
The "money quote" is here, though:
The MRAP is a vehicle that is well-suited for a particular niche, but due to pressure from people such as our lawmakers in Congress, it has been pressed into service in roles that it is not suited for. For a unit that never leaves a paved surface, and rarely spends more than 24 hours outside of some sort of operating base at a time, the MRAP's protection and communications capabilities make it a superb asset. For units that must remain expeditionary, be able to operate in a wide variety of terrain and pursue the enemy wherever he is found, the MRAP is ultimately a poor choice, and I in retrospect I am very glad that Gen Conway is reducing the number of these vehicles on order. Personally, if given the choice, I would take an M1114 or M1152 HMMWV over the JERRV 4X4, and would seek other means to reduce the IED threat through such things as tribal leader engagement and refining mounted patrol TTPs.(Emphasis added. DWD)
JERRV=Joint Explosive Ordinance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicle, so this vehicle was STILL not being used what it was designed for.
TTP=Tactics, Techniques, and Practices.
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