Re: Humvee as a infantry fighting vehicle?

While the US does have Bradleys, LAV's and Strykers, the
fact remains that Humvees do a lot of patrolling and convoy
escort in hostile areas in Iraq. At least initially unarmoured
Humvees were commonly used in such roles, as armoured ones were
in short supply. Relatively heavy casaulties prompted at
least some improvized uparmouring on site, and some political
fall out too.

The HMG typical on current (armoured) Humvees is hatch operated
exposing the shooter, although the introduction of armoured shields
(with improvizations) help. Only the CROW and modified
Avenger Humvees with remotely operated turrets will allow
the shooter to stay inside the armoured vehicle.

Strykers have had their share of problems too, as the bolt
on 'bird-cage' armour makes them heavier than what the
automotive parts can sustain. Otoh, the bird-cage has prooved
effective against RPG's.

I find it obvious that, after the initial success, the US
troops in Iraq found themselves in a situatifor for which
they were badly prepared for. The excessive usage of Humvees
for patrolling is a good example of this.

It's notable that the US hasn't had significant numbers of
armoured scout cars like the Soviets had. Although BRDM's
prooved rather vulnareable in Afghanistan, like the BTR's,
and their turret mounted MG's lacked the elevation needed in
the steep terrain, an updated BRDM-type vehicle would seem
to me to be a much better starting point for a patrol
vehicle than the Humvee. It amazes me that, eg, the M117
security vehicle hasn't been used as a starting point
instead of the Humvee. Also, as a stop-gap measure, it
might have been possible to purchase vehicles better suited
for the patrolling role from overseas 'of the shelf'. I kind
of doubt that this was even tried.

At any rate, I think that the experience in Iraq should
prompt the development of an entirely new patrol vehicle
addressing the lack of protection and fire-power of the
Humvees, but that would be small enough to manage cramped
urban streets (unlike Bradleys, Strykers and such).
.