There's an interesting article on Humvee shortcomings and misuse in the new Soldier of Fortune magazine.

I don't have a copy, but read it in the bookstore. Humvee is bieng used in way the jeep never was and ways it was not intended to be used.

Steve

Based the experiences of others who driven them all over Iraq the HMMWV is as good as it gets.

Are they bomb proof? No, but neither is anything else.
Could they be hardened? Yes, but that adds weights and reduces payload.
Will they burn if blown up? Yes, but so would any other vehicle hit by high explosives.

The one weakness of the HMMWV is the exposure of the gunner on top. Fully exposed from the waist up makes him a prime target for chuckleheads with weapons. Lately, I've seen photos of HMMWV's in Iraq with what looks like improvised gun tubs and shields. This allows the gunner 4 sided protection when firing, reloading or clearing the weapon.

Although, I personally have not read the SOF article I'm wondering why now they would write an article about a vehicle that, in my ever so humble opinion, is a sound vehicle that does what is asked of it and much more.

I always love reading these articles about x being this and y being that. I bet when the Willys, Mutts and Landies hit the war for the first time many articles called them inadequate.

Just like the Willys, Mutts and Landies, there are shortcomings and it will probably take time to correct these, but the guys that use them, it seems, truly love them!

The Shortcomings explain all the field mods bieng created in Iraq right now!!!!!

The field mods are being made in the field because our "leaders" can't seem top get the messages from lessons learned. Most of the mods have been adopted in one fashion or other for the protection of the crews deploying these vehicles. Remember that most wars today are run by non combatants from their armchairs who claim to be "experts". If they would only listen to those who fight the wars.....

I'm not damning or defending the Humvee (I would certainly like to own one), but those interested should give the article a look.

One thing mentioned were the number of roll-over incidents.

Yes, I agree that the mods are adressing the shortcomings of a vehicle used in ways it was not designed to be used.

It's like sandbagging a sherman...

Steve