The Pentagon tapped teams led by Lockheed Martin Corp , General Dynamics Corp, and BAE Systems Plc for the first stage of a potential $40 billion competition to replace the workhorse Humvee vehicle used by U.S. forces in Iraq and elsewhere. The trio were awarded 27-month technology development contracts to build and test prototypes of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV, a family of armored combat and scout trucks. The Pentagon's top six suppliers had been among those bidding for the contracts, with initial values of $35.9 million for Lockheed's team; $45.1 million for General Dynamics' team; and $40.5 million for the team led by BAE Systems Land & Armaments-Ground Systems Division.

The Humvee has been in use for quite some time, but has it seen the end of it's life cycle? Are we looking for a replacement just to replace it or are we looking for a better ground vehicle for our troops? With the economy in the state it is should we be considering contracts of this magnitude until the economic crisis is past?

Read the Full Story