One of the great dreams of the Osprey was that it would deposit Marines with their own organic support weapons, ready to support the assault. It looks as if the Marines might be able to assault with the Osprey, but without mortar support.
When the Marines shipped their V-22 Osprey aircraft to Iraq last year, they had to leave behind the assault vehicles and mobile mortar system that fit inside the planes.The Marines' new mortar system can't safely carry its ammunition.
That conclusion, from a government audit, is the most recent bad news for the Marines' attempt to ferry firepower inside the Osprey. The Defense Department inspector general is investigating the program, which is two years behind schedule and $15 million over budget.
The system consists of a jeeplike vehicle called the Growler that pulls trailers carrying mortars and ammunition.
Infantrymen who’ve made a combat assault, or dealt with a swiftly-developing meeting engagement, understand just how useful organic mortars can be. They’re right there, on the spot, and can provide the artillery support you need, usually much dater than tubes or heavier artillery, at a distant fire base.
That Growler sounds like a jim-dandy little gadget to schlep round your tubes and ammo. Looks kind of cute, too. Doesn’t it remind you of those Jeeps your grampaw used to drive waay back in “the big one” ? Looks like kind of a short wheelbase, though, doesn’t it?
The Growler, made in Robbins, N.C., costs $127,000 each and cannot safely pull its ammunition trailer, according to interviews and the report from the Government Accountability Office. The trailer has a tendency to bounce or tip over, which could crush a Marine riding in the back of the Growler. A Growler, not pulling a trailer, was reported to have tipped over last summer when it swerved to avoid a turtle in the road.
Oops.
One of the reasons the Army sent away their little Jeeps, and went with the Hummer was the wider stance, thereby ensuring a more stable platform.
Should I infer from the article that the Marines are buying the puppies at $127,000 per, just because they’re tiny enough to fit inside the Osprey?
Didn’t they – you – know – test-drive them first?
Apparently not.
The problems were predictable, said Philip Coyle, who directed the Pentagon's weapons testing from 1994 to 2001. The Marines decided to start production before testing the vehicle and mortars, Coyle said."It is a sign of rushing to failure," he said.
Some sailor-boy in green landed on shore with a pocket full of ca$h and said “Now I need me a ride.” And an obliging salesman was right there to show him this cute little go-cart with the macho name.
“Son, what do you do?”
“Sir, I’m a mortarman.”
“Well, son, I’ve got just the thing for you. You know how heavy those mortar tubes are? And how hot and nasty it can be some places? Son, you’re gonna love this unit. It’s got a small wheelbase, so you an turn around in tight corners, and it’s narrow enough that you can fly this thing anywhere you want to. And look! It’s got a trailer hitch so you carry around trailers for your tubes and ammo! And I gave it this great name, ‘Growler.’ Chesty would have loved it.”
“Gee, that sounds great, Sir. How much is it?”
“Well, son, how much have you got?”
“Ummmmm….. about $17 million, sir.”
“Son, you just bought yourself a bunch of go-carts. Your buddies are gonna love them. No need to dirty your nice clean greens test-driving this now. I’ll send it on to your base. No you go have a nice time on shore leave.”
Now I can’t guarantee the conversation went exactly like that, because I don’t really know. Sure, there might have been a bit of poetic license. And the Marines aren’t talking because the Inspector General is really interested in the entire purchase.
The Marines won't discuss the program, known as the Expeditionary Fire Support System, because of the Defense Department's investigation.
Now, that DOD IG might not say anything harsh about the whole matter. That office has a spotty record, after all.
But they probably can’t miss this:
The contract award was controversial because the founder of Carolina Growler, Terry Crews, is a retired Marine colonel with strong connections. The Defense Department received an anonymous complaint claiming that Crews was a close friend of Brig. Gen. William Catto, who headed the agency that awarded the contract, Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va.The complainant, who identified himself as a career procurement professional, said Catto steered the contract to Carolina Growler and General Dynamics.
After demonstrations from three companies, the selection committee recommended the contract go to a team of United Defense, which supplied the mortar, and Rae-Beck Automotive of Michigan, which built a new vehicle from scratch. According to the complaint, the United Defense bid was technically superior and cost less, while the Growler flunked crucial tests and was coupled to a much more expensive mortar system.
Gasp. Shocking, simply shocking. I also liked the part about buying a mortar system from General Dynamics, because, you see, the Marine Corps apparently doesn’t own any mortars.
The V-22 Series
Osprey's Marines Made Mortar-less
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