Marine Corps asks industry to improve performance.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Defense Insider - Brief article

* If the Marine Corps is going to successfully accomplish an ambitious post-war modernization program, contractors hoping to land new business must focus on one priority above all: affordability.

General officers and civilian Marine Corps leaders hammered that point during a recent industry conference.

A decade of combat has left the corps with outdated, battered equipment, much of which needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Though a smaller force will allow the Marine Corps to buy fewer weapons and vehicles, in most cases the desired replacements cost far more than current systems.

A new Humvee, when introduced in the 1980s, cost about $60,000, said Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commander of Marine Corps combat development command. Its eventual replacement, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, by comparison could cost as much as $350,000 in today's dollars.

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Bruised by the cancelation of the expeditionary fighting vehicle, the Marine Corps is still intent on replacing at least a portion of its...