Marine Corps ponders options to expand armor forces in Iraq.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Up Front

As the demand for armored scout units in Iraq soars, the Marine Corps is reviewing its entire array of combat vehicle programs and is considering revising procurement plans.

Officials are debating, among other things, whether to shift funds from futuristic weapon systems to near-term priorities, such as increasing the size of the Marine Corps' light armored force.

A review of Marine force requirements already is underway at the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. At the same time, officials responsible for the development and procurement of combat vehicles are grappling with how best to meet the hardware needs of a potentially larger force.

According to preliminary estimates, the Marine Corps would be looking to add five light-armored reconnaissance companies. Each company would be assigned to a Marine light armored reconnaissance battalion. In the U.S. Central Command area of operations, LAR battalions report to the joint commander of all U.S. ground forces.

The Corps has not yet decided, however, how it will come up with additional light armored vehicles, or LAVs, for the new companies. The Corps already owns more than 700 eight-wheeled LAVs, but the fleet is stretched thin, officials said. Each new light armored company would require 25 vehicles.

Among the options being contemplated are to purchase new vehicles or to bring ashore existing LAVs that are stocked aboard sea-based floating warehouses and saved for emergencies.

"We don't know the strategy yet," said Col. John J. Bryant, program manager for Marine Corps light armored vehicles. The only certainty is that his office has "no dollars now to buy any new light armored vehicles," he told an industry conference.

Commanders in Iraq have found much utility in the light armored battalions, Bryant explained, which has kept these units busier than planned and has led to requests for additional battalions.

The manufacturer of the LAV, General Dynamics Land Systems, so far has not received any orders for new vehicles. If the Corps decides to order new LAVs, it would take about 12 to 18 months to produce them, said Michael Peck, director of business development at General Dynamics.

A bare-bones LAV hull costs about $1 million, Bryant said. The priciest piece is the weapons turret, which ranges from $1.5 million to $2.5 million each.

In Iraq, the LAR battalions serve as "eyes and ears for the division commander," Bryant noted. Infantry regiments also rely on LAR companies to function as the...