Marines need more reliable vehicles.

• Author: Book, Elizabeth G.
• Position: Washington Pulse - Brief Article

One of the lessons that the Marines have learned so far from the war in Afghanistan is that they need combat vehicles that are more reliable and consume less fuel than current light-armored vehicles, or LAVs.

Members of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, for example, had to conduct a 120-kilometer, 19-hour surveillance mission around Camp Rhino, in Afghanistan. Four of the LAVs broke down, and some ran out of fuel, said Marine Col. Philip Exner.

Exner is the director of studies and analysis at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, Va. The office is analyzing all of the operations Marines conducted in Afghanistan.

The capabilities to refuel...