What's next for MRAP?

• Position: WASHINGTON PULSE: NEWS FROM INSIDE THE BELTWAY - Mine-resistant ambush-protected - Brief article

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The frenzy that led up to the procurement of thousands of mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles has subsided, and officials now are worrying about what to do with these unwieldy behemoths after U.S. troops leave Iraq. The Army and Marine Corps have ordered 15,000 MRAPs and so far have received 4,400. About 1,200 a month are being produced. The Army thinks it can justify keeping about 10,000 of the armored trucks for mine-clearance, engineering and medevac duties, said Lt. Gen. Stephen Speakes, Army deputy chief of staff He noted that within the Army's fleet of 140,000 trucks...