Ok...it is apparent that no one in America reads the fine print anymore. Everything is slanted and opinionated and few see the facts anymore.

Ok, lets get something straight. Numerous others have alluded to this and people still haven't caught on. So here goes.

THE LIMO HUMMER IS A STAND IN. They chose it for the space to have all the comm suite, airconditioning, test equipment, data recorders, developers, programers, engineers, and designers. They are NOT going to baja it around the desert of Nevada. It will be used to test communications with air, space, land, and UAV type technologies is my guesstimate. Why not choose some other vehicle? Because there would not be enough room in any other. They are testing radio and comm equipment, not tryin to mock up or prototype any kind of new vehicle.

When and IF a new vehicle is made they will take the knowledge gained from the tests, design new comm gear around it, and put it in the new chasis.

I hate almost any forum because it becomes a place for fools to flame fools rather than exchange knowledge. People, please learn to read and comprehend. This is why politicians sway so many ignorant people into following them like sheep...because people became fat, dumb, and lazy as a whole.

Posted by: Disgruntled US Vet at September 28, 2007 02:10 PM

gdh

Posted by: yochay at November 14, 2006 07:23 AM

If you want to sneak around, be a mouse and work your way up from there, In Vietnam, The VC ran around everywhere in tunnels, only a fool would get in An Over-Size Vehicle AND TRAVEL AROUND THE STREETS OF IRAQ!!! Stupid, Ignorant,A Congressman, the lists goes on. Like, put The president at the Wheel,What a joke and waste of money

Posted by: Walt Mace at January 7, 2006 01:14 AM

If you want to sneak around, be a mouse and work your way up from there, In Vietnam, The VC ran around everywhere in tunnels, only a fool would get in An Over-Size Vehicle AND TRAVEL AROUND THE STREETS OF IRAQ!!! Stupid, Ignorant,A Congressman, the lists goes on. Like, put The president at the Wheel,What a joke and waste of money

Posted by: Walt Mace at January 7, 2006 01:07 AM

BigM...
You wrote:
Duh, who else do you think is reading this stuff,(insurrgents, terrorists maybe). You all are bunch of ignorant, arrogant morons, who need to learn to use spell check and a dictionary.

You wrote: "What's killing our pepole is....

What the hell is "pepole?"....!!!!
I believe the word you are looking for is "PEOPLE"
Terorist has one r.
Well....The insurgents can read all they want. That is why it is called the internet. People post and reply.These posting are not a threat to our National Security!!!!

1) Duh...defined ..Used to express actual or feigned ignorance or stupidity. 2. used to indicate that something just stated is obvious or self evident.
Nothing written by any of these writers is stupid or arrogant except your spelling of "pepole" and you hate spew. These passages are merely opinions.

2) I suppose it is obvious that you understood all that was written.....Therefore spell-check is not required or necessary. It is merely helpful.
On 2nd thought, you are the only one ranting about spell check. Where there many words that you could not understand?

Do yourself and us a favor.....!!!Go back to the year 2005 and spew all your hate..!!!!!Better yet, Buy yourself a one way ticket to Iraq and spew all you want every day in the middle of any street out there!!!

We know that the vehicle is intended as a communication test....Even so communication is one of the life lines for combatants. There should be no TEST for communication in a Hummmer. We must understand that in order for one to see if a TEST really works one must use it in a "live scenario." On the day that the governments actually test this vehicle in a real life situation, it will "probably" put the lives of the soldiers and equipment in harms way.

Let us leave the hate for the terrorist!!

Don

Posted by: Don at January 4, 2006 07:14 PM

Big Mike, the opinionated chap who is so quick to admonish everyone other than a supporter of the traitor, George W. Bush, regarding their civil liberites and inability to use a 'spell checker' (What's the point?), might be well served if he practiced what he preached, learned a bit about 'basic grammar and punctuation' and spend more time 'listening' and 'reading' to improve his frame of knowledge in general; and in particular, about the subject he addressed. Big Mike is obviously one of those blind sheep who cannot recognize the difference between patriotism and treason.

Posted by: JAYMAC at January 4, 2006 02:54 PM

Hey,
it sure beats marching everywhere like us infantry troops!

Posted by: SPC Missick at January 3, 2006 08:52 PM

Looks like a Cougar 6x6 will fill this role in the field. Just my opinion. www.forceprotection.net

Posted by: Chuck at January 3, 2006 08:13 AM

It is unblievable how ignorant you people are. Do you really have so little faith in God and country that you would actually think someone put a "stretch limo" into a combat situation. Of course it is a "huge target" and "rolling body bag", who would be so dumb as to want to put our fighting forces in such a situation. Read a little more thouroughly first, get out a some references, and do some homework the next time prior to spouting off at the mouth and making yourselves look so stupid in front of all the World. (remember these articles are read by more than just us here in the good ole USA.) And by the way stop telling everything; "when I was in Iraq we had...", "What's killing our pepole is..." We need protection from..." Duh, who else do you think is reading this stuff,(insurrgents, terrorists maybe). You all are bunch of ignorant, arrogant morons, who need to learn to use spell check and a dictionary. Hopefully you check back periodically and get the opportunity to read this. What more can I say, email me if you want more hate tossed your way. Happy New Year.

Posted by: BigMike at January 2, 2006 08:24 AM

I am amazed at the percentage of readers who actually thought this vehicle was intended as a combat vehicle. The article VERY CLEARLY says that it is to be used to test COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT at NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE. It was very clear to me that the VEHICLE is NOT intended to do anything other than carry the equipment around while the EQUIPMENT is being tested. Please people, read before you post. This is way better than pulling an armored vehicle out of the fight just to some equipment that may, someday, be put inside another vehicle.

Posted by: Tim at December 31, 2005 01:31 PM

Read more thouroughly and maybe you'll understand.

PFC-USMC

Posted by: PFC at December 30, 2005 10:13 PM

It's pretty sad the sheer number of people in the comments section who apparently have little to no reading comprehension skills. It doesn't make the rest of us look any better when fellow Americans open their ignorant mouths before absorbing the full details of the situation.

Posted by: z0mbi at December 30, 2005 03:46 PM

I work on the program and I would like to make it clear that these vehicles are intended to be used as a mobile C4 test platform only. We will be testing C4 only and not actual vehicle platforms. Hummers were chosen because of the huge space requirements for the current COTS based software development platform as well as multiple develpmental comms systems. The decision was made to strech them to accomidate two extra seats. These extra seats allow for four operator stations so we can test the software in a future C2V configuration.

Posted by: anon at December 30, 2005 06:55 AM

Let me address many of the comments made. Maybe there were only three or four of us who read the article in it's entirety and noticed that the vehicle is only being used as a test platform and is not being sent into combat. I for one am glad that Boeing is using commercial HMMWVs to be a test vehicle so we are not pulling a Stryker, Buffalo or Rino off the line for R&D when they are so badly needed in Iraq. There are radios and other types of commo equipment that are vehicle mounted and do not require external power or dishes for sattalite communication. I assume there are more systems in development that are like these. My first tour in Iraq our Company C2 vehicle had 2 SINGAR radios, 1 FM radio and 2 SatCom systems installed. Needless to say it was cramped but necessary since everywhere you went they were using something else and we had to be able to communicate with them. Fortunitally when I did my second tour 8 months later the military has gotten their commo straightened out so most places are on SINGAR or MTS.

Sickmind

It is often far better to make a wrong decision than no decision.

Posted by: Dave Copeland at December 30, 2005 04:30 AM

Might be nice to take me to the officer's club on a CONUS post. It would be better with champagne and a hot tub. In a combat zone, I am not interested in riding this elephant. Frankly, I doubt this will get past the test phase. Everyone knows we need the Rhino armored vehicles.

Posted by: MAJ_Jim at December 29, 2005 11:28 PM

The real answer isn't uparmored and stretched HumVees but something that is already available and battle proven. The US need not waste more funds on experiments and instead take into consideration the lessons learned by other nation's forces. In this case, the US would be better off reconfiguring some of their old battle tanks into such comm vehicles. Similar to those heavily armored APCs the Israelis made from captured Soviet-made tanks.

We here in the Philippines are experiencing similar problems. And when the sides are protected from IEDs the rebels invest on land mines.

Posted by: Richard Yu at December 29, 2005 11:15 PM

it may not be as bad as it seems,we trust our lives to them every day "even though it sounds stupid" but they maybey used for convoy tansportation which intern would make alot of sense

Posted by: r. parker at December 29, 2005 09:04 PM

Well I will say i dont have all the Tech data but upon intial review I have say "ARE YOU SERIOUS". My thoughts are you might want to call it the "Body Bag". I mean if you intend to use it way behind the rear with gear or for dignataries fine have fun, But this is ubsurd lets see it is incredible subsupital to IED attack, crap for mobility completely impractcle for combat enviroment.Did you plan on painting a target on this vehicle because just by its easily identified construction it makes a target thats hard to miss.I am confused I have great faith in boeing and over the years thay produced exelence in technoligy. This is why I am amazed that crucial Research and Devolpement dollars have been allacated for this. I have no problems even with a way out never been tried before unknown ideas that is what is what research and devolpement is for but give me a break. Might I sugest an Armored Car desighn with next generation armoring and advanced electronics that will enhane abillity and maintain acceptable combat survibility. I as a nobody but still for what its worth. This one mans opinnion with nothing in mind but the servicemembers who will serve with this equipment would like to state we all have a duty to provide are forces with the best equipment and traing the world has to offer. Lets not put them in a rolling "body bag".Just a word of advise when you desighn a new system every day remember why and what it is for and imagine your loved ones such as your father,mother,son,daughter being tasked with the operation of this equipment you have desighned. Because it is the the Mothers,Fathers,Sons,and daughters of America that will be operating these pieces of equipment. Thank You GOD Bless and good luck.

Sincerly
Gregory A Mangrum

Posted by: Gregory Mangrum at December 29, 2005 07:14 PM

So how about Boeing outfitting a stronger Humvee that our guys are already using in Iraq (my son included?) Last word was that the I.E.D.'s are now capable of priecing the armor that is presently applied to them. Sounds a whole lot more economically feasable to me. They don't need a big showboat target there by any means.

Posted by: sgtkymee at December 29, 2005 05:29 PM

For those of you how are agreeing with this report, the main issue you need to be thinking about is how are you going to take care of the comm. gear and more important the men/women inside. I have just got back from Iraq, where I up armored the HUMVEE's. The armor that we where putting on gave a 360 protection for the men inside. We put armor on comm. vech. of all kind, which is now keeping Marines alive. What is killing the men on the battle field today. It is not the shorlder fire weapon but the IED's on the side of the road that is killing them. With a bigger target as a stretch HUMVEE, the bad guys will have a better chance of sitting off the IED on target. You also say that VIP's would ride in them they we need to make sure that thier SGLI is up to date. This is a very bad Idea. Keep the pretty stuff at home and send over the gear that can get the job done.

Posted by: Will at December 29, 2005 05:19 PM

Its about time we got on the track toward what we all really need... an up-armored Winnebago on a half-track chassis.

Posted by: Kevin Paulus at December 29, 2005 10:44 AM

One hopes their stand-in status will take into account that the basic civilian Hummer is NOT the structurally tough, tactically equipped equivalent of our HUMMV.

I only hope the completed "limosines" are tough enough to withstand their intended use.

Posted by: robert walton at December 29, 2005 09:38 AM

Really? Come on..... This type of vehicle is in Las Vegas, and should stay in Las Vegas. The public pays over $75 an hour to ride in one of these. What is the Military thinking of. War is not to bling like Las Vegas. I can see it now, troops hanging out of the sunroof. Party!!!!!!
STUPID......

Posted by: Silvija at December 29, 2005 02:36 AM

Before I comment about the stretch HUMVEE in the article, I'll first point out that I was in the Marine Corps as a 4066 (small computer system specialist) from 1995 to 1999. I only mention this so that I can convey my thoughts without everyone dismissing my arguments assuming I don't have a clue what I'm talking about.

Now about the stretch HUMVEE idea: I think it's retarded. It's not a bad idea for reason that it would be a big "target" because these types of vehicles don't drive around in operation mode. You park them at command or strategic point, which are undoubtedly heavily defended.

There are several reasons why the idea is "what's the god damned point?!" (for lack of a better description). First of all, we (or at least the Marine Corps) already use HUMVEEs for comm and computer networking purposes. We mount hardened shelters on the back of the Hummers. I concede that there isn't as much room as there would be in a limo-stlye HUMVEE. However, if more room is require, a 5-ton truck can easily fill the role in a pinch.

You might argue that a 5-ton isn't as maneuverable as a HUMVEE. You'd be right, unfortunatley, you'd be hard pressed to convince me that a limo-hummer is any more maneuverable than a 5-ton.

Not only that, but maneuverability isn't really a strong selling point when it comes to the type of computer, comm, and networking gear you'd put in these things anyway.

For one thing, in order to operate the equipment within, the shelter in the vehicle needs to be powered by a towed generator. Both the generator and HUMVEE need to be grounded before operations begin. These types of vehicles don't operate on the move.

Secondly, for networking purposes, a 5-ton or second HUMVEE would need to follow you around with a microwave or satellite dish that would also need to be deployed (which is a relatively time consuming task in itself).

I just don't see how a limo sized HUMVEE would be anymore useful that the vehicles we're already using. But that's just my opinion. I'm sure some 3 star in a air conditioned office somewhere, whose brain child this belongs to, can come up with a suitable argument for why it'd be cool.

Posted by: captainzero at December 29, 2005 02:33 AM

Did anyone actually READ the article?
The stretched Hummers are stand-ins for a future design of communications vehicle. As such, they are to be wargamed to find strengths and weaknesses BEFORE committing funds to build the newer designs.
Seems like a relatively low-cost solution to prototyping a future vehicle by using a commercially available product rather than a one-off custom built prototype to me.

Posted by: j.pickens at December 29, 2005 12:56 AM

I am Not at all impressed with this limo version. First of all i am an Army Vet second I´m a contractor that repairs military vehicles of all types wheel and fully tracked. Last i do strongly believe that this new version is wrong for today and the future of combat unless you want to put some VIPs in it to view combat from a safe distance.

Posted by: Floyd D. Burgoz at December 28, 2005 11:58 PM

LAN PARTY(in a hummer)!

Posted by: anion at December 28, 2005 11:33 PM

Good idea bad execution. I think the first thought should be on troop safety not cost. Lets face it, Things are still not docile by any means. The ability to provide an even larger target, paired with the fact the appearance is about as suttle as a chainsaw leads me to believe the camoflage paint should be replaced with flourescent letters saying "PICK ME, PICK ME!"
Lets take the time to get this right. Our men and women are staking their lives on it.

Posted by: flameout_291 at December 28, 2005 10:20 PM

For those that are disagreeing with this report, you must not be in the military. I have spent my time in Afghanistan with a humvee; they are great vehicles and have better handling and function in those situations overseas then a Pick-up truck does. The pick-up is cheap, but more complex to repair and cost a lot more money to repair then the humvee will in a life time.
A second point, the stretched out Humvee is better for computers and comms. due to the fact that the humvee will have better handling, stibility "on-the-go", as well as manueverability due to the fact that the 5 ton trucks that Comms people use now are no were near any of that then the humvee.
If you are not in the military, do your homework first before you make a comment about the humvee or any other vehicle in the military; that is why the U.S. is one of the greatest militaries in the world. We actually spend the money in order to be on the ball with our game.

Posted by: Michael P. Robbins II at December 28, 2005 09:56 PM

Madness...I say it is madness.
The US already has vehicles that supply computer and extras.
This is nothing more than a ploy to cheat the Gov't from money or to bid for a gov't contract...(cheat by charging high prices for litttle or nothing, then turn around and say we need more time and money to develope this so called new hummer.)

I see the Limo-Hummer Vehicles all around NYC.
They are a waste. They are difficult to manuver around turns. They have no speed, No stealth.
They are are replicas of dying dinosaurs. They are instant moving grave yards for our soldiers.
They get very little mileage per the gallon.
Boeing has the nerve/guts/audacity to make these things while our grunts,troops,soldiers are dying in Iraq for Democracy and OIL.
Snap out of it!!!!!

Posted by: Don at December 28, 2005 07:59 PM

Unbelievable. Life imitating art. Our military can't supply "combat" vehicles, so the Air Force buys crappy civilian caricatures of *old* military vehicles, at stratospheric prices, then stretches them some more.

Most of the world's armies are using Toyota pickups in place of "jeeps" (at 1/4 the price of a so-called "hummer." It's no surprise that the US Air Force didn't get the memo...

Posted by: dave at December 28, 2005 06:21 PM

I agree with Tim, did you read the article? These are stand in Command and Control vehicles for exercises to support the Future Combat Systems development for the Army. Boeing had then stretched to fit more computers and comm gear for the exercise, not for a hot tub and mini-bar (although a mini-bar would be very handy in Nevada in August!)

I am just glad Boeing used local companies in Southern Calif. near their integration facility and did not ask GM to make a custom version of the HMMWV at a probably astronomical cost. Ask yourself what even a stripped down Bradley fighting vehicle or a Stryker would cost.

You may not agree with the FCS approach or the need for FCS, but this acquisition makes sense to me. At least they are adding air conditioning for the comm guys.

See www.army.mil/fcs/ for what FCS is doing if you are following it and http://www.army.mil/fcs/factfiles/c2v.html for the C2 vehicle the HMMWV is standing in for.

Posted by: Andy at December 28, 2005 02:05 PM

Personally I think it just makes for a bigger target -_- Com. vehicle or not, a limo just makes a bigger target with far less ability to move around the field. Secondly, one well-placed explosion in the midsection of the body and the thing is in two halves (free computers anyone?). Dumb idea.

Posted by: yme369 at December 28, 2005 02:00 PM

Once again a waste of money big time. No concern for our troops protection. Anyone notice that 3 trillion dollars of tax payer monies has been misused by our goverment this year. Here's another prime example.

Posted by: Kim at December 28, 2005 01:05 PM

Did you all miss the point? These hummers were extended not to make them luxury limos, rather to make them BIGGER. Making room for computers and comm gear, the existing hummers arent big enough, thats why they hired a limo company to stretch the hummers. I don't think they were adding velvet drapes and track lighting to a commmand and communication vehicle.

Posted by: Tim at December 28, 2005 11:47 AM

The "luxury" SUVs in Kuwait are cheaper than a hummv, in almost every case-they should be in low end pickups however.

Posted by: max at December 28, 2005 10:35 AM

Incredible. I'm not sure what the intended application is, but it's a heck of a hack job.

Mike
http://www.quicktrivia.com

Posted by: Mike at December 28, 2005 10:28 AM

Instead of wasting valuable time and money on luxury fighting vehicles, wouldn't it make more sense to invest tax payers dollars on creating better armor protection that preserves the lives and limbs of our troops in the field.

As a former 91B20 Army Medic, if the leadership in Washington D.C. would place their hands directly on an severed artery of an injured soldier, they might have a different perspective. However, I understand that would be inconvenient as they are a bit too busy planning their next dinner engagement.

Posted by: Terry at December 28, 2005 10:00 AM

Yes once again a waste of money just like a CSM driving around a Dodge Durango with a Hemi in it over in Kuwait as well as some of the rest of the officers driving around those nice luxery SUVs. Far as I am concerened all they need is a HUMV just like the rest of us that were there just like it used to be back in the 60s where the Generals would ride is the old jeeps. This is nothing more than another DOG and Pony show and for who Im sure not impressed and actually I have never been impressed with a Humv and sure as the hell am not impressed with it being a limo.
STOP WASTING THE AMERICANS TAX MONEY
LETS WAKE UP AMERICA

Posted by: Josh at December 28, 2005 09:38 AM

Now we can ride in true style no more cattle trucks... hoorah!!!

Posted by: Enlisted at December 28, 2005 08:32 AM

The first time that thing goes over a 14" curb it is mired.Maybe they are going to Nellis to get some lifting bodies attatched to the under carriage to get it out of those "ruts"

Hoot

Posted by: HootLTC at December 28, 2005 08:22 AM

Stretched Hummers? Well of course.....but you did say Nellis AFB...... Maybe they'll go to that place that doesn't exist!!.....hmmmm Yep, that's it, the same mentality and waste of money! Gee once we become a total "consumer nation" who'll be manufacturing this crap for us? ....Oh, yeah, sorry CHINA!!!

Posted by: CW2 at December 28, 2005 07:44 AM

"It's the Air Force. Did you expect them to use an ordinary Hummer?"

Posted by: Herb

Herb, if it's the Airforce why didn't they install wings on the Hummers?

Posted by: Toejam at December 28, 2005 07:37 AM

Valley Girl, she's a Valley Girl. Whatever!!!

Posted by: Herb at December 28, 2005 06:18 AM

It's the Air Force. Did you expect them to use an ordinary Hummer?

Posted by: Herb at December 28, 2005 06:16 AM

Seriously, you weren't serious, were you?

I'm sure this has to be a spoof. I mean, what else could it be.

Posted by: mrBill at December 28, 2005 06:01 AM

Why not, One would have to look at what the next vehicle is suposed to be for and how it is to be used to acomplish it. The talking watch was sure a laughing matter once. Do you hve a cell phone? Don't just look at the clothes and forget aobut who is wearing them. It does seem a little dumb though.

Posted by: kelty at December 28, 2005 05:26 AM

You would think that better armor and overall gear for troops would be more important then some dumb shit like this that they could just as easily convert existing vehicles for. But then again, if you dont spend it this year, you wont get more next year..flat out dumb...

Posted by: OIF & OEF VET at December 28, 2005 12:41 AM

Another dog and pony show back here in the states,............and in other news, soldiers are still being shot and blown up in the middle east.

OIF vet

Posted by: anonymous at December 27, 2005 11:58 PM

Practically, I imagine they'd make a somewhat more comfortable mobile command post than a command APC, which tend to be cramped. If there's no need for the C3 crew to be surrounded by 5cm of armour plating, they'd just as soon not be. That said, it may just be generals with Napoleon complexes, if you catch my drift.

Posted by: Sierra Mike Mike at December 27, 2005 11:32 PM

Fucking Stupid

Posted by: randal at December 27, 2005 09:21 PM

Good Morning Folks,

The silly season is upon us even before the New Year has started. I guess if Boeing et. all can't make a buck on show and tell, well Senior Prom season is only five months away.

Hey make a buck where ever you can.

ALLONS,
Byron Skinner

Posted by: Byron Skinner at December 27, 2005 02:10 PM

No mini-bar, but they do have leather seats and drink-holders, which has generated some amusement. One general saw the chrome wheels and pitched a minor fit. There's also some concern that these commercial (rather than military) vehicles won't hold up well when they get to Nellis.
But they'll look great on I-15!

Posted by: anonymous at December 27, 2005 02:03 PM

Do they have a mini-bar? Because that would really be a nice feature on those long convoy escort missions.

Posted by: James at December 27, 2005 01:02 PM