Humvee era coming to end

[KenP]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,431102,00.htm

QUANTICO, Va. ? The Pentagon is inching closer to replacing the Humvee ? once called the "jeep on steroids" and currently the vehicular backbone of U.S. military operations in Iraq ? with the latest lightweight tactical vehicle under development.

The Defense Department next month is expected to select at least three of the seven competing teams to advance to the next phase of a multibillion-dollar competition to build a lighter, more agile tactical vehicle that can withstand roadside bombs and explosive devices.

Like the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, or MRAPs, urgently requested by the Pentagon more than a year ago, the lightweight vehicles will be equipped with V-shaped hulls to protect soldiers from the latest urban threats, while still providing maneuverability and speed.

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