Money means nothing when you're talking about the Department of Defense. That's what I came to conclude more than a decade ago, when I was in the midst of my Master's degree that dealt with defense, logistics, WMDs, and spook stuff. Money is a throwaway concept when you're playing in the biggest sandbox around.
That's why we have cool shit flying in the skies like the F-22 Raptor, DARPA developing all sorts of weird and wild things, the internet where you're reading this right this very second, and a laundry list of other items that might not be in the public's best interest but are still rad as hell. It's also why the Pentagon hasn't been able to complete an audit in years, as no one has the will, political or otherwise, to actually sit down and see where American taxpayers' money is going.
We do, however, know that the contract between the Department of Defense and General Motors just got a whole lot more expensive for the company's UTV-ized pickup, the Infantry Squad Vehicle Utility(ISV-U). How much more expensive, you ask? Well, previously, that bill was for $220 million. Now it's nearly a cool billion with a "B".
And it's all because the feds want changes and some new accessories for the skeletonized pickups.
According to the Detroit Free Press, "The Department of War has modified its contract with General Motors’ defense business line to make engineering changes for the Infantry Squad Vehicles and accompanying winch kits. The $697.7 million modification brings GM Defense’s contract with the government to make vehicles 'cumulative face value' to $915,597,166, the military agency said Sept. 21."
Based on the Colorado ZR2 pickup, the ISV-U is meant to replace the Department of Defense's aging Humvee fleet, along with a host of other models, and to perform a variety of jobs. Some are the UTV-style open-cab pickups we've seen numerous times, others are enclosed and are designed for when temperatures cool. Part of the updated contract actually specifies those needs, with things like a windshield, defroster, a heater, and a full enclosure option to be made available.
Basically, the DOD wants a truck after telling GM it wants a UTV. I can now see why that audit would fail...
"The Utility variant is built to support logistics requirements and can integrate multiple mission packages including command and control, fire support, electronic warfare, counter-drone, and other future mission packages," said GM Defense's Erica Mitchell when she spoke with the Detroit Free Press.
Right now, the contract is for about 10,000 ISV-Us, but depending on how the military utilizes them, that number could increase, especially if they're already customizing them for future uses.
