US Army Unveils Hybrid-Electric Propulsion System

Gary writes to mention that the U.S. Army recently unveiled a new hybrid-electric propulsion system for use in a new line of manned ground vehicles (MGVs). The new line will have eight different variants, all using the same chassis. The unique feature of the new MGVs is that the traditional engine has been decoupled from the drive train and is used only to recharge the battery and power other systems within the vehicle.

Comments

Re:Silence is golden

[Jeremi]

I'm sure you're just annoyed and dismayed that things appear to be turning to shit over there, what with the surge beginning to work, locals turning against the terrorists, and whatnot. But don't worry, little liberal fella! While Iraq may end up being a success for the US (Dang it all to Hell!), the future undoubtedly holds some other thing you can use to justify some more self loathing!

Do you really think Iraq is going to be a success? If so, did you think that 12 months ago, when Iraq was "just turning the corner"? How about 24 months ago, when there were just "a few dead-enders" left? Or 36 months ago, when it was all just a matter of weeks until everything was hunky-dory?

The fact is, there is no military solution in Iraq, only a political one. And right now, the political situation in Iraq is as bad as it's ever been, if not worse. All our military can do is chase insurgents from one province to another and try to keep the lid on the civil war for a bit longer. Perhaps if they're really lucky, they can keep the real shit from hitting the fan until 2009, at which point you can blame the newly elected Democratic president for "losing Iraq". That appears to be Bush's sole exit strategy at the moment.

But if blasting "self-loathing liberals" on Slashdot will make you feel better, go ahead. Just don't expect it to help, and don't expect anything different out of Iraq than what you've been seeing already. There's a difference between "supporting the troops" and "complete denial of reality".

Re:Silence is golden

[gb506]

You're assuming that America is (a) politically willing and (b) physically able to "stay the course" for 10 years.

If you and your ilk march on with your demand for failure, political will may very well fall short - especially if your buddies in the media succeed in squelching a rebound in public support as progress is being made. With an annual GDP of over 13 trillion dollars, physical ability to keep tempo is not in question, it all comes back to political will.

Re:Silence is golden

[Jeremi]

If you and your ilk march on with your demand for failure, political will may very well fall short - especially if your buddies in the media succeed in squelching a rebound in public support as progress is being made. With an annual GDP of over 13 trillion dollars, physical ability to keep tempo is not in question, it all comes back to political will.

I wouldn't say that me and "my ilk" demand failure so much as recognize it when we see it.

As far as whether "progress is being made", or not, don't take my word for it (or the White House's, for that matter): Instead, read what the soldiers themselves are saying.