Teslas for the Army Today
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By Mackenzie Eaglen & John Ferrari
January 23, 2021
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Re-Compete Can Propel DoD’s Wheeled Fleet into this Decade
Reuters recently broke the news that Apple is developing revolutionary battery technology for electric vehicles, with a source describing the new tech as “like the first time you saw the iPhone.†Subsequent reports were skeptical—at a minimum, Apple has very little direct manufacturing expertise. Still, the tech giant’s decision to push forward in the electric vehicle market, despite established competitors like Tesla, is a reminder of how quickly electric vehicle technology is advancing. Despite a thriving commercial sector, the Department of Defense remains locked into a vehicle fleet with technology from the 1990s.
The U.S. Army's wheeled vehicle fleet represents the best in manufacturing technology from nearly 30 years ago. Once again, the Pentagon has missed the transformation of automotive technology that has already occurred in the civilian sector. This presents a unique opportunity—with low risk, short timelines, and immediate impact—to set a new direction for troops. Given President Biden's priorities to move to cleaner energy, the Army-Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is a natural program from which to launch a greener military. The Army should use the re-compete for its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) to begin bridging the tech gap for the Pentagon’s wheeled vehicle fleet.
https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2021/01/23/teslas_for_the_army_today_657631.html
