Budget calls for more EFV tests in 2011 - Marine Corps News, news from Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Budget calls for more EFV tests in 2011

The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle may have survived another budget cycle, but the Corps’ top officer doesn’t think it’s ready for primetime just yet.

Under the Pentagon's proposed budget for 2011, the Corps would spend $243 million continuing to research and develop the EFV, down noticeably from the $292 million approved for fiscal 2010, and initial purchases of the vehicle would be delayed until 2012. The Corps had expected to begin that process this year.

The EFV, which is designed to ferry Marines from ship-to-shore, is expected to replace the service’s aging amphibious assault vehicles. The Corps plans to purchase a total of 573 of the seven variants — five personnel and two communications — by 2025.

“Commandant [Gen. James Conway] has carefully assessed the program and he would like to see it continue through a series of experiments, but he is not ready to move forward with the program at this time,” said Rear Adm. Joseph P. Mulloy, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for budget, at a Pentagon briefing Monday.

The $14 billion program has been heavily scrutinized after the EFV failed a milestone operational assessment in 2006. Testing showed at the time that the EFV could operate only 4.5 hours between breakdowns. However, program spokesman Manny Pacheco said it has made significant strides since then.

Conway has repeatedly defended the program despite rising costs, saying the EFV is an asset the Corps simply can’t do without.

Mulloy said the Corps remains committed to the program, but wants to make sure tax dollars are being spent as efficiently as possible.

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