Rep. Robert Latta (R-Ohio) applauds Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno for his “unparalleled dedication to the safety of our soldiers,” including providing the most up-to-date equipment.
In his Nov. 15 letter, Latta said he was encouraged to see the Army increasing the number of Double-V-Hull (DVH) Stryker vehicles in the land force inventory, and through the Stryker Exchange Program, convert flat-bottomed Strykers into the DVH variant, “in turn saving countless American soldiers lives across the Afghanistan region.”
Latta also said the program saves “significant resources compared to new construction.”
General Dynamics [GD] produces the Stryker vehicle, as well as the Abrams tank, also part of the work at the Lima, Ohio facility.
The Army last month completed the first vehicle in the Stryker DVH exchange program (Defense Daily, Oct. 16). The program began in response to an Army requirement for more DVH vehicles and to reduce overall vehicle cost–at this point estimated to be 40 percent less– compared to a new vehicle.
The General Dynamics Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima plays an important role in the production and overhaul of the DVH Stryker, he said. “It is imperative that this one of a kind facility and its highly skilled work force is able to remain fully operational.”
Latta concludes by strongly encouraging the Army to continue its soldier safety practice and ensure continuity of the Stryker Exchange Program.