Who'd a thunk it would be IH bringing back louvers? I figured Mercury... how bout a Scout 880 next?

They park different variations of these armored trucks right next to where I work, these are the coolest looking ones, but the Force Protection ones are safer.

What, no chrome rims?

Hey, I'm down for anything that's gonna keep the boys and girls across the water safer from ied's...god bless 'em

About 6 years too late, I'm afraid.

I've always thought Humvees were a terrible compromise of a general-purpose vehicle: overbuilt for just carrying 4 guys around, but underbuilt for combat patrol.

They've needed an up-armored medium duty chassis for a while now.

The world is slowly turning into Escape From New York. I think Snake Plisken was running away from a black one of these back in 1981

Um... I think you mean fording bodies of water as deep as 36 INCHES. It's not a submarine! Although that would be cool.

@DokterDitka: Snake Plisken? I thought he was dead.

I was completely excited when I read 36 feet, then I read the press release and became disappointed. 36 inches isn't even that much when you come down to it. That's only what, the top of the wheel arches?

Hello evening commute!

I'm now observing the fielding of these MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles in a place far from Chicago. They serve a purpose, much like you said: mobile bomb shelter.
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It's also true, as Mad_Science says, HMMWV's were a compromise. Short history: Jeep expired from the inventory, some Dodges and GMC's replaced them in an interim status (CUCV's/Blazers). Then came the HMMWV; not a bad vehicle, but typical with government conceived programs, there were compromises. Over the years, changing missions have forced the HMMWV to compromise further. When once it was light, our response to IED's in this war has been increased uparmoring, overweighting the HMMWV and prompting the MRAPs' creation.
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Short tangent, rhetorical question: in an insurgent fight, is uparmoring the best response and is the MRAP the best platform to have?
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While this MRAP looks incredibly capable, it has drawbacks. Nimble it is not. And while the gradeability and side slope values are good, don't try it unless you have unquestionable grip. And grip can be difficult to keep if you're in a rainy season (which Iraq does have) and there's any mud (which happens quite a bit because water sits on the hardpacked sand). A 58' turning radius doesn't help much, either.
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Summary: good vehicle in the context of its design being a direct response to the threat of IED's. It keeps troops alive against IED's, operates well on hardball roads, in a defensive stance. Ask more and you'll see that this vehicle also has compromises, confirming some things are consistent.
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BTW, did it really say it'll ford 36 feet of water? FYI, troops are advised to leave some plates/seals cracked open. In the event a blast creates overpressure in the cabin, there's a relief valve and eardrums remain intact. If not, bad joujou.

BRING BACK THE TRAVELALL!!!!!

@DSLPWR: "Fording Depth: 36" without preparation"

Typo in the post, but not in the press release

When will they be selling these to soccer moms in Scarsdale?

i love it how Chicago is trying to become the marquee US show, and all we've seen is a bunch of industrial trucks. hilarious. i haven't checked that 'blog' they set up lately, but i can imagine it's hit ludicrous by now. the folks in Peoria must be pushing hard for a new audience.

@DSLPWR: according to my buddy, who drove a troop carrier in Iraq, more armor=better. the insurgents don't stick around for long, so if you survive the initial blast, you're pretty much set.

ITS A BABY BONECRUSHER!

Put 26 inch rims on it, and you've got a perfect Detroit blvd cruiser.

Glad to see that 20 years post- Cold War, the military industrial complex is more vibrant than ever.

I'm pretty sure that's what testosterone looks like in solid form....

That is QUITE an iron pig. And definitely a step in the right direction to protect troops. Disgraceful that they were travelling in places where the IED is the weapon of choice--and they were in vehicles with no bottom shielding.

Look at all those slats...who the heck styled this thing, Steve Saleen?

@michaelthemotorcycle: That's because they know they're outgunned and out-classed. They can either take the troops out with a surprise attack or they can run like hell.

I'm not in favor of the war in Iraq, but our soldiers are top notch in my book.

Reminiscent of vehicles from mad MAXX. Could that be where the name was derived from. I think this would do well on a Resident Evil or Living Dead movie. I could surely level a horde of zombies with this one.