The US Army has selected an Australian design for its High Mobility Engineering vehicle. This is a 4x4 truck fitted with a front-end loader and back-hoe. The vehicle is designed so that this equipment could be replaced with an auger, forklift, crane, snowplow, compactor, or rock crusher. While the vehicle is basically unarmored, an optional kit allows for add-on armor to protect the crew cab from shrapnel or rifle bullets. The Army is buying 62 of these vehicles as an interim measure, but might go ahead and select it for the future High Mobility Engineering Excavator program (which will run to 1800 vehicles).--Stephen V Cole