June 12,2008: The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan involve lots of driving, much more than military vehicles would get in peacetime. This means stuff wears out earlier, and has to be replaced. Thus this year, the U.S. Army is buying 127 Stryker wheeled armored vehicles, for about $7.9 million each. Trucks are taking a real beating, so 2,862 (FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles) trucks were bought. Several models are involved (both 2.5 and 5 ton class), and average cost will be $290,000 each. The workhorse vehicle for the troops is the hummer (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, or HMWVV), and 3,268 are on order, costing about $183,000 each.

Some of the heavier vehicles, like M-1 tanks, don't roll as much in Iraq any more, and are not worn down as much when they do. But the tanks do have one vulnerable (to wear and tear) component, and that's the engine. So 1,037 new engines are being bought, for about $180,000 each. These are jet engines, or gas turbines, and are rebuilt, as well as replaced. But eventually they wear out, and new ones are needed.