Why don't Humvees (and any other wheeled military ground vehicle for that matter) have ignition keys?
by 
Egao No Genki
ANSWERS: 3
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According to this wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummer_H1 the H1 DOES have an ignition key. I'd assume there are different configurations for different models designed for different purposes... I'd say primary reason to not have a key is when it is 60 degrees below zero and you have two guns in one double-gloved hand and some grenades in the other and you hop into the hummer because some bad guys are going to be allover you in 20 seconds, you don't want to be fumbling through your cluttered flak jacket for keys that you may not even have because some other knucklehead took them with him/her when they last got out. Besides, isn't it just so cool? I've driven a rental Renault that had a credit card and push button start before and loved it. I've also driven construction equipment that didn't use a key. Have to say, there are disadvantages too apparently: http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/052797/patrolma.htm Keys are so outdated. If security is a concern, implant yourself with an RFID chip with an ever morphing decryption key or something. :-) Then you can simply swipe your hand over the dash and vrrooom...
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Have you ever been in a tactical environment? Keys can only be carried by one individual. What do you do if you've got to move and the driver gets blow to bits by an IED or an incoming round. Then to quote Full Metal Jacket---You're in a world of shit. If you issue keys to everyone, then you are violating security protocals. Keys, aside from getting lost--can get bent, broken, and stuck--not something you want to have happen if you have to move NOW! Most military vehicles, including the 998s DO NOT use keys because of one simple fact: Keys get lost. Yes some wheeled vehicles, including 998's DO have keys but generally speaking NOT combat vehicles. It is possible for converted vehicles that had keys to continue to have keys....There are ways to "combat" lock your vehicles" so you can open the hatches from the outside, but, when you're in combat, someone is in or at the controls of your vehicles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I hve seen 998's with keys and without-certainly the commercial models use keys
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RJTRIES has a great answer. I know that in the case of the Humvee there is a cable which is used to lock the steering wheel with a padlock but it is not used on combat missions and only on base in war zones.
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