'Fox Report' Investigation

" Fox News investigation. That was originally scheduled to leave this newscast last evening. We had to delay because of breaking news but it certainly does not make this story any less important in fact it is perhaps more urgent than ever. Because it's about the hundreds of United States troops who suffer severe burns in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 800 such injuries since 2003 alone that's according to the united states army. Those injuries are measured in pain written on soldiers' faces in arms and -- rendered useless by fire. And those injuries are also measured in money. Specialists say the cost of treating his severe burn can run into the millions of dollars over a lifetime for one single soldier. But there may be another way a way to prevent more of these injuries and let more soldiers return home safely so why aren't there. The fox -- chief correspondent Jonathan Hunt is here with yet another Fox News exclusive Jonathan what you learn."

" We'll -- this investigation was prompted by a very simple question are our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Getting the best possible protection when we heard about some of the technology available it appeared that Beyonce might be no. So we started digging deeper."

" On May 31 2008. Sargent down Thornhill was on patrol in a humvee in Afghanistan. His vehicle was hit by -- Obama. Carrying an improvised explosive device. The explosion ruptured the fuel tanks on the humvee fire engulfed the vehicle to of his colleagues died. Sargent -- hill suffered severe burns and lost his."

" Both legs and now us mad at him. Brand new person -- night -- figure out exactly how to live like this."

" On August 3 2008 a Fox News crew led by Fox News military analyst colonel Oliver North was in a convoy that was hit by NI -- The humvee containing cameraman Chris Jackson was rocked by the explosion. The fuel tanks again eruption. Fire and getting dealt the humvee colonel north filled the entire incident. This -- nightmare scenario that many soldiers and Marines have experience. And it continues to happen. As insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan to attack American patrols. Their I -- frequently targeting hand breaching the fuel tanks causing devastating bias. Soldiers who have served in those walls told us again and again that the humvee despite all the extra operating added by the Pentagon. Remains the most vulnerable vehicle they use. One soldier told us the fuel tank is the weakest link of that vehicle and that the enemy is very well aware of that. -- greatest fear is getting burned alive he'd said another soldier. The Pentagon and has that they'd fire suppression technology to the humvees crew compartment. And the engine compartment but it is not that they'd fire suppression for the fuel tanks the most combustible -- of any vehicle. And yet the technology is available to protect the fuel tanks on the roughly thirteen thousand humvees. Currently being used for patrols in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two companies in the US make plastic panels weighing less than thirty pans in total. That can be attached to the humvee fuel tank in less than an -- Those panels are filled with a five suppressing the Canada that is released when the panels are shattered by a blossom. And he instantly distinguishes -- five. This video is from an army testament fuel tank with that defiant panels and this is from a fuel tank that has the panel's. The army has also tested it out on a humvee itself although that video is classified. The -- happened on February 1 2006. And Fox News has learned that two days later one of the army's test engineers. Sent an email to a marine colleagues including quiet about the test. The email said. Fuel tank and had a panel what penetrated several times and there was no resulting fire. But nearly three years later those panels which cost roughly 2000 dollars for vehicle. Have not been fitted to a single humvee in either Iraq or Afghanistan. And this despite a formal request in the form of what the Pentagon calls. And operational needs statement from then lieutenant general Ray Odierno and Iraqi oldest 2007. Calling for old vehicles to be fully equipped with fire suppression technology. For all areas including fuel tanks. Pentagon officials say the plastic five panels have cracking problems underneath the low slung humvee. A problem one of the manufacturers acknowledges but claims was 162007. The army also admits that there is always a trade off in choosing how best to protective vehicle. Given the weight and power constraints but officials say the improvements they have major humvees. All for the best solutions."

" The fuel tanks on the -- are not exposed the behind armor protection. And so the most comprehensive thing that we can do is protect the crew compartment and provide armor protection on the sides to keep the fuel tanks from being hit."

" Fox News military analyst major general Bob scales agrees every system design and a combat vehicle was a trade off. There are many different options for -- for fire suppression in the humvee the army is not chosen to use this one. But in my opinion it was a call made by the army and in my opinion it was the right call."

" Colonel Oliver North currently on assignment for Fox News is less convinced and told me by phone with. If the army thinks the -- com and humvees at the onset. They got the wrong question. Republican congressman Joe Wilson also wants more ounces. He first wrote to the secretary of the army in December 2008. A bad fire suppression technology saying quote. There appears to be a lack of significant urgency in providing soldiers a solution that will save lives. His concerns he says remain."

" We can save lives we can avoid maiming. People full life. It's just so easy to do they can be added to vehicles in a matter of hours. That the cost sisters 2000 dollars. -- minimal cost."

" Minimal cost and meantime now hundreds of severe burn victims Sargent full hill among them face years of surgeries and they lifetime of pain. Mike those fuel tank -- panels have lessened their injuries or even save the lives of their colleagues. We can never know beyond its of that but -- every soldier -- Marines still in the walls and I'm for the thousands more who may yet be sent. It seems to us a question -- that is very well with Nazi."

" It really is and that there was a lot of information in that report and it was lengthy and comprehensive and had to be. And if you missed some of that or if you were military friendly and instant seeing it again it's at foxnews.com. Slash -- and you can watch the whole thing start finished great report Jonathan thank you."