13 Oct 15. BATTLESPACE Editor Julian Nettlefold visited Oshkosh Defense at AUSA to discuss recent developments in the JLTV Protest and see new products.
“We cannot discuss the JLTV Protest by Lockheed Martin which we expect to be resolved by December but we remain confident that we will retain the JLTV selection. However we can show you our winning JLTV vehicle and our new 6×6 M-ATV Technology Demonstrator vehicle.” Jennifer Christiansen, Vice President Business Development said.
JLTV PROGRAMME
In August 215 The U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) awarded Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, a $6.7 billion firm fixed price production contract to manufacture the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).
The JLTV program fills a critical capability gap for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps by replacing a large portion of the legacy HMMWV fleet with a light tactical vehicle with far superior protection and off-road mobility. During the contract, which includes both Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and Full Rate Production (FRP), Oshkosh expects to deliver approximately 17,000 vehicles and sustainment services.
“Following a rigorous, disciplined JLTV competition, the U.S. Army and Marine Corps are giving our nation’s Warfighters the world’s most capable light vehicle – the Oshkosh JLTV,” said Charles L. Szews, Oshkosh Corporation chief executive officer. “Oshkosh is honored to be selected for the JLTV production contract, which builds upon our 90-year history of producing tactical wheeled vehicles for U.S. military operations at home and abroad. We are fully prepared to build a fleet of exceptional JLTVs to serve our troops in future missions.”
The JLTV program provides protected, sustained and networked light tactical mobility for American troops across the full spectrum of military operations and missions anywhere in the world. The JLTV production contract awarded to Oshkosh includes a base contract award and eight option years covering three years of LRIP and five years of FRP. Oshkosh will begin delivering vehicles approximately ten months after contract award.
“Because of the JLTV program, our Soldiers and Marines are getting a level of technical performance that no other vehicle can match,” said U.S. Army Major General (Retired) John M. Urias, executive vice president of Oshkosh Corporation and president of Oshkosh Defense. “Our JLTV has been extensively tested and is proven to provide the ballistic protection of a light tank, the underbody protection of an MRAP-class vehicle, and the off-road mobility of a Baja racer. The Oshkosh JLTV allows troops to travel over rugged terrain at speeds 70% faster than today’s gold standard, which is our Oshkosh M-ATV. Looking to future battlefields, we know that our troops will face a myriad of threats. Soldiers and Marines can be assured that the highly capable Oshkosh JLTV will perform the mission.”
The JLTV Family of Vehicles is comprised of two variants, a two seat and a four seat variant, as well as a companion trailer (JLTV-T). The two seat variant has one base vehicle platform, the Utility (JLTV-UTL). The four seat variant has two base vehicle platforms, the General Purpose (JLTV-GP) and the Close Combat Weapons Carrier (JLTV-CCWC).
“The Oshkosh JLTV combines the latest in automotive technologies, the Oshkosh Core1080™ crew protection system, and the Oshkosh TAK-4i™ intelligent independent suspension system to provide the world’s fastest, most protected light military vehicle. Oshkosh leveraged its extensive experience producing and sustaining more than 150,000 heavy, medium and protected MRAP vehicles for the U.S. and its allies.” Dave Dierson, Director Defense Programs – JLTV said. “The Oshkosh JLTV will revolutionize how our Soldiers and Marines get to the fight,” “It has been extensively tested and is proven to provide the ballistic protection of a light tank, the underbody protection of an MRAP-class vehicle, the network capability of a mobile command center, and the off-road mobility of a Baja racer. Looking beyond today’s requirements, our JLTV was designed with room for future requirements as operating environments may rapidly evolve.”
“What is the current Program for JLTV?” The Editor asked.
“Assuming the Protest is not upheld we will commence production of 17,000 JLTV vehicles next year for a 3 year period. At the same time there will be an ongoing testing Program which will cover 5 years. Any additional technology requirements or engineering changes will be automatically added to the vehicle specification.” Dave Dierson said.
U.S. Soldiers and Marines can expect:
* A vehicle 1/3 smaller and lighter than the Oshkosh M-ATV
* Off-road speeds 70 percent faster than today’s gold standard, the M-ATV
* A modular design that can be quickly and efficiently outfitted for a full range of missions
* Fully transportable by sea or air, such as C130, CH-53 and CH-47
* Network ready and VICTORY compliant
* Superior ride quality
6X6 M-ATV TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR VEHICLE
“What was the reasoning behind the development of the M-ATV 6×6?” The Editor asked John Bryant, Senior Vice President Defense programs.
“It’s never been more important for troops to have vehicles that effectively balance protection, payload, modularity and mobility to carry out missions in any environment or threat level. The M-ATV offers our current customers an alternative to 8×8, at about half the price or armoured trucks at an affordable price with the additional benefits of common components and our international supply chain. The M-ATV was developed specifically to allow soldiers to travel off road in Afghanistan, thus avoding IED threats. The M-ATV 6×6 gives the same cross-country manoeuvrability and with the addition of all-wheel steer gives it the agility to get through tight roadways and passes. ” John Bryant said. “The M-ATV 6×6 Technology Demonstrator was developed to transport a full squad with their required mission equipment and provide more power on the battlefield – all while maintaining MRAP level protection and off-road mobility.”
The Oshkosh M-ATV 6×6 Technology Demonstrator is multi-mission ready, allowing crews – whose roles may rapidly change – to have the right vehicle to perform that mission. The combined benefits from the TAK-4® independent suspension and the M-ATV 6×6’s all wheel steer enables maneuverability across any type of terrain on the modern battlefield.
The Oshkosh M-ATV 6×6 Technology Demonstrator on show was configured in a C4I configuration with e DRS LRAS targeting system installed.
In 24-hour reconnaissance and surveillance missions, heavy battalion and regional scouts never have to risk moving into the direct-fire range of the threat under observation. LRAS3 arms users with everything from forward-looking infrared detectors and global positioning technology to real-time detection, recognition, identification and pinpointing of distant target locations — even in pitch black, or obscured conditions, like fog, rain or smoke.
GMV REQUIREMENTS
“Are you bidding the lighter GMV vehicle-type Requirements?” The Editor asked Jennifer Christiansen.
“Yes we have our S-ATV Range of vehicles which we see as able to meet all the expected specifications in the forthcoming RFI.” Jennifer Christiansen said. “The Oshkosh Defense® Special Purpose All-Terrain Vehicle (S-ATV) fulfills the greater demands of Reconnaissance and unconventional missions. The S-ATV was built to provide the advanced performance needed for Special Reconnaissance, Counterinsurgency Operations, Long Range Surveillance, Site Seizure and Direct Combat.”
The S-ATV world-class suspension system has been proven to maximize mobility over the most rugged off-road terrain. And its lightweight configuration was specifically designed to allow both external and internal helicopter transportability.
The S-ATV’s systems engineering approach delivers the utmost in operational flexibility. It features plug and play C4I capacity, integrated ready mounts for a multitude of armaments and ballistic and blast protection upgrades – all in one modular, rapidly reconfigurable and extremely capable platform.
Designing the high-performance vehicle solution Warfighters can rely on. Today and into the future. The Oshkosh Defense S-ATV.
* Provides extreme off-road mobility, air transportability and adaptability
* Based on a modular, rapidly reconfigurable platform
* Features plug and play C4I, ready mounts for various armaments and ballistic and blast protection upgrades
UK MRV(P) REQUIREMENT
“It was rumoured that the UK MoD would consider the winning JLTV vehicle for part of its MRV(P) Programme?” the Editor asked Jennifer Christiansen.
“We don’t know that for a fact but we are confident that our JLTV vehicle will be considered for the ‘B’ Series of vehicle required by the UK MoD. “We are not offering our ambulance vehicle for that part of the requirement.”
“I hope to see you at DVD to discuss this further?”
“Sadly, we have decided not to exhibit at DVD next year but we will be at Eurosatory.” Jennifer Christiansen continued.
Oshkosh also introduced a New Advanced Driver Assist Systems
At AUSA, Oshkosh also introduced the Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) kits for any vehicle platform to help troops operate their vehicles safely in harsh conditions and difficult terrain. The Oshkosh ADAS kits use intelligent technologies to help increase driver control and response – during both peacetime and combat operations. The Oshkosh ADAS has three levels of performance:
* ADAS Tier 1: A camera-based technology that allows the vehicle to see where drivers cannot. Active alerts enhance driver awareness to mitigate collisions.
* ADAS Tier 2: Electronic Stability Control kit and radar-based technologies assist drivers with an additional layer of active safety. Tier 2 includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) to maintain a following gap with a lead vehicle and Collision Mitigation Braking (CMB) to help slow the vehicle if a crash is imminent.
* ADAS Tier 3: Equips drivers with comprehensive technologies for accident avoidance. Tier 3 combines all of the technologies from Tier 1 & Tier 2, making it Oshkosh’s most comprehensive safety solution.