NEWS FROM AUSA
25 Feb 09. Navistar Defense, LLC unveiled a specially designed utility vehicle with Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) level protection today at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Winter Symposium and Exposition. The International® MaxxPro® Wrecker MRAP vehicle allows two- to three-man crews to retrieve damaged or mission-disabled vehicles and carry out other support missions. The new MaxxPro utility variant provides its crew with the same ballistics, mine and Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) protection used on all MaxxPro MRAP vehicles currently in Iraq and Afghanistan. “The Wrecker is another example of what Navistar is capable of configuring from one proven and reliable platform,” said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense. “The Navistar design maximizes the supportability and maintainability of these vehicles with a high degree of commonality of parts among all MaxxPro variants.” In addition to the Wrecker, Navistar also has two new additional recovery MRAP utility variants, the MaxxPro Cargo and the MaxxPro Tractor. All three utility vehicles are built on the company’s flexible International® WorkStar® platform with a MaxxPro Dash cab. The vehicles are powered by MaxxForce™ D 9.3L I6 engines.
“Navistar is committed to the ongoing sustainment of its vehicles and our engineering and manufacturing expertise allow us to rapidly create, modify and deliver vehicles to meet new and evolving mission needs,” said Massicotte. “The MaxxPro Wrecker vehicle demonstrates how Navistar utilizes its network of nearly 1,200 engineers to evolve its vehicle offerings to help protect those operating various missions in theater.”
Since Navistar’s original MRAP contract in May 2007, the company has emerged as one of the leading providers of MRAP vehicles and has been contracted to produce 6,444 units. In the first 18 months of MaxxPro production, Navistar designed and produced six different variants, including the MaxxPro Plus and the lighter more mobile MaxxPro Dash. The company is also currently competing in the new MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program to produce the next generation of MRAP units for Afghanistan.
Feb 09. TriMark Manufacturing based in New Hampton, IA introduced several new products at the AUSA 2009 Winter Symposium and Exposition in Ft Lauderdale FL. TriMark’s Kevin Roths states, “Our involvement in the armored vehicle industry has really expanded just in the past year. We have new systems and products that have been developed specifically for this market and the only way to really show them off is in an exhibit format.” TriMark introduced its COMMANDoor concept which will be featured in a complete and functioning door display. The door fully integrates mechanical blast locks and a primary FMVSS latch with a power-assist actuation and control system to open and close the door for those vehicles with very heavy doors. The inside control handle’s unique 2-axis electromechanical design allows for simple and intuitive hand motions by the soldier to activate the open and close action of the door. Additionally, the door’s power-assist components are modularized to fit in a compact space below the inside door cover. One of the programs offered by TriMark that has gained a quick and appreciative acceptance in this industry is the availability of “modular/kitted” door systems. These systems allow a purchaser to utilize a single product number to purchase everything that will be required in terms of access systems for that door. TriMark showed a new product platform for the armored vehicle market consisting of new exterior door handles and a new internal linkage module, as well as announcing that they have the capability to design and manufacture door support hinges in various duty ratings. mThe new HD Rotational L Handle expands the current TriGuard product offering of exterior and interior door handles. This robust L Handle features modular construction that allows for customi