ROLL OUT OF JLTV COMPETITORS AT AUSA
By Julian Nettlefold, Editor BATTLESPACE
27 Feb 08. The DoD’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Requirement was centre stage at this year’s AUSA. JLTV is the U.S. military’s next-generation family of tactical wheeled vehicles and trailers, designed to be lightweight and highly-survivable with increased mobility and payload, using technology that is both innovative and practical.
This vehicle will provide the backbone for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps light to medium Requirement from 2012 onwards with an initial Requirement for 63,000. Originally slated to replace all the HMMV inventory of some 180,000 plus, it is likely, like the venerable Land Rover, that both these vehicles will be around for some time to come!
It also will be more mobile, transportable and maneuverable than the mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, or MRAP, being widely deployed in Iraq.
The six JLTV contenders were reticent to discuss their full offerings with BATTLESPACE given that the Requirement documents are due for return by April 14th, thus they were keeping their cards to their chest, particularly the Oshkosh Northrop Consortium who had their vehicle in a secure tent!
However, all contestants said that we could revisit their bids after that period for a full article in the June DVD issue which can compare the OUVS/JLTV Requirements.
What we did glean is the possibility of the UK, Canada and Australia being asked to join the JLTV Programme to fulfil these countries’ Requirements under the UK OUVS and Australia Land 121 Project (delayed). A sum of some $160m is believed to the contract value for the next stage.
REQUIREMENT
The vehicle Requirement is for three Categories:
Cat A requires a very light vehicle configuration with a kerb weight not exceeding 10,750lbs, a Gross Vehicle Weight of 18,200lbs with 4,000lbs of armour and an Appliqué armour kit. The vehicle must be able to carry four passengers under armour at a speed of 76mph cross-country, a common speed for all three variants.
Cat B requires a vehicle configuration with a kerb weight not exceeding 15,560lbs, a Gross Vehicle Weight of 24,000lbs with 4,000lbs of armour. The vehicle must be able to carry six passengers under armour with a payload of 4000lbs
Cat B requires a vehicle configuration the same as Cat B but with the ability to carry a payload of 51000lbs plus armour in various shelters and flat-bed configurations.
All Categories must be able to provide an exportable power requirement of 10Kw with 30Kw onboard power.
Towing capacity is 10,000lbs gross with a 6,000lb payload.
THE PROGRAMME
Each of the six contestants will submit bids by April 14th which be evaluated and a down select to two or three will be made in June 08.
The next funded phase requires the winners to build seven prototypes which will demonstrate capabilities in all three variants with an extra ‘B’ variant to show C2 on-the-move capabilities. These vehicles will be delivered by September 2009. This Phase will run until 2010 when the System Design and Demonstration Phase will be completed and a design chosen.
The final stage is the Production stage where losing competitors can offer their vehicles back into the competition.
THE CONTENDERS
DRS – FORCE PROTECTION
DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., a business unit of DRS Technologies, Inc., and Force Protection, Inc. announced on day one of AUSA that they will team to compete for JLTV.
DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., a business unit of DRS Technologies, Inc. and Force Protection, Inc. announced at AUSA that they will team to compete for JLTV.
DRS Sustainment Systems will serve as prime contractor for the team, providing overall program management and system integration, drawing upon decades of experience in developing and producing subsystems and integrated solutions in ground mobility for the U.S. military.
Force Protection will