Oshkosh Corporation, announced that its Defense division delivered two production-representative MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) to the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for military evaluation.

The mission-proven Oshkosh M-ATV meets the survivability and mobility requirements of the warfighter for Afghanistan. The U.S. Armed Services have an urgent need requirement for M-ATVs to be used in the harsh conditions of Afghanistan. The M-ATV contract has a potential award value of $2 billion.

The Oshkosh M-ATV boasts commonality with the Department of Defense’s fleet of Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR), Palletized Load System (PLS), Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) and current Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The result is an Oshkosh vehicle that is mature, nondevelopmental and cost-effective for U.S. Armed Services, allowing for parts availability within the logistics system and probable, high readiness levels.

“The two Oshkosh M-ATVs delivered to Aberdeen offer unmatched survivability and off-road mobility, and incorporate existing military-tested components that make it the best value to the government and the taxpayer,” said John Stoddart, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “These vehicles need to operate in some of the most rugged terrains in the world. An accelerated yet effective durability test will prove the Oshkosh M-ATV to be the most reliable and mobile vehicle available for the military’s urgent need to navigate the extreme terrain in Afghanistan.”

To ensure superior protection and survivability, Oshkosh is partnered with Plasan North America to provide the Oshkosh M-ATV’s armor system, which is in place on 5,000 current MRAP vehicles and the Armored Cab MTVRs and has saved lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The vehicle also will feature Oshkosh’s signature TAK-4 independent suspension system for exceptional off-road ride quality and durability to meet the essential mobility capability not available in the current MRAP fleet. Oshkosh pioneered all-wheel drive for off-road mobility over 90 years ago and continues to offer the best off-road mobility for tactical wheeled vehicles.

Oshkosh offers low life-cycle costs, and the company’s pre-contract investments have resulted in lowered risk and accelerated production readiness. In addition, Oshkosh Defense Aftermarket provides global logistics support and in-theater refurbishment services, which reduces vehicle shipping costs for servicing and allows for faster returns to the field.

Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection.

Oshkosh Defense
25.02.2009