The Oshkosh MTVR was developed and fielded nearly 10 years ago as a next-generation replacement for the medium tactical fleet for the Marine Corps, particularly for all-terrain missions. The vehicle has more than 400,000 government-tested miles at a 70 percent off-road mission profile, making it ideal for Afghanistan. Many of the MTVRs have more than 70,000 operational miles in Afghanistan and are proving their durability with a 92 percent or better operational readiness rate in theater. The vehicle’s success was recently marked following Oshkosh’s production of the 10,000th MTVR in 2008. The vehicle features an off-road 7.1-ton payload capacity and an on-road 15-ton payload capacity.

The Oshkosh 6x6 MTVR is a purpose-designed military vehicle that uses some commercially proven driveline components to reduce procurement and through-life costs.

For enhanced off-road mobility, the MTVR is fitted with Oshkosh TAK-4 independent coil-spring suspension, which provides front wheels with 406mm of travel and rear wheels with 325mm of travel. A torsionally rigid channel section chassis frame constructed using carbon manganese steel is employed.

The MTVR is dual-rated, with an all-terrain payload of 6.4 tonnes and a primary and secondary roads payload of 13.6 tonnes. Unladen weight of the basic cargo variant (MK23) is 12.6 tonnes.

Motive power is provided by a Caterpillar C-12 six-cylinder diesei developing 425hp coupled to an Allison seven-speed automatic transmission and torque converter and Oshkosh single-speed transfer box.

The cab is of welded aluminium extrusion construction with adhesive bonded aluminium skins. This collapses to allow for air transport by C-130 Hercules. The MK23 cargo variant is transportable underslung by CH-53 helicopters. The MTVR was initially a US Marine Corps programme to replace existing in-service tactical logistic vehicles. Originally envisaged as a vehicle rebuild programme, the MTVR approach was considered more productive in the long term. Oshkosh was awarded the production contract in December 1998 for the initial four MTVR cargo variants.

Including options, this contract called for up to 8,168 MTVRs over five programme years, with final deliveries concluding during 2005. As of April 2004, it was anticipated that about 7,000 vehicles would be delivered under the initial contract, this figure including follow-on dump and wrecker variants.

During 2004, a follow-on MTVR production contract will be awarded with production scheduled to commence in 2005. Production of a HIMARS resup-ply variant will commence in July 2004.

Prototype tractor truck and eight-tonne LHS variants have been produced and a larger four-axle (with reartridem) LHS chassis is under consideration.

From early 2005, Oshkosh will supply 348 MTVR tractor trucks coupled to Magyar semi-trailers to meet the UK Ministry of Defence's Wheeled Tanker requirement.

Seven MTVR variants, including an 8x8, have been offered to meet the UK MoD's 8,500 (approx.) Support Vehicle requirement.

Oshkosh Truck Corporation is the sole supplier of heavy tactical trucks to US armed forces and also produces the HEMTT 8x8,PLS 10x10 and HET 8x8.