Oshkosh Defense Completes 7,500 Miles of M-ATV Testing

(Source: Oshkosh Corporation; issued June 18, 2009)

OSHKOSH, Wis. --- Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is on target to complete 10,000 miles of on- and off-road durability testing of its MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) at the Nevada Automotive Test Center, further proving the vehicle’s endurance through extended operations in challenging environments.

Oshkosh Defense has already performed more than 7,500 miles of independent testing using its own time and resources to identify any possible enhancements that could be made to the vehicle and to ensure it would be ready for operations on Afghanistan’s harsh terrain. Rigorous testing is part of the Oshkosh standard process to make certain its vehicles are ready to withstand the demanding environments in which they operate.

“This is a significant milestone that showcases the durability and off-road capabilities of the Oshkosh M-ATV,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “We are committed to providing the U.S. Armed Forces with a high-performance vehicle that answers the urgent-need requirement in Afghanistan. Our independent testing is helping us accomplish that.”

The testing has confirmed the vehicle’s exceptional off-road performance, which is benefited by the integration of the Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension system, and validated the durability of its entire integrated system. Utilizing vehicle components and technologies that are already in combat, the Oshkosh M-ATV is the most mission-proven option available to the U.S. Armed Forces.

It is based on the combat-tested Oshkosh Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) chassis and features the same C7 engine used on the U.S. Army’s current medium fleet. The vehicle’s superior armor and survivability system was provided by Plasan North America, which contributed the armor for more than 5,000 MRAPs in theater.

The TAK-4 system is the only readily available and theater-tested off-road suspension system used by the U.S. military for this class of vehicle. Oshkosh recently received a contract to equip more than 1,500 MRAPs with TAK-4 suspension and continues to work with the military to evaluate using it on additional MRAP models. The advanced suspension system, which has undergone more than 400,000 miles of government testing, is also featured on the U.S. Army’s Palletized Load System (PLS A1) and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR).

The Oshkosh M-ATV is delivered with the survivability, mobility, mission-proven and production-ready solutions required for Afghanistan. The vehicle is based on a combat-proven chassis that has been successfully operating for years in the most difficult off-road missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world.

Oshkosh Wins $1 Billion Order for 2,244 M-ATV Vehicles

(Source: US Department of Defense; issued June 30, 2009)

Oshkosh Corporation., Oshkosh, WI is being awarded a $1,055,910,053 Firm Fixed Priced Delivery Order Number 0002 under Contract W56HZV-09-D-0111 for the purchase of 2,244 MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATVs), Basic Issue Items, Field Service Representative Support, Equipment, Engineering, Authorized Stocking List Parts Packages and Prescribed Load List parts packages.

The US Army Tank Automotive Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. (ends)


Oshkosh has won the US Army’s M-ATV (MRAP All Terrain Vehicle) competition, and an initial order for 2,244 vehicles worth over $1 billion. (Oshkosh photo)



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Oshkosh Corporation Awarded $1.05 Billion Delivery Order to Supply M-ATV to Soldiers, Marines

(Source: Oshkosh Corporation; issued June 30, 2009)

OSHKOSH, Wis. --- The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced today it has selected Oshkosh Corporation to supply MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) for its fighting forces. Oshkosh has received an initial delivery order from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) for 2,244 M-ATVs valued at $1.05 billion, following months of government testing on multiple production-ready vehicles.

“We are proud that Oshkosh was chosen to provide its M-ATV offering to the U.S. Armed Forces. Our M-ATV design combines the crew protection warfighters have come to expect in MRAP vehicles with the extreme mobility and durability needed to negotiate Afghanistan’s mountainous off-road terrain,” said Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh Corporation chairman and chief executive officer.

“Due to the urgent need of our Armed Forces for a survivable and highly mobile vehicle, our Corporation’s number one priority is meeting the Department’s accelerated delivery schedule of the Oshkosh M-ATV. Oshkosh Corporation will put whatever resources are necessary to meet or exceed the government’s delivery schedule. While we believe we can meet or exceed the government’s current delivery requirements, we intend to enter into discussions with other manufacturers to determine if they can assist in the production of the Oshkosh M-ATV.”

Bohn went on to say, “As we begin supplying our advanced, high-performance vehicles, our full-service aftermarket support network will be available with replacement parts, technical support, and repair or refurbishment services. If demands for technology or component upgrades should arise, our team is ready to deliver.”

Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense said, “Much has already been done to ensure we can meet the government’s delivery schedule. In recognition of the urgent need, we began daily production of Oshkosh M-ATVs on our flexible manufacturing line a few weeks ago. We and our suppliers have already made significant investments in materials and are well positioned to accelerate our manufacturing capabilities.”

The Oshkosh Defense investments, planning and engineering activities, and production of M-ATVs in advance of this award will allow for accelerated delivery of the Oshkosh M-ATV, with initial vehicles available to TACOM LCMC in July.

In order to achieve the off-road mobility that soldiers and Marines need in Afghanistan, Oshkosh integrated its TAK-4 independent suspension system onto the vehicle.

As further testament to the government’s confidence in this suspension system, the company recently received a supply order to equip more than 1,500 legacy MRAPs with the TAK-4 system and continues to work with the Army to evaluate using the system on additional legacy MRAP models. The TAK-4 suspension system is used on more than 10,000 Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVR) supplied to the Marines and Seabees, as well as on the Marines’ Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) and the Army’s next-generation Palletized Load System (PLS).

Oshkosh Defense teamed with Plasan North America for the M-ATV armor system to provide an advanced armor solution. Plasan also developed the armor system used on more than 5,000 legacy MRAPs and thousands of Oshkosh Armored Cab MTVRs already in theater.

Oshkosh performed more than 7,500 miles of independent off-road testing to identify possible enhancements to the vehicle so it would meet or surpass the performance requirements in the rugged terrain in Afghanistan.

Marine Corps Comments M-ATV Contract

(Source: us Marine Corps; issued July 01, 2009)

QUANTICO, Va. --- The Department of Defense announced the award of an initial production delivery order to Oshkosh Corporation for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicle June 30.

This delivery order award effectively ends the Source Selection to produce the M-ATV. The M-ATV is a separate category within the MRAP family of vehicles. Its mission is small unit combat operations in highly restricted, rural, mountainous and urban environments, including mounted patrols, reconnaissance, security, convoy protection, communications, command and control and combat service support. This category will carry up to five personnel – four plus a gunner.

The Defense Department has authority to procure up to 5,244 M-ATVs, as funding becomes available. The indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract is a three-year contract with possible delivery orders up to $3.3 billion for the production, delivery and associated support of the M-ATV.

Under the contract, Oshkosh Corporation will produce and deliver M-ATVs as fast as possible to meet the urgent need in Afghanistan. Oshkosh Corporation is expected to eventually produce up to 1,000 vehicles a month. Oshkosh Corporation plans to reach that monthly mark by December 2009.

It is anticipated that the first M-ATVs will be fielded before the end of the year. These vehicles will be used to complement the other tactical vehicles, including MRAPs, already in the theater of operations.

As part of the MRAP vehicle program, the M-ATV is a high-priority, accelerated acquisition program supporting the Overseas Contingency Operations. It retains the highest possible Defense Priority Rating, DX. The M-ATV program will produce a lighter, more maneuverable off-road vehicle that incorporates MRAP-level protection geared for the rugged terrain of Afghanistan.

The program derived from an urgent and compelling requirement to protect America’s warfighters with a highly survivable and off-road capable vehicle. The program is the result of a Joint Urgent Operational Needs Statement from U.S. Central Command.

“The M-ATV procurement is the result of an extremely comprehensive and rigorous source selection process, which appropriately weighed survivability, mobility, maneuverability, production capability, price and other factors within the context of the urgent need for the procurement,” said Brig.Gen. Michael M. Brogan, commander, Marine Corps Systems Command, and joint program executive officer of the MRAP Vehicle Program.

“The acquisition process determined the most capable and best performing vehicle against stringent survivability requirements. Extensive test and evaluation with volumes of empirical data were produced on which a “best value” decision was based. It was detailed, thorough and fair, and the results have been reviewed by an OSD peer review team made up of senior contracting officials.”

The government used the same fundamental acquisition strategy as the original MRAP program: utilize initial criteria of survivability / mobility (screening for survivability and ability to produce); award IDIQ contracts; live fire test for survivability; use existing MRAP Joint Program Office infrastructure to procure, test, field, train and support the JUONS.

The MCSC Commander believes the M-ATV program will be as successful as the overall MRAP vehicle program. “We have taken delivery of more than 16,190 vehicles since we first released that initial request for proposals in November of 2006,” Brogan said, referring to MRAP.

Ultimately, according to Brogan, the M-ATV is about providing a survivable vehicle to get troops safely through their mission and back to their home base.

“The M-ATV is meant to augment the vehicle fleet so they can transport troops where they need to go safely,” he said. “It’s intended to be a survivable alternative to up armored HMMWVs.”

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Interesting read. Thanks for posting.

MATVs Not Best for COIN Ops


No disrespect to the Col., but I think this is clearly one of those "well, duh" type articles.