DTN News - OSHKOSH DEFENSE NEWS: Oshkosh Defense Receives EMD Contract To Develop JLTV - The Future of Light Tactical Vehicles

DTN News - OSHKOSH DEFENSE NEWS:  Oshkosh Defense Receives EMD Contract To Develop JLTV - The Future of Light Tactical Vehicles

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Oshkosh Defense
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 23, 2012: The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), a contract for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program’s Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase.  The JLTV program aims to replace many of the U.S. military’s aged HMMWVs with a lightweight vehicle that offers greater protection, mobility and transportability.

“The JLTV program is critical to supporting our troops who stand in harm’s way and deserve the best equipment that industry can provide,” said John Urias, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Oshkosh Defense.  “The Oshkosh JLTV solution will allow the Army and Marine Corps to provide unprecedented levels of protection and off-road mobility in a light vehicle – so that their troops can accomplish their missions and return home safely.”

JLTV is managed by the Joint U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps program, under the leadership of the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS).  Under the contract, Oshkosh will deliver 22 Oshkosh-designed and manufactured JLTV prototypes within 365 days of contract award, and support government testing and evaluation of the prototypes. 

Since 2006, Oshkosh has invested significantly in independent R&D to develop its JLTV solution.  Oshkosh employed a generational product development approach that aligned to rapidly evolving technical requirements.  As a result, the Oshkosh JLTV delivers the latest automotive technologies, an advanced crew protection system, and a next generation TAK-4i™ independent suspension system to achieve JLTV performance at an affordable price.  The Oshkosh JLTV is fully tested, ready for initial production, and meets or exceeds the requirements of the JLTV program.

“The Oshkosh JLTV solution was designed with a purpose – to keep Warfighters safe on future battlefields with unpredictable terrain, tactics, and threats,” said John Bryant, vice president and general manager of Joint and Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense.  “Oshkosh has a 90-year history of delivering high quality military vehicle programs on-time and on-budget, and our JLTV program is no exception.  We understand how critical this light, protected, off-road vehicle will be to Warfighters.” 

The Oshkosh JLTV solution, called the Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle, or L-ATV, offers an advanced crew protection system that has been extensively tested and is proven to optimize crew survivability.  The L-ATV can accept multiple armor configurations, which allows the vehicle to adapt easily to changing operational requirements. The L-ATV also applies the Oshkosh TAK-4i™ intelligent independent-suspension system to provide significantly faster speeds when operating off-road, which can be critical to troops’ safety. 

Oshkosh Defense has an unwavering commitment to the men and women who serve our nation.  Notably, Oshkosh was awarded the M-ATV contract in June 2009 on an urgent needs basis.  Oshkosh ramped up production at a historical pace – delivering 1,000 vehicles per month within six months.  Oshkosh delivered more than 8,700 M-ATVs, most of which were deployed in Afghanistan and are credited for saving thousands of troops’ lives. 

“Oshkosh’s M-ATV is the only vehicle in the combat theater in Afghanistan performing the JLTV’s mission profile,” said Bryant. “We delivered more than 8,700 M-ATV’s on-time and on-budget, and Oshkosh will bring the same level of commitment to the JLTV program.”

More information about the Oshkosh JLTV solution is available at http://www.oshkoshdefense.com/jltv.

About Oshkosh Defense

Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical and protected military 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. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.

®, TM All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the cyclical nature of the Company’s access equipment, commercial and fire & emergency markets, especially in the current environment where there are conflicting signs regarding the future global economic outlook; the expected level and timing of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) procurement of products and services and funding thereof; risks related to reductions in government expenditures in light of U.S. defense budget pressures and an uncertain DoD tactical wheeled vehicle strategy; risks that profit on the definitization of contracts with the DoD could differ from the Company’s estimates; increasing commodity and other raw material costs, particularly in a sustained economic recovery; the ability to increase prices to raise margins or offset higher input costs; risks related to the Company’s exit from its ambulance and European mobile medical businesses, including the amounts of related costs and charges; risks related to facilities consolidation and alignment, including the amounts of related costs and charges and that anticipated cost savings may not be achieved; the Company’s ability to produce vehicles under the FMTV contract at targeted margins; the duration of the ongoing global economic weakness, which could lead to additional impairment charges related to many of the Company’s intangible assets and/or a slower recovery in the Company’s cyclical businesses than Company or equity market expectations; the potential for the U.S. government to competitively bid the Company’s Army and Marine Corps contracts; the consequences of financial leverage, which could limit the Company’s ability to pursue various opportunities; risks related to the collectability of receivables, particularly for those businesses with exposure to construction markets; the cost of any warranty campaigns related to the Company’s products; risks related to production or shipment delays arising from quality or production issues; risks associated with international operations and sales, including foreign currency fluctuations and compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; risks related to actions of activist shareholders; and the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this press release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Oshkosh Defense
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DTN News: GM To Shut Down Hummer After Deal Collapses

DTN News: GM To Shut Down Hummer After Deal Collapses * Analyze: GM started to work with Chinese counterpart for sale of Hummer at approx. $ 600 million, negotiation took over 2 years and revised counter-offer was made at $ 150 million. In the interim, during negotiation period Chinese counterpart (Sichuan Tengzhong) were able to grasp info on Hummer and felt GM Hummers are a white elephant (gas guzzler vehicles) and they (Chinese/Sichuan Tengzhong) can produce similar vehicle with better mileage, technology and at half the price of GM HUMMER, no binding of agreements and territories, meaning Sichuan Tengzhong can produce and sell similar vehicles around the globe competitively and R&D costing minimal. China is a sleeping dragon and has cornered foreign exchange reserves of $ 2.4 trillion with its SAR territories Macao and Hong Kong would have one third ($ 3 trillion) of the global total foreign exchange reserves of $ 9 trillion. In conclusion, WATCH OUT FOR THE GIANT SLEEPING DRAGON in the year of the TIGER. By Roger Smith ~ Defense-Technology News/DTN News. *Source: DTN News / AP (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 25, 2010: Hummer, the off-road vehicle that once symbolized America's love for hulking SUVs, has hit a dead end after its planned sale to a Chinese heavy equipment maker collapsed late Wednesday. Heavy equipment maker Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co. pulled out of the deal for Hummer, known for its military-like SUVs, because it was unable to get clearance from Chinese regulators within the proposed deal timeframe, the manufacturer said in a separate statement. GM said it will continue to honour existing Hummer warranties. "We are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed," said John Smith, GM's vice-president of corporate planning and alliances. "GM will now work closely with Hummer employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner." GM has been trying to sell the loss-making brand for the last year and found a suitor in Tengzhong, but resistance from Chinese regulators created difficulties from the start. As recently as Tuesday, private investors were trying to set up an offshore entity in a last-minute effort to complete the acquisition ahead of a Feb. 28 deadline. Hummer, which traces its origins to the Humvee military vehicle built by AM General LLC in South Bend, Ind., acquired a devoted following among SUV lovers who were drawn to the off-road-ready vehicles. But they drew scorn from environmentalists and sales never recovered after U.S. gasoline prices spiked above $4 US a gallon in the summer of 2008. Sales peaked at 71,524 in 2006. But in December 2009, only 325 Hummers were sold, down 85 per cent from the previous year, according to Autodata Corp. Hummer is the second brand after Saturn that GM has failed to sell as part of its restructuring. GM sold Swedish brand Saab to Dutch carmaker Spyker Cars NV earlier this year. Pontiac is being discontinued. GM is focusing its efforts on its four remaining brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick.

DTN News: GTV Completes Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Critical Design Review

DTN News: GTV Completes Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Critical Design Review *Source: DTN News / General Dynamics (NSI News Source Info) STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., - November 8, 2009: General Tactical Vehicles (GTV), a joint venture between AM General, LLC, and General Dynamics Land Systems, formed to compete to develop and produce the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps' Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) this week. GTV is the first JLTV contractor to complete the CDR, a major program milestone which entails a detailed review of the design solutions to the multi-tiered customer requirements for the JLTV family of vehicles. GTV is transitioning into the vehicle and trailer build and test phase for the JLTV units deliverable to the government in the spring of 2010 under its technology development contract awarded last October. Using mature system engineering processes, GTV successfully demonstrated a design approach that balances JLTV requirements and mission capabilities focused on supporting and protecting the Warfighter. These mature and proven processes ensure GTV's JLTV can meet government requirements with flexibility, agility and confidence. The GTV CDR follows the recent early delivery and successful government testing of GTV JLTV armor coupons. "GTV is committed to providing a highly reliable, survivable, mobile, supportable and transportable JLTV that balances the protection, performance and payload requirements for the Soldier and Marine customers," said Don Howe, GTV program director. "I am confident that the GTV Team will deliver a JLTV family of vehicles that provide our Warfighters more capability and protection." The GTV Team has more than 120 years of combined experience in the successful design, production and support of over one million combat and tactical wheeled vehicles. GTV offers the strength of a proven team. General Dynamics Land Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD - News). Headquartered in Falls Church, Va., General Dynamics employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com. Headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, AM General operates multi-purpose military and civilian manufacturing facilities in Mishawaka, Indiana, and an Engineering and Product Development Center in Livonia, Michigan. AM General is the manufacturer of the High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, pronounced HUMVEE) for U.S. and overseas military services. The company also provides spare parts, field service and training support for all its products, and its Engineering and Product Development Center provides integrated logistics support and systems technical support for a variety of military systems in addition to the HMMWV. The company has more than 3,000 employees, of whom 2,300 work in the South Bend/Mishawaka area.

DTN News: BAE Systems Receives $89 Million Contract For Vehicle Emergency Escape Windows

DTN News: BAE Systems Receives $89 Million Contract For Vehicle Emergency Escape Windows *Source: DTN News / BAE Systems (NSI News Source Info) MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota - August 25, 2009: BAE Systems will supply Vehicle Emergency Escape (VEE) windows for new production M1151 Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) under a contract with AM General. The patent-pending VEE Window technology enables soldiers to quickly exit the vehicle in the event of an emergency, such as a rollover or accident, by releasing and pushing out the front window. The simplicity of the design requires no additional training for soldiers. The total potential value of this indefinite deliver/indefinite quantity contract is up to $89 million. "For the first time the VEE Window will be incorporated into AM General’s M1151 HMMWV production line," said Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of New Vehicles & Amphibious Systems. "This life-saving technology is standard on the HMMWV platform is another step in our commitment to Warfighter safety in an unpredictable environment." The VEE Window is part of the Army’s Fragmentation Kit Seven (FRAG 7), which is a set of survivability upgrades to already fielded M1151 HMMWVs. This contract raises the total orders for VEE Window kits to more than 29,000, with more than 10,000 kits already shipped for the up-armored M1114 and M1151 HMMWVs. The VEE Window technology is adaptable to many tactical up-armored combat vehicles, including Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles or Marine Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements. Work on the VEE Window order will be performed at BAE Systems and industrial partner facilities in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Butler, Pennsylvania. About BAE Systems BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded $34.4 billion in 2008.

DTN News: Technology TODAY August 11, 2009 ~ Humvee Still Made In America

DTN News: Technology TODAY August 11, 2009 ~ Humvee Still Made In America

*Source: DTN News / Defense Media (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, USA - August 11, 2009: The military’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, also known as a “HMMWV” or a “Humvee,” will continue to be made in the United States, by an American-owned company. The recent announcement that Detroit-based General Motors will sell their Hummer brand of vehicles to Chinese-based Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company, has no bearing on the U.S. military’s Humvee. “The Army’s Humvee and the civilian Hummer look similar and share a common appearance,” said spokesman Lt. Col. Martin Downie. “But the rights to produce those two different vehicles are no longer owned by the same company.” Humvee manufacturer AM General is an American company based in South Bend, Ind. The company produced the first 55,000 Humvees for the Army in 1985. The company continues today to produce the Humvee for the military. In the early 1990s, AM General began producing a civilian version of the Humvee, calling it a “Hummer.” But by the late 1990s, AM General had sold the Hummer name to General Motors. While GM will sell the Hummer nameplate to Sichuan Tengzhong, the military’s Humvee, its designs, unique performance capabilities and technologies will continue to be owned by, and the vehicle produced by, AM General.

DTN News: Humvee Still Made In America / Humvee Production Will Stay In America

DTN News: Humvee Still Made In America / Humvee Production Will Stay In America

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - June 5, 2009: The military's High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, also known as a "HMMWV" or a "Humvee," will continue to be made in the United States, by an American-owned company.

This Humvee prepares for a convoy mission inside the yard at Convoy Support Center Scania, Iraq, April 16. The military's Humvee is manufactured by AM General, an American company in South Bend, Ind. General Motor's decision to sell to a Chinese manufacturer their Hummer brand of vehicles, which shares a common background with the Humvee, will not affect where the Humvee is made.

The recent announcement that Detroit-based General Motors will sell their Hummer brand of vehicles to Chinese-based Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company, has no bearing on the U.S. military's Humvee.

"The Army's Humvee and the civilian Hummer look similar and share a common appearance," said spokesman Lt. Col. Martin Downie. "But the rights to produce those two different vehicles are no longer owned by the same company."

Humvee manufacturer AM General is an American company based in South Bend, Ind. The company produced the first 55,000 Humvees for the Army in 1985. The company continues today to produce the Humvee for the military.

In the early 1990s, AM General began producing a civilian version of the Humvee, calling it a "Hummer." But by the late 1990s, AM General had sold the Hummer name to General Motors. While GM will sell the Hummer nameplate to Sichuan Tengzhong, the military's Humvee, its designs, unique performance capabilities and technologies will continue to be owned by, and the vehicle produced by, AM General.

DTN News: MRAP's Pro & Con, Armored Fighting Vehicle Designed To Survive IED Attacks And Ambushes, Driving Is Not Cosy And Comfy - Part #2

DTN News: MRAP's Pro & Con, Armored Fighting Vehicle Designed To Survive IED Attacks And Ambushes, Driving Is Not Cosy And Comfy - Part #2

(NSI News Source Info) March 5, 2009: The first MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) wrecker has appeared. Navistar, which makes the MaxxPro MRAPs, now provides a variant equipped with a 50 ton capacity boom and the ability to haul just about any MRAP out there, back to base. The MaxxPro Wrecker needs a 2-3 man crew. MRAPS break down or get damaged in combat, and they need a tow. But these heavy vehicles are a bit much for most wrecker vehicles designed for trucks, and there aren't that many tracked wreckers (designed for use with tanks) around. Until the MaxxPro wrecker showed up, troops had to improvise, depending on what was wrong with the distressed vehicle. This often involved one or more MRAPs providing a tow, perhaps in cooperation with a heavy truck wrecker. MRAPS are basically 7-25 ton trucks that are hardened to survive bombs and mines. They are built using the same construction techniques pioneered by South African firms. The vehicle uses a capsule design to protect the passengers and key vehicle components mines and roadside bombs. The South African technology was imported into the U.S. in 1998, and has already been used in the design of vehicles used by peacekeepers in the Balkans and elsewhere. There have been some problems with the MRAPs. First, they are, after all, just heavy trucks. And the capsule design produces a high center of gravity, that makes the vehicles prone to flipping over easily. They are also large vehicles, causing maneuverability problems when going through narrow streets. Most MRAPs don't have a lot of torque, being somewhat underpowered for their size. And, being wheeled vehicles, they are not very good at cross country movement (especially considering the high center of gravity.) The U.S. is shifting its MRAP vehicle deliveries from Iraq (where nearly 10,000 have been delivered) to Afghanistan (where nearly 1,500 have been flown in so far). In the face of increasing Taliban use of roadside bombs, MRAPs are seen as a way to keep U.S. and NATO casualties down. Some MRAPs originally headed for Iraq, are being diverted to Afghanistan. The main delivery limitation is the need to fly the MRAPs in, and that requires a large aircraft (C-17, C-5 or leased Russian equivalents.)

MRAP's Pro & Con, Armored Fighting Vehicle Designed To Survive IED Attacks And Ambushes, Driving Is Not Cosy And Comfy

MRAP's Pro & Con, Armored Fighting Vehicle Designed To Survive IED Attacks And Ambushes, Driving Is Not Cosy And Comfy

(NSI News Source Info) March 2, 2009: As more units get MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles, there has been a growing demand from users to fix the annoying, and sometimes dangerous, quirks and flaws. Over 10,000 MRAPs are in use, mostly in Iraq. But most of the new ones are now going to Afghanistan. The number of troops complaining grows daily. The list of problems is large, and include poor off-road performance, difficulty maneuvering along narrow village and city streets, high fuel consumption, too high (exposing turret gunners getting snagged by wires, often electrical ones, and more prone to tip over), and poor internal design (for example, the drivers seat is too cramped for a soldier wearing armor). On the plus side there are fewer casualties, and higher morale as a result. Troops go into harms way with more confidence, and are more effective as a result. Fixing the shortcomings of these vehicles is difficult. Their height, weight, large size and high fuel consumption are essential in protecting passengers from bombs and mines. Problems with the internal layout can be fixed, and largely have been. Maneuverability problems are addressed somewhat by better driver training. Commanders of units equipped with MRAPs are being taught the best tactics and techniques (based on a growing body of user experience) to get the most out of these vehicles. Smaller MRAPs, that are better off the road, less liable to tip over and easier to take through narrow village roads, are being sent to Afghanistan. The wire problem was fixed by putting plastic pipe, at an angle, in front, to deal with the wire. Another solution is to use a gun turret that is controlled from inside the vehicle. Even before 2007, there were already over two thousand of these vehicles in use, mainly by bomb disposal troops, and units operating in areas almost certain to have lots of roadside bombs. People in these vehicles were much less likely to be killed or injured if they encountered a roadside bomb.

Thus, the thinking went, if all the troops who encountered these bombs were in a MRAP, casualties would be about 65 percent less. In 2006-7, about two-thirds of all casualties in Iraq were from roadside bombs. Thus the army and marines used these vehicles in areas most likely to have bombs, and reduced overall casualties by about a third. MRAPs cost about five times more than armored hummers or trucks. These vehicles are more expensive to operate, and less flexible than the hummer. MRAPs use a capsule design to protect the passengers and key vehicle components mines and roadside bombs. The bulletproof MRAPs are built using construction techniques pioneered by South African firms that have, over the years, delivered thousands of landmine resistant vehicles to the South African armed forces. These were a great success.

The South African technology was imported into the U.S. in 1998, and has already been used in the design of vehicles used by peacekeepers in the Balkans. One of the most common of these MRAPs are called Cougars. Basically, the Cougar is a 12 ton truck that is hardened to survive bombs and mines, and comes in two basic versions. The four wheel one can carry ten passengers, the six wheel one can carry 16. The trucks cost about $730,000 each, fully equipped. MRAPs are also being supplied by other manufacturers, but their designs are very similar to the Cougar. MRAPs are more expensive to maintain and operate than the hummer.

And the large number of roadside bombs are a situation unique to Iraq. Once American forces are out of Iraq, the military would not need all these MRAPs. But vehicles like the Cougar are popular with many NGOs, and nations that have problems with rebel movements. So the U.S. could sell most of them, at used vehicle prices, to those buyers.

Otherwise, they could have to be put in storage, because the higher operating costs, compared to hummers, would make for a highly embarrassing issue in the mass media.

Lockheed Unveils Fourth Operational JLTV Prototype / Lockheed Martin Unveils Fourth Operational JLTV Prototype At AUSA Winter Symposium

Lockheed Unveils Fourth Operational JLTV Prototype / Lockheed Martin Unveils Fourth Operational JLTV Prototype At AUSA Winter Symposium US Army Announce JLTV Winners GTV, Navistar-BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin will develop three competing designs for final selection within 27 months. (NSI News Source Info) February 27, 2009: The U.S. Army narrowed the list of potential JLTV bidders to three, awarding development contracts for each of the three teams, to continue the 27 month technology development of the proposed Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. The finalist to be selected at the end of this phase could win orders to deliver more than 60,000 armored vehicles over an eight year span augmenting and replacing part of the 160,000 HMMWVs currently in service with U.S. armed services. According to Lt. Col. Wolfgang Petermann, JLTV Product Manager for the Army the new vehicle will replace part of the HMMWV fleet but is not intended to serve as a direct replacement for that vehicle. The new program could be worth over $40 billion over the next decade. The Pentagon evaluated proposals and models submitted by six teams, and awarded development contracts to three of the teams. General Tactical Vehicles group, combining General Dynamics Land Systems and HMMWV maker AM General was awarded $45 million; the Navistar-BAE Systems team received $40.5 million and Lockheed Martin, also teamed with BAE Systems received $36 million contracts. The later was a cost plus fixed fee contract while the first two are cost share awards. Three of the losing teams filed protests on the selection decision, causing the Army to issue 'Stop Work' order pending a decision by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Each of the teams selected will be asked to build four test vehicles during the first 15 months, to be followed by a test phase that could last another year. One or two winning teams will receive Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contracts by 2011, to begin production of vehicles, and accelerate production over the next 24 months. According to Lt. Col. Ben Garza, JLTV Program Manager for the US Marine Corps, the test and evaluation phase will include testing of the vehicle's armor and ballistic hulls, the vehicle and trailers will undergo performance and reliability testing, including assessments from joint warfighters. Furthermore, the teams will have to demonstrate a 'family of vehicles' approach across the three payload categories and share a commonality of components, demonstrate technical maturity, requirements achievability and integration capabilities. While the winners of the contracts will ultimately produce refined prototypes of the vehicles at the end of the current technology demonstration phase, the Army's current intention is to hold another full and open competition for the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase which will allow all interested parties to compete. The Pentagon is also interested in extending international involvement in program. Australia has officially endorsed the program and is interested to commit by 2010, as the vehicle design is matured. Britain, Israel and Canada are also interested and were reported to be discussing possible co-development funding.

On February 17, 2009 GAO denied protests filed in November last year by three teams that lost the initial selection process of the Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle - Textron-Boeing-SAIC, Northrop Grumman-Oshkosh and Force Protection. The GAO decision will enable Pentagon to launch the 15 month program designing and manufacturing 12 vehicles for subsequent testing, leading to a procurement decision in 2011. After the filing of the protest, the Army issued stop work orders to the winning companies, an action that could have delayed the program by few months.

FAAC Incorporated Receives USMC Operator Driving Simulator Contract Modification Valued At $4.0M To Include Additional Key International Installations

FAAC Incorporated Receives USMC Operator Driving Simulator Contract Modification Valued At $4.0M To Include Additional Key International Installations

(NSI News Source Info) Ann Arbor, Michigan – February 12, 2009: FAAC Incorporated, part of Arotech Corporation’s Training and Simulation Division, has received a contract modification valued at $4.0M. The modification adds a dual-simulator mobile system for Marine Corp Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; three full-motion 6DOF simulators for Camp Hansen Okinawa, Japan; and 3 additional dual-simulator mobile systems for U.S. based Marine Force Reserve sites. This modification to FAAC’s contract with the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command, Program Manager for Training Systems (PM TRASYS), increases the total number of USMC ODS systems procured to 26 systems with a total of 51 simulators. The USMC ODS originally employed in operations of M1114 Up-Armored HMMWV and MK-23 with Marine Armor System has been extended to include USMC Mine Resistance Ambush Protected fleet of vehicles: 4 x 4 Cougar Category I, 6 x 6 Cougar Category II, and 6 x 6 Buffalo Category III vehicle. "The advantage of this system is that it is a one-stop shop for commanders who can train their Marines on a range of tactical vehicles," said Capt Garrett Hager, PM TRASYS USMC ODS Project Officer, quoted in the Show Daily during the recent Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando in December 2008. About Arotech’s Training and Simulation Division Arotech’s Training and Simulation Division (ATSD) provides world-class simulation based training solutions. ATSD develops, manufactures, and markets advanced high-tech multimedia and interactive digital solutions for engineering, use-of-force, and driver training simulations for military, law enforcement, security, municipal and private industry personnel.

The division’s fully interactive driver-training systems feature state-of-the-art vehicle simulator technology enabling training in situation awareness, risk analysis and decision-making, emergency reaction and avoidance procedures, and conscientious equipment operation.

The division’s use-of-force training products and services allow organizations to train their personnel in safe, productive, and realistic environments. The division provides consulting and developmental support for engineering simulation solutions.

The division also supplies pilot decision-making support software for the F-15, F-16, F-18, and JSF aircraft, as well as simulation models for the ACMI/TACTS air combat training ranges.

The USA’s 2009 Hummer Orders

The USA’s 2009 Hummer Orders

(NSI News Source Info) February 4, 2009: The US military’s Hummers have demonstrated severe payload and survivability limitations. Nevertheless, they remain a fixture in the fleet, and new orders continue. Orders and shipments of blast-resistant MRAP vehicles have largely tailed off after a run of over 15,000 vehicles, and the 40,000 to 60,000 vehicle JLTV program will not field Hummer replacements until 2014 – if it survives at all.

The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) is a military 4WD motor vehicle created by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles formerly served by the M151 1/4 ton MUTT, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the CUCV, and other light trucks with the United States military, as well as being used by a number of other countries and organizations.

The US military is working on an interim M-ATV program that will buy lighter blast-resistant vehicles for use on the front lines, but that program has yet to issue a contract, let alone fielding vehicles in theater. All of these options distinguish themselves from the HMMWV or “hummer” by having smooth, shaped bottoms that deflect land mine blasts away, instead of flat bottoms with lots of pockets that catch, reflect, and catch under-body explosions in an iterative cycle.

At one point, the US Marines’ objective was to restrict Hummers to use “inside the wire” of American bases in Iraq. Instead, a sharp reduction in violence within Iraq, and a lower vehicle threat level so far in Afghanistan, have given the HMMWVs a new lease on life.

They are still seeing extensive use on the front lines, and the early wear created by the weight of their add-on armor has led to RESET maintenance programs for some Hummers and allied giveaways for others. The US Army had about 19,000 HMMWV vehicles in Iraq alone in mid-2007. As Hummers wear out and are given away, or are sent to a depot, they must be replaced. Some replacement involves cycling vehicles from other units into theater, but those units must eventually have their lost vehicles replaced with Hummers or with something else, in order to maintain their own readiness rates for deployment. Hence the necessity for ongoing buys of more Hummers, in the absence of a program to provide replacements on a fleet-wide basis. This Spotlight article covers the family’s newest variants, and chronicles the US military’s 2009 purchases. It will soon become a subscriber-only feature.

BAE Systems To Provide Transparent Armored Gun Shields For U.S. Warine

BAE Systems To Provide Transparent Armored Gun Shields For U.S. Warine

(NSI News Source Info) SANTA CLARA, California – January 30, 2009: Under a $9.9 million contract, BAE Systems will provide 442 Marine Corps Transparent Armored Gun Shield (MCTAGS) turret kits used to protect service members in close urban environments. “The proven design of our MCTAGS provides direct vision while providing protection against blast fragmentation and small arms fire to the crew while in the turret,” said Ann Hoholick, vice president Amphibious Vehicles & Armor Kits for BAE Systems. “To date more than 6,000 MCTAGS kits have been installed on various military vehicles to provide added protection for the men and women in uniform.” The kits will be shipped to a Marine Corps base by BAE Systems’ current workforce where they will be installed on High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) by the U.S. Marine Corps. Work under the contract will begin immediately in York, Pennsylvania and Santa Clara, California and activity for the initial delivery order is anticipated to be completed in June 2009. The contract is managed by the Marine Corps Systems Command. BAE Systems’ transparent armored gun shield units have been configured for a wide range of vehicles, including Bradley, M1 Abrams, M113, HMMWV, Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, Logistics Vehicle System, Assault Amphibious Vehicle – Personnel and for the Stryker Common Ballistic Shield.

U.S. Army's 8,500 HMMWV Sold To Iraqi Forces

U.S. Army's 8,500 HMMWV Sold To Iraqi Forces

(NSI News Source Info) January 24, 2009: The U.S. Department of Defense is speeding up a program to refurbish hummers (HMMWV) and transfer them to Iraq. The total number of vehicles is 8,500, and all are to be delivered by July.

Hummer is a brand of off-road vehicles sold by General Motors (GM). The original H1 was based on the military High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee). However, the Hummer H2 and the Hummer H3 were based on other, smaller civilian-market vehicles.

Currently, only about 40 percent have been turned over. Iraq is paying about $24,000 for each vehicle. Most of the hummers have served in Iraq, and many are being refurbed locally. Some have armor, and Iraq is getting the "like new" refurbs at less than half what they would cost brand new. The U.S. expects to meet the July deadline.

DTN News: Humvee Remains Dominant Despite MRAP Craze

DTN News: Humvee Remains Dominant Despite MRAP Craze

(NSI News Source Info) NEWTOWN, Conn. - December 3, 2008: The international market for light wheeled combat vehicles remains a highly competitive and dynamic environment. In its annual analysis "The Market for Light Wheeled Vehicles" the Forecast International Weapons Group expects the market will produce over 71,300 light wheeled vehicles, worth in excess of $21.789 billion, through 2017.

Since 2005, the Forecast International Weapons Group has considered the impact of the AM General High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle on the light wheeled vehicle market.

Prior to the emergence of the global war on terror, the HMMWV served as essentially a utility vehicle, not a dedicated combat vehicle.

However, in the asymmetric warfare environment of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, circumstances are forcing the HMMWV to evolve into a light armored vehicle.

Dean Lockwood, a weapons systems analyst at Forecast International, notes that the HMMWV has a significant impact on the overall market. “As the market statistics clearly indicate, the HMMWV will utterly dominate the market during the forecast period," Lockwood said

"We expect the HMMWV will account for 67.76 percent of all light wheeled vehicle production worldwide, worth a commanding 34.18 percent of the market value, through 2017.”

Despite the dominance of the HMMWV, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle program has emerged as the short-term star of the market. Through September 2008, the U.S. Department of Defense has placed orders for 15,197 MRAP vehicles, with deliveries to be complete in 2009.

The total value of all MRAP-related contract awards through September 2008 is nearly $12.406 billion. During the 2008-2009 timeframe, Forecast International expects the four primary MRAP contractors – BAE Systems, Force Protection Industries, General Dynamics Land Systems and Navistar/IMG – will combine to produce 11,590 MRAP vehicles in various configurations.

This level of production makes MRAP the second-most prolific program in this market, accounting for 16.24 percent of all light wheeled vehicle production worldwide, worth 28.85 percent of the market value, through 2017.

Forecast International, Inc., is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown, Conn., USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments used by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide.