Lockheed Martin completes production of its first two JLTV Technology Development Vehicles ahead Of schedule

Lockheed Martin has completed, ahead of schedule, production of its first two Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV), both new six-passenger Infantry Carrier variants. The vehicles will be delivered to the US Army and US Marine Corps for a year-long testing period as part of the Technology Development (TD) phase of the JLTV program.

As part of the 27-month TD contract awarded in October 2008, Lockheed Martin will deliver multiple JLTV variants and trailers to the Army and Marine Corps for the testing program, scheduled to begin in April of this year. The testing will be conducted primarily at Aberdeen Test Center, MD, and Yuma Test Center in Yuma, AZ.

“Successfully completing production of our first two TD vehicles ahead of schedule is a major achievement for our program,” said Steve Ramsey, vice president of Ground Vehicles at Lockheed Martin. “The team’s tireless efforts to design, assemble and test our previous six operational prototypes culminated in the production of technology development vehicles that are mature, low-risk and thoroughly tested.”

In addition to the TD vehicles, the Lockheed Martin JLTV team has produced multiple test vehicles. The team’s current JLTV family of vehicles includes five prototypes, all of which are in system test and have accumulated more than 70,000 combined miles:

• The original Infantry Carrier JLTV Category B model, designed for troop transportation;
• The Utility Vehicle Light Category C model, designed with a focus on payload;
• The General Purpose Mobility Category A model, designed for logistical support;
• The second variant of the Utility Vehicle Light Category C model; and
• The Command and Control on the Move Category B model. This vehicle is scheduled to make its public debut at the Association of the United States Army Winter Symposium in February 2010.

“We are confident that we’ll continue to remain on schedule and deliver a high-quality family of vehicles that meet all transportability requirements by air, land and sea,” Ramsey added. “We look forward to final delivery to the US Army and Marine Corps this spring and having our vehicles rigorously tested.”

The Lockheed Martin-led JLTV Team includes leaders in their respective fields. Lockheed Martin serves as the prime contractor and design agent, providing advanced systems, systems engineering, platform and components integration, design expertise, and program and supply chain management. The BAE Systems Global Tactical Systems and Security & Survivability Systems businesses are providing production facilities for high volume assembly, and advanced armor solutions for protection. Alcoa Defense is supplying materials experience, design services and aluminum components that give the vehicle its structural strength at reduced weight. JWF - Defense Systems is offering state-of-the-art machining and cost-effective fabrication.

Source: Lockheed Martin