Oshkosh Defense to produce new M-ATV SOCOM variant
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, announced today that the company received an undefinitized award valued at more than $67 million to incorporate configuration changes to more than 420 MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) variants for the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The SOCOM-specific vehicle configuration changes will be cut in on Oshkosh manufacturing lines in August 2010. M-ATV SOCOM variants with these configuration changes are scheduled to be delivered between September and November 2010.
Oshkosh engineers have been working in tandem with SOCOM to develop an M-ATV variant to meet their unique mission needs. The M-ATV SOCOM variant features a modified cargo deck, intended to accept specialized equipment based on the requirements of each mission, as well as larger front windscreens for increased visibility. The rear storage is accessible through an armored cargo access hatch in the passenger capsule, which can seat five while operating a Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) or four with a gunner.
“The M-ATV SOCOM variant will give Special Forces the life-saving protection capabilities and superior off-road mobility that already have benefited U.S. operations in Afghanistan, in addition to delivering design changes specific to SOCOM’s needs,” said Ken Juergens, Oshkosh Corporation vice president and general manager, Defense - Joint Programs. “This new variant is a part of our continuous effort to expand our M-ATV family of vehicles to best serve the needs of the Warfighter and leverage fleet commonality.”
The SOCOM variant is the latest in the M-ATV family of vehicles and joins utility and ambulance variants recently developed by Oshkosh. Utility and ambulance M-ATVs were developed to help military operations provide resupply services and critical casualty care in unforgiving landscapes where tactical missions must operate.
The M-ATV was designed to provide superior off-road mobility for harsh mountainous terrain and unimproved road networks in places like Afghanistan. Oshkosh has received awards valued at more than $5 billion to date for 8,079 M-ATVs, as well as spare parts kits, upgrade kits and aftermarket support.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Norway orders improved NASAMS technology as more countries sign up]()
Norway orders improved NASAMS technology as more countries sign up
The country’s air defence batteries will be equipped with new command posts, wheeled communication nodes and radios. The system itself is in service with more than 14 countries with 13 systems in Ukraine.
-
![Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet]()
Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet
Ukraine’s quest to replace soldiers with robots is hitting technical snags. Shephard spoke with industry leaders about difficulties in the field and what solutions are in the pipeline.
-
![DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret]()
DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret
The partnership between Croatia’s DOK-ING and Slovenia’s Valhalla Turrets reflects an effort to combine ground robots and with improved capabilities and new roles and follows Rheinmetall presenting its Ox with Dispatch charging docks from Valinor.
-
![Scorpion light mortar completes tests with US Army and moves to next exercise]()
Scorpion light mortar completes tests with US Army and moves to next exercise
Having completed five days of trials with the US Army, the two Scorpion Light mortar systems will stay in Hawaii to take part in planned Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center training exercises in early November.
-
![EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward]()
EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward
EOS Defence Systems officially launched its Slinger anti-drone system in 2023. The system features a remote weapon station, visual sensors and a Northrop Grumman 30mm cannon with specially designed ammunition, combined with EOS’s stabilisation and pointing technology.
