Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, will deliver more than 400 underbody armor protection kits for the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A4 vehicles following its first order for the armor from the US Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC). The armor was developed in response to an urgent need in the field to increase protection for HEMTT wreckers and Light Equipment Transporters (LET) recovering Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in Afghanistan's challenging terrain. Additionally, more than 15 uparmored Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) wreckers were ordered by the Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) to protect Marines recovering MRAPs in theater.

"Delivering this new line of protection kits is part of our ongoing work to ensure that the workhorse of the Army's heavy tactical truck recovery fleet, the HEMTT A4 wrecker, protects those serving on the battlefield," said Mike Ivy, vice president and general manager of Army Programs for Oshkosh Defense. "Closely collaborating with the Army, we produced and delivered the armor upgrades rapidly to meet the threats that soldiers face in Afghanistan."

The HEMTT A4 is compliant with the Army's Long-Term Armor Strategy (LTAS). It is produced with factory-installed armor and can also readily accept add-on armor to raise protection levels. The HEMTT platform's 13-ton payload and off-road capabilities make it the backbone of the US Army's logistics fleet. The wrecker variant, capable of recovering vehicles weighing in excess of 50 tons, offers heavy-duty power and extreme performance for the most challenging recovery missions.

The LVSR wrecker is able to flat tow 55 tons, and lift and tow 48 tons. It is equipped with the Oshkosh Command Zone embedded diagnostics system to provide real-time performance feedback on vital vehicle information and uses the company's patented TAK-4 independent suspension system for superior off-road mobility. LVSRs have been operating in Afghanistan since September 2009.

Deliveries of the HEMTT underbody kits for the TACOM order are scheduled to be completed in July 2011. The order is valued at more than $26 million. Deliveries of the LVSRs are scheduled to take place between June and September 2011. The MARCORSYSCOM order is valued at approximately $12 million.

Source: Oshkosh Defense

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