US Army awards Oshkosh upgrade contract for heavy tactical vehicles

Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), will recapitalize 160 trucks from the U.S. Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) fleet, including Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A4s and Palletized Load System (PLS) A1s, following an order from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC). Through its recapitalization program, Oshkosh will restore these vehicles to the latest configuration in zero-miles/zero-hours condition at significantly less than the cost of a new vehicle.

“Oshkosh is helping the U.S. military maximize its investments by extending vehicles’ life spans, restoring and modernizing them with the latest technologies and armor packages,” said Mike Ivy, vice president and general manager of Army Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “As trucks have become more advanced – with better protection and improved power trains and suspensions – our recapitalization program has continued providing our customer exceptional value.”

Since 1970, Oshkosh has remanufactured more than 11,000 military vehicles. In addition to recapitalizing its own vehicles, Oshkosh also upgrades vehicles originally built by other manufacturers. Oshkosh has refurbished more than 2,000 heavy-payload vehicles for the Army’s Theater Provided Equipment Refurbishment (TPER) program. The company also has upgraded more than 2,000 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles produced by other manufacturers with the Oshkosh TAK-4® independent suspension system to deliver improved vehicle mobility in challenging terrain.

To recapitalize HEMTT A4s, the suspension is improved and a fully air-conditioned and armor-ready cab is installed, in addition to a more powerful drivetrain. The vehicles are fitted with new components, new technology and a new “zero hours/zero miles” bumper-to-bumper warranty. The HEMTT A4 is the backbone of the Army’s logistics and resupply fleet. It has a 13-ton payload capacity and is available in multiple variants for a wide range of operations. The HEMTT’s anti-lock braking system, traction and air-ride suspension allow troops to navigate wherever the mission demands.

The PLS is the backbone of the Army’s distribution and resupply system. Built to transport ammunition and other critical supplies needed in battle, the vehicle has been used in front-line resupply missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. The latest PLS configuration features an armor-ready cab that is common with the HEMTT A4, as well as a 600-horsepower engine, electrical upgrades and incorporation of an Oshkosh TAK-4 independent front suspension for improved off-road mobility.

Recapitalization of the HEMTT and PLS vehicles is expected to begin in March 2012 and is scheduled to be completed in September 2012. The order has a value of more than $50 million.

Source: Oshkosh

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