US Army, Oshkosh Defense rollout first HET A1, PLS A1 vehicle configurations

Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, and the US Army commemorated the rollout of the first Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) and Palletized Load System (PLS) A1 vehicle configurations with a ceremony today at Oshkosh’s headquarters. The new configurations of these trucks feature upgrades for improved survivability and performance.

“At Oshkosh we consider it our responsibility to provide US soldiers with the most advanced vehicles and protection systems,” said Mike Ivy, vice president and general manager of Army Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “Everyone at Oshkosh, from our engineers to our Field Service Representatives in action across the globe, works to understand soldiers’ needs and, together with the military, continuously develops innovative designs that meet these needs. The HET A1 and PLS A1 are the most recent results of this collaborative approach.”

The Oshkosh HET A1 configuration includes increased horsepower, higher-capacity front suspension, a larger vehicle cab, electrical upgrades and air conditioning. The PLS A1 features a Long Term Armor Strategy (LTAS)-compliant cab that is common with the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A4 for improved fleet commonality. Other PLS A1 upgrades include a 600-horsepower engine, electrical upgrades and incorporation of an Oshkosh TAK-4 independent front suspension for improved off-road mobility.

Both the HET and PLS vehicles have a long history of success within the US Army. The HET is designed to rapidly transport battle tanks, fighting and recovery vehicles, construction equipment and crews to arrive in mission-ready condition. Since receiving its first contract for the vehicle in 1976, Oshkosh has produced more than 3,000 HETs for the Army.

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 PLS has been used in front-line resupply missions in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Oshkosh received its first PLS contract in 1990, and has produced more than 6,000 PLS trucks and more than 14,000 trailers at its facilities to date.

Source: Oshkosh

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