US Marine Corps selects Oshkosh Defense to advance exportable power capabilities

Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, has been selected by the US Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) to supply on-board vehicle power (OBVP) kits for military testing. The OBVP kits leverage the advanced Oshkosh ProPulse diesel-electric drive technology, which is proven to power a small airport or entire city block from a single military vehicle.

“There is a rapidly-growing demand in the military for on-board power to support mobile radar systems, command centers, IED-defeat systems and many other applications,” said John Bryant, vice president and general manager of Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “We are proud to partner with the Navy and Marine Corps to create a technology platform to provide our troops with increased tactical flexibility, while reducing their logistics footprint.”

The OBVP kits will be installed on Marine Corps all-terrain Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVR) for government evaluation and testing. The installation is expected to be completed in January 2012 and the evaluation and testing is expected to begin in March 2012. This contract follows successful OBVP technology-development efforts between Oshkosh Defense and the Office of Naval Research. The MTVR with OBVP will provide 120 kW of exportable military-grade power while stationary, and 21 kW of military-grade power while on the move.

Under the contract, valued at more than $8 million, OBVP kits will be supplied and integrated on MTVR standard and extended cargo trucks. The scalable OBVP kits can be integrated on the assembly line during new vehicle production or as an aftermarket add on, which can be completed at the company’s regional service facilities. Oshkosh also will provide the training and sustainment support required for the new technology during government testing.

The Oshkosh MTVR is a multipurpose logistics vehicle used by the Marines and Navy Seabees. The vehicle uses the Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension system to achieve superior off-road mobility. Oshkosh has supplied the Marines and Seabees with more than 10,000 MTVRs, which have been successfully operating in off-road missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world.

Source: Oshkosh

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