“I know they would have put their hearts and souls into this project”.
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Chris Vanslager, vice president of business development and programs at AM General, told Reuters that his company’s Blast Resistant Vehicle-Offroad, or BRV-O, offered the “right balance of performance, protection and payload at an affordable price”. The Army and Marine Corps will procure approximately 17,000 vehicles under this initial contract, with a decision on full rate production by the Department expected in FY18. There has been no announcement yet about how the newly-awarded contract will affect jobs at the company. Both companies issued statements saying they’re gathering information and considering their options.
Oshkosh’s L-ATV won the JLTV competition, besting submissions from AM General and Lockheed Martin.
The JLTV would replace as many as 55,000 Humvees by 2040.
After the Arkansas Legislature approved the passage of a $87 million bond financing package in late May, Lockheed officials said they would invest more than $125 million in the East Camden facility.
Oshkosh beat out Humvee-maker AM General and defense titan Lockheed Martin to walk away with a $6.7 billion contract in low rate initial production, for a program estimated to be worth $30 billion through 2024.
The Army and Marine Corps plan to begin equipping units with the vehicles in fiscal 2018, though Oshkosh will deliver the first production models to the military next year. Oshkosh is ranked as the 99th-largest U.S. government contractor as of fiscal 2014 while Lockheed was ranked as No. 1, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “Experience”, she said.
The JLTV program provides protected, sustained and networked light tactical mobility for American troops across the full spectrum of military operations and missions anywhere in the world.
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Oshkosh will make the vehicles at its plant in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with deliveries beginning 10 months after award. According to sources, the company’s bid was the lowest of the three finalists. “The Oshkosh JLTV fills that need by providing the blast protection of a light tank, the mine resistance of an MRAP, and the off-road speed and mobility of a Baja racer”. “Our goal is to produce the best-value, most-protected, most tactically effective JLTV possible to help assure our soldiers and Marines complete their missions and return safely”.
