Latest news with #JLTVs
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marines sticking with JLTV after Army cancels future vehicle buys
The Marines are sticking with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, even as costs may rise following the Army's decision to halt the program. The joint program office for the Army and Marine Corps first picked Oshkosh Defense to build the JLTV in August 2015, and in 2023 awarded a follow-on contract to AM General, according to a Congressional Research Services report released Monday. 'The Marine Corps is fully committed to the JLTV program. It is our workhorse on the ground tactical vehicle fleet,' Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said in a House Appropriations subcommittee on defense hearing May 14. 'It's a little bit too early to assess the impact of the Army stopping their version of the program, but per-unit costs are clearly going to go up … when the orders go down.' The JLTV was originally intended to replace the Marine Corps' and Army's light tactical vehicle fleets, which consist mostly of Humvees. The initial low-rate production contract awarded to Oshkosh Defense was valued at $6.7 billion for the first 16,901 vehicles, according to the CRS report. A follow-on contract valued at another $8 billion awarded to AM General would have built another 30,000 JLTVs and 10,000 trailers for the vehicles. Smith anticipates the unit cost to rise because of the Army decision, and the Corps is 'still assessing the full impact of the Army's abrupt exit from the joint program.' 'That's going to negatively impact the Marine Corps' ability to fulfill its ground tactical vehicle mobility strategy, which has me concerned,' Smith said. The Marine Corps relies on the JLTV for its ROGUE-Fires and Marine Air Defense Integration System, or MADIS. The ROGUE-Fires system uses a remotely operated JLTV without a cab to fire the Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System. The MADIS is a counter-drone weapon also mounted on the JLTV. 'At this time, AM General has [a] backlog for deliveries of vehicles through 2027 and AM General remains committed to meeting our contractual delivery requirements,' AM General said in a statement May 2 in response to the Army's decision to divest. 'As we work to understand the significance of the DoD's recent communications, we will continue to operate our HUMVEE and JLTV A2 assembly lines and our Aftermarket Fulfillment facility as normal to meet our contractual requirements and serve the Warfighter.' The vehicle, available in two- and four-seat versions, can be transported by various aircraft, including rotary wing, according to the CRS report. Instead of acquiring more JLTVs, the Army plans to fulfill some of its mobility requirements with the Infantry Squad Vehicle, a much smaller, scaled-down all-terrain vehicle. An Army Transformation Initiative memo published May 1 noted the service would divest the vehicle over time. So far, the service has acquired 20,000 vehicles. The Army began fielding the JLTV in 2019, the same year the Marine Corps began receiving its first vehicles. House Appropriations subcommittee member Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., said she was 'dismayed' to learn the Army did not communicate its intentions to the Marine Corps before making the divestiture decision. 'That is beyond disappointing. Joint means joint. That's what the 'J' stands for. Joint decisions should be informed together as part of joint programs if they need to change,' McCollum said. Speaking to reporters in Tennessee on May 14, Army Vice Chief Gen. James Mingus said the Army purchased its last tranche of JLTVs in January, according to Breaking Defense. 'We will do no future procurement buys for the JLTV, for the Army, but the Marine Corps, [Foreign Military Sales] partners [can],' Mingus said. 'We think that we have enough, they [USMC and foreign customers] can continue to do that. But for us, inside of our armor and heavy and Stryker formations, we have enough JLTVs. We've bought enough already.'
Business Wire
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Netherlands Select Oshkosh Defense to Produce Dutch JLTV
OSHKOSH, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oshkosh Defense Europe B.V. together with Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, announced today that it has been selected by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to produce 150 Dutch Expeditionary Patrol Vehicles (DXPV), a JLTV variant tailored to fulfill the requirements for its Future Littoral All Terrain Mobility – Patrol Vehicle (FLATM-PV). "It enables our customers to leverage an established supply chain, streamline training, and simplify integration - driving greater efficiency and mission success across the board.' Share 'Oshkosh is honored that the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps has chosen to equip its formations with the Oshkosh DXPV,' said Pat Williams, Chief Programs Officer, Oshkosh Defense. The Oshkosh DXPV offers the Dutch Marines the world's most advanced light military vehicle, delivering next-generation levels of off-road mobility, speed, transportability, and seamless operational and logistical interoperability with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies. 'Our DXPV is highly common with the approximately 22,000 JLTVs delivered to the U.S. DoD and more than 1,600 JLTVs produced for other NATO and allied countries that are being fielded now and in the future,' continued Williams. 'This high level of commonality not only significantly reduces the logistics footprint required to support and sustain the DXPV, but also ensures exceptional system performance, maximizes operational readiness, and enhances interoperability. It enables our customers to leverage an established supply chain, streamline training, and simplify integration - driving greater efficiency and mission success across the board.' Oshkosh Defense continues to be the only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) able to supply the JLTV directly to allied countries. With this award, the Netherlands joins the United States, Lithuania, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Mongolia, Latvia, Slovakia, Brazil, Romania, and Israel in operating the Oshkosh platform. About Oshkosh Defense Oshkosh Defense is a global leader in the design, production and sustainment of best-in-class military vehicles, technology solutions and mobility systems. Oshkosh develops and applies emerging technologies that advance safety and mission success. Setting the industry standard for sustaining fleet readiness, Oshkosh ensures every solution is supported worldwide throughout its entire life cycle. Oshkosh Defense, LLC is an Oshkosh Corporation business [NYSE: OSK]. Learn more about Oshkosh Defense at About Oshkosh Corporation At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people's lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG ®, Pierce ®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh ® S-Series™, Oshkosh ® Defense, McNeilus ®, IMT ®, Jerr-Dan ®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh ® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit ®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as 'may,' 'will,' 'expect,' 'intend,' 'estimate,' 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'should,' 'project' or 'plan' or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks related to the Company's ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company's next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
US Army upgrades Strykers, inducts next-gen combat vehicles to replace Humvees
The US Army's Pennsylvania-based 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) has commenced the receipt of more than 600 new or upgraded vehicles as part of a comprehensive modernization initiative. The brigade will integrate 324 upgraded Stryker armored vehicles and 300 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), enhancing its operational capabilities in contemporary conflict environments. The upgraded Strykers feature a double-V hull (DVH) design, replacing the legacy flat-bottom-hull Strykers currently in use. This structural enhancement was initiated in response to vulnerabilities identified during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, where improvised explosive devices (IEDs) posed significant threats to vehicle survivability. According to Col. Christopher Costello, commander of the 56th SBCT, the DVH configuration has demonstrated superior blast-deflection properties, significantly reducing casualties and injury severity compared to flat-bottom-hull models. "Combat experience in Afghanistan validated the effectiveness of the double-V hull design," Costello stated. "Analysis of IED incidents indicated a marked improvement in crew survivability, with personnel often able to return to duty following an attack—an outcome far less common with the legacy flat-bottom hull." In parallel, the brigade's transition to JLTVs represents a substantial upgrade over its current inventory of M1097 HMMWVs. Costello emphasized the operational advantages of the JLTV platform, citing increased protection, mobility, and payload capacity as key enhancements over the older Humvee. Initial fielding efforts will see at least 25 upgraded Strykers arrive at Fort Indiantown Gap for training. Col. Jeremy Coleman, Pennsylvania Army National Guard deputy chief of staff for logistics (G4), confirmed that all JLTVs will be staged at Fort Indiantown Gap before unit-level distribution. The final disposition of the remaining Strykers has yet to be determined, with options including direct fielding to unit locations or initial consolidation at Fort Indiantown Gap. The 56th SBCT will conduct structured "train-the-trainer" programs in March to facilitate the transition. Maj. Sean Brown, brigade operations officer, detailed that personnel currently qualified on flat-bottom Strykers will receive specialized instruction on the operational nuances of the DVH variant. These newly certified trainers will disseminate knowledge across their formations during scheduled drills and annual training cycles. Concurrently, brigade-level maintenance personnel will undergo a five-day field-level sustainment course to familiarize themselves with the technical aspects of DVH Stryker upkeep. Brown underscored the necessity of ensuring a seamless logistical transition given the deployment of several hundred 56th SBCT personnel to Africa and Germany. Currently stationed in Germany in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission, Costello acknowledged the inherent challenges posed by ongoing overseas commitments but emphasized the brigade's capacity to adapt and execute its modernization objectives. Coleman concurred, noting that successful implementation will require coordination among all stakeholders. "This modernization effort represents a critical opportunity for the 28th Infantry Division and the 56th SBCT to replace legacy equipment with platforms better suited to contemporary and future conflict environments," he said. The Stryker is an eight-wheeled, armored combat vehicle forming the backbone of Army Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs). Available in multiple configurations—including infantry carrier, reconnaissance, mortar carrier, command and control, and medical evacuation—Strykers offer mobility, firepower, and modular adaptability. The platform can carry up to 11 occupants and achieves speeds of up to 60 mph. The U.S. Army currently fields nine SBCTs, seven within the active-duty force and two in the National Guard. The 56th SBCT, headquartered at Biddle Air National Guard Base in Horsham with units dispersed across Pennsylvania, was the first reserve-component brigade to transition to the Stryker platform in 2004. Costello emphasized that this modernization program enhances the brigade's overall combat readiness. "Despite the logistical challenges associated with concurrent deployments, the performance of 56th SBCT Soldiers in recent operations affirms my confidence in a successful transition," he stated. "The high level of pre-deployment training reinforces our ability to integrate this new equipment while remaining fully prepared for both civil support operations and wartime contingencies."
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Army National Guard receives new, upgraded armored vehicles
(WHTM) — The Pennsylvania Army National Guard is receiving the first of more than 600 new or upgraded armored vehicles. The National Guard announced they are receiving 324 upgraded Stryker vehicles and 300 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) to modernize their 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The upgraded Strykers now feature a 'double-V' hull, which is replacing the brigade's legacy flat-bottom-hull Strykers, and the JLTVs are replacing the brigade's soft-skin M1097 HMMWVs, colloquially known as 'humvees.' Col. Christopher Costello, 56th SBCT Commander, said the transition from flat-bottom hull to double-V hull design was initiated in response to vulnerabilities against improvised explosive devices during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He says the new hull will deflect explosive forces away from the vehicle, drastically reducing the risk of damage and injury to soldiers inside. 'Combat experience in Afghanistan showed that double-V hull Strykers significantly reduced casualties and injury severity compared to flat-bottom hull models,' said Col. Costello. 'Soldiers often walked away from IED attacks on double-V hull vehicles or returned to duty quickly, a stark improvement over flat-bottom hull performance where casualties were higher.' Costello added that the new JLTVs will provide several upgrades over the current humvees, as well. 'The JLTV combines improved protection, mobility, and payload capacity while addressing the limitations of the older Humvee in modern combat environments,' Costello said. Col. Jeremy Coleman, the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, says the first 25 Strykers will come to Fort Indiantown Gap, where they will be used for training, or G4. All of the JLTVs will come to Fort Indiantown Gap before going out to their units. It has not yet been determined if the remaining Strykers will also come to Fort Indiantown Gap first or if they will be sent directly to the units. 'This is a great opportunity for the state, 28th Infantry Division, and 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team to modernize our legacy equipment,' Col. Coleman said. The National Guard says this modernization program will help the brigade be better prepared for its combat role when called upon in the future, Costello added. 'There will certainly be challenges, but based on the performance of the Soldiers and units during their deployments, I am sure we will be successful,' Costello said. 'The level of training required for the deployments also encourages me that despite the focus on fielding so much equipment, the Soldiers, if called upon, would be ready to support civil authorities and/or conduct their war time missions.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
