WARRENVILLE, Ill. -- As one of the leading producers of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, Navistar Defense, LLC will compete to supply the next generation of MRAPs with a vehicle based on its International MXT vehicle platform. The company delivered two vehicles today to undergo testing in the U.S. military’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program.

Navistar’s MXT-based design provides the same production and delivery advantages offered by its original MRAP product, the International MaxxPro, but in a lighter and more mobile configuration. The company’s M-ATV unit also incorporates the survivability protection expected from all of Navistar’s MRAP vehicles.

Designed to navigate Afghanistan’s rough terrain and perform in off-road conditions, Navistar’s M-ATV unit utilizes a specially-designed, light-weight armor, which is incorporated into the survivability system. While the platform of the company’s M-ATV vehicle varies from its MaxxPro MRAP, which is based on the International WorkStar platform, the smaller base allows Navistar’s unit to weigh significantly less than its MaxxPro Dash - the lightest of the company’s MRAP units and in service now in Afghanistan.

“We are proud to submit a vehicle based on our MXT platform, which was designed to fill a gap that existed between smaller traditional armored 4x4’s and larger transport vehicles,” said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense. “By utilizing our existing commercial platform, we are able to rapidly advance our vehicle design and provide the military with a product that supports mission needs in Afghanistan.”

Navistar’s M-ATV unit is powered by a MaxxForce D 6.0 L V8 engine designed to maximize speed and payload capability. The company would also be able to support its M-ATV units in theater through its existing dealer and parts and support network, which includes locations in Afghanistan.

“Since our original MRAP award in May 2007, Navistar has delivered more than 6,000 MaxxPro vehicles to the military,” said Massicotte. “We are also dedicated to the rapid modification of our vehicles to meet evolving mission needs. In less than 18 months, we were able to modify and deliver six MaxxPro MRAP variants.”

While the company competes to provide the U.S. military with M-ATV vehicles specially designed for Afghanistan, Navistar is fielding a similar MXT-based vehicle with the United Kingdom for the same mission purpose in Afghanistan. As part of the United Kingdom’s Tactical Support Vehicle (TSV) program, Navistar’s vehicle will be called the Husky.

The company was also selected in October as one of nine finalists to compete to replace the U.K.’s light tactical wheeled vehicle fleet in the highly-competitive Operational Utility Vehicle Systems (OUVS) program. Navistar will provide MXT based vehicles for testing and trials in 2009 to replace a portion of the army’s fleet, which includes Land Rover, Wolf, Reynolds Boughton RB-44 and Pinzgauer vehicles.

Navistar Defense is an affiliate of Navistar International Corporation, a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International brand commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce brand diesel engines, IC Bus brand school and commercial buses, and Workhorse brand chassis for motor homes and step vans.

Navistar
25.02.2009