OSHKOSH, Wis. -- The combination of harsh, mountainous off-road environments and dispersed combat situations in Afghanistan resulted in the U.S. Armed Forces’ urgent-need requirement for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV), a new class of vehicle. Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation), developed its M-ATV with Plasan North America to meet these specific challenges and allow soldiers and Marines to take the fight to the enemy in even the most difficult terrain.

“Our customer asked the industry to find a way to take the current MRAP levels of protection and put them into a system that has far more off-road capability,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “Oshkosh is a world leader in highly mobile off-road systems. We have teamed with Plasan who is a world leader in protection systems to meet that urgent request.”

To succeed in Afghanistan’s battlefields, any vehicle must be survivable and all-terrain capable. The Oshkosh M-ATV provides:

• The survivability of MRAPs, including protection from explosively formed penetrators (EFP) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPG).

Oshkosh joined forces with Plasan to deliver a battle-tested armor system for its M-ATV. Plasan contributed the armor used on more than 5,000 MRAPs and thousands of Armored Cab Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVR) fielded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Oshkosh’s M-ATV armor is based on an advanced armor solution that has been government tested and received an “excellent/low-risk” evaluation. In addition, Plasan has independently performed material-coupon and mine-blast tests to support the M-ATV survivability system.

• A lighter, more maneuverable and off-road capable alternative to current MRAPs used in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of operation.

The Oshkosh M-ATV features the company’s TAK-4® independent suspension system as a base platform to provide a vehicle with a 70 percent off-road mission profile. The Oshkosh M-ATV’s 16-inch wheel travel and enhanced load-carrying capabilities provide a distinct advantage by allowing Oshkosh’s vehicle to excel in off-road environments. While the TAK-4 suspension serves more than 10,000 Oshkosh MTVRs, the company recently received a contract to equip another manufacturer’s fielded MRAPs with the advanced TAK-4 suspension system.

Because of the military’s urgent need, between 2,080 – 10,000 M-ATVs will have to be delivered in a timely manner to help support combat operations. Oshkosh has the facilities, experience and capacity to deliver M-ATV vehicles on time and in the quantities needed. Oshkosh was the first manufacturer to deliver its production-representative vehicles to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds for both phases of government testing. The company also has independently conducted more than 6,500 miles of testing to provide the best vehicle possible.

Oshkosh Defense delivers its M-ATV with the survivability, mobility, mission-proven and production-ready solutions required for Afghanistan. Oshkosh’s mature M-ATV design is based on the combat-proven Oshkosh MTVR chassis, which has been successfully operating for years in the most difficult off-road missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world.

Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.

Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corp. manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, BAI®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, Geesink™, Norba™, Kiggen™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.

Oshkosh Defense
28.05.2009