OSHKOSH, Wis. —— Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, will showcase the latest in autonomous vehicle advancements and other next-generation vehicle technologies at the National Defense Industrial Association’s (NDIA) Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS) 2009, Aug. 18-20 in Detroit.

The company will showcase an Oshkosh demonstration vehicle with autonomous vehicle technologies. The vehicle also features other next-generation Oshkosh technologies, including the proven TAK-4® independent suspension system, ProPulse® hybrid-electric drive and Command Zone™ multiplexed electronics system.

“We take pride in the work being accomplished at the Oshkosh Global Technology Center to help today’s Armed Forces better achieve success, while also shaping the fleets of tomorrow,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “Our TAK-4 system, on both legacy MRAPs and the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV), is proving vital in giving soldiers and Marines the off-road mobility they need in Afghanistan. The autonomous vehicle technology Oshkosh continues to advance and evolve could help take our men and women out of harm’s way and expand the capabilities of the military’s tactical wheeled vehicles.”

Oshkosh Defense is an industry leader in the development of autonomous vehicle technology. The company has a history of teaming with technology experts to continue breaking new ground, including working with the National Robotics Engineering Center of the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University to incorporate a Perception Capabilities Demonstrator. This technology improves the occupants' situational awareness by fusing scanning laser ranging technology with electro-optical vision to create an immersive 3D display of their surroundings referenced to geospatial aerial imagery. In the scenario where the vehicle is traversing a previously driven route, the system is able to render imagery from both the previous and current traverse in real-time allowing a human operator to analyze the scene for changes and quickly identify potential threats such as IEDs. Future development will focus on improved localization for autonomous operations in varied environments, including areas with poor GPS coverage.

The TAK-4 independent suspension system is featured on the M-ATV and more than 10,000 Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVR) supplied to the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy Seabees. The system provides superior off-road mobility for medium and heavy vehicles operating on unimproved roads and challenging cross-country terrain, and it is being retrofitted on more than 2,000 legacy MRAPs in Afghanistan for improved mobility. TAK-4 also is featured on the Marine Corps’ Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) and the Army’s next-generation Palletized Load System (PLS A1).

The ProPulse diesel- and hybrid-electric drive system results in a smaller logistics footprint, fuel-efficiency improvements of as much as 20 percent over conventional power trains and exportable power capabilities. The computer-controlled Command Zone system, featured on the LVSR, provides in-cab diagnostics of all major vehicle systems, including the engine, transmission and braking. Its remote-diagnostics capabilities allow technicians to monitor vehicle diagnostics long distance.

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 Defense
20.08.2009