WARRENVILLE, Ill., -- Navistar Defense, LLC received a $178 million contract today to retrofit 1,222 International® MaxxPro® Dash Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles with the DXM™ independent suspension.

The order from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command calls for the vehicles to be upgraded in theater with suspension kits.

“Today’s warfighters require both high survivability protection and off-road mobility to complete their missions safely,” said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense. “The addition of the DXM suspension helps bridge both those capabilities on the MaxxPro Dash while the suspension’s design also allows for quick vehicle integration and rapid delivery.”

MaxxPro Dash vehicles will be retrofitted in theater with the DXM solution provided by Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems and AxleTech International. Under the contract, retrofits are scheduled to begin by the end of April with work to be completed by the end of March 2011. Navistar is coordinating the installation of the DXM retrofits with the Joint Program Office. Currently, the company has more than 275 field service representatives (FSRs) in Iraq and Afghanistan to provide in-theater vehicle support for the MaxxPro fleet.

“Our continued efforts to improve performance paired with our manufacturing capability allow us to deliver the most advanced equipment to those who need it most - when they need it,” said Bob Walsh, vice president, Navistar Defense. “Navistar is also prepared to retrofit the remaining MaxxPro fleet, as well as the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police vehicle fleets with DXM kits and rolling chassis if needed.”

The award follows the company’s contract announced February 16 to provide 1,050 enhanced MaxxPro Dash vehicles. To date, the company’s total MaxxPro MRAP orders equate to 7,494 vehicles. Approximately 2,272 vehicles in the MaxxPro fleet will be enhanced with the DXM independent suspension solution. Additionally, Navistar has provided more than 8,100 International® 7000 Series vehicles to the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.

Navistar Defense
16.03.2010