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The DoD’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Requirement was centre stage at this year’s AUSA held in Fort Lauderdale in Febuary. JLTV is the U.S. military's next-generation family of tactical wheeled vehicles and trailers, designed to be lightweight and highly-survivable with increased mobility and payload, using technology that is both innovative and practical.
This vehicle will provide the backbone for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps light to medium Requirement from 2012 onwards with an initial Requirement for 63,000. Originally slated to replace all the HMMV inventory of some 180,000 plus, it is likely, like the venerable Land Rover, that both these vehicles will be around for some time to come!
It also will be more mobile, transportable and maneuverable than the mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, or MRAP, being widely deployed in Iraq.
The seven JLTV contenders were reticent to discuss their full offerings with BATTLESPACE given that the Requirement documents are due for return by April 14th, thus they were keeping their cards to their chest, particularly the Oshkosh Northrop Consortium who had their vehicle in a secure tent!
However, all contestants said that we could revisit their bids after that period for a full article in the June DVD issue which can compare the OUVS/JLTV Requirements.
What we did glean is the possibility of the UK, Canada and Australia being asked to join the JLTV Programme to fulfil these countries’ Requirements under the UK OUVS and Australia Land 121 Project (delayed). A sum of some $160m is believed to the contract value for the next stage.
REQUIREMENT
The vehicle Requirement is for three Categories:
1. Cat A requires a very light vehicle configuration with a kerb weight not exceeding 10,750lbs, a Gross Vehicle Weight of 18,200lbs with 4,000lbs of armour and an Appliqué armour kit. The vehicle must be able to carry four passengers under armour at a speed of 76mph cross-country, a common speed for all three variants.
2. Cat B requires a vehicle configuration with a kerb weight not exceeding 15,560lbs, a Gross Vehicle Weight of 24,000lbs with 4,000lbs of armour. The vehicle must be able to carry six passengers under armour with a payload of 4000lbs
3. Cat B requires a vehicle configuration the same as Cat B but with the ability to carry a payload of 51000lbs plus armour in various shelters and flat-bed configurations.
All Categories must be able to provide an exportable power requirement of 10Kw with 30Kw onboard power.
Towing capacity is 10,000lbs gross with a 6,000lb payload.
THE PROGRAMME
Each of the six contestants will submit bids by April 14th which be evaluated and a down select to two or three will be made in June 08.
The next funded phase requires the winners to build seven prototypes which will demonstrate capabilities in all three variants with an extra ‘B’ variant to show C2 on-the-move capabilities. These vehicles will be delivered by September 2009. This Phase will run until 2010 when the System Design and Demonstration Phase will be completed and a design chosen.
The final stage is the Production stage where losing competitors can offer their vehicles back into the competition.
THE CONTENDERS
DRS - FORCE PROTECTION
DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., a business unit of DRS Technologies, Inc., and Force Protection, Inc. announced on day one of AUSA that they will team to compete for JLTV.
DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., a business unit of DRS Technologies, Inc. and Force Protection, Inc. announced at AUSA that they will team to compete for JLTV.
DRS Sustainment Systems will serve as prime contractor for the team, providing overall program management and system integration, drawing upon decades of experience in developing and producing subsystems and integrated solutions in ground mobility for the U.S. military.
Force Protection will design and produce the JLTV base vehicle, including the supplemental armour package, leveraging the proven designs of its Cougar, Buffalo and Cheetah vehicles.
The Company's specialty vehicles, the Cougar and the Buffalo, and the Cheetah are designed specifically for reconnaissance, forward command and control, and urban operations and for the protection of their occupants from landmines, hostile fire and improvised explosive devices (IEDs, commonly referred to as roadside bombs). The company is one of the original developers and primary providers of vehicles for the U.S. military's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, vehicle program. For more information on Force Protection and its vehicles,
DRS's broad range of mission critical systems and sustainment solutions uniquely position the Company to support JLTV. Across the company's four business segments and diverse capability areas, DRS consistently delivers advanced, reliable, and proven solutions in reconnaissance and surveillance, tactical computing, command and control, situational awareness, vehicle diagnostics, power control, supply chain management, and life-cycle support for both tracked and wheeled military vehicles.
DRS told BATTLESPACE that the Company made a conscious decision to pursue JLTV and it is forming a strong international, agile team to bid this Requirement. DRS not only has the ability to provide the advanced technology C4I systems required for JLTV but the company will also support the DRS offering world-wide through its Sustainment Systems segment. The company also has in-house vehicle armouring and crucial reset capabilities. As DRS provides vehicle C4I systems suited for the JLTV Requirement such as DVE and FBCB2 to other contenders, the DRS JLTV Team will be firewalled within the DRS company structure.
“DRS has made the decision to pursue JLTV and with our partner Force Protection we've formed a strong and agile team, with international reach and capabilities, to bid on this joint program. DRS Sustainment Systems brings not only an impressive performance record in system integration on tracked and wheeled tactical vehicles, we also can draw upon the diverse array of proven advanced technology capabilities provided by other business units across the broader DRS organization--from C4I systems, to logistics support and services, to reconnassance, surveillance and target acquisition systems required for any or all the JLTV configurations, " said Al Zimmerman, Vice President of Business Development told BATTLESPACE at AUSA.
Lockheed Martin/BAE Systems
On October 10th, 2006, Lockheed Martin and Armor Holdings, now BAE Systems, announced a teaming to compete for JLTV.
Lockheed Martin will serve as the prime contractor and systems integrator, providing the vehicle design, net-centric capabilities and logistics. BAE Systems will primarily be responsible for vehicle assembly. Additionally, AHI will lead the design and manufacture of the armour survivability subsystems. Alcoa of Pittsburgh, PA, JWF Industries of Johnstown, PA, and Axletech International of Troy, MI will also provide key support to Lockheed Martin for this opportunity.
“This teaming relationship will enhance our capability to provide superior survivability and mission capability for the next generation of tactical wheeled vehicles in the most cost effective manner,” said Louis DeSantis, vice president and general manager of Systems Solutions at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego. “We look forward to providing our nation’s warfighters with a preeminent integrated vehicle solution.”
In early February, Lockheed Martin was awarded a $9m contract to build a technology demonstration vehicle for the second phase of the U.S. Army’s Future Tactical Truck Systems (FTTS) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD). The FTTS ACTD will help refine the requirements for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. In November 2007, Alcoa Defense, a division of Alcoa joined the Lockheed Martin team
During AUSA Lockheed Martin unveiled its second operational JLTV prototype. Lockheed Martin’s first prototype has completed approximately 5,000 miles of on- and off-road testing. This variant which is aimed at the Category C Requirement had a shelter which had been shown on the FMTV vehicle at last year’s AUSA and a trailer which had the same suspension as the vehicle.
“We have already carried out 5000 miles of trails with our first prototype,” Louis DeSantis, vice president and general manager of Ground Vehicle Systems at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego told BATTLESPACE. “Introducing our second operational prototype demonstrates that we are committed to proposing and delivering a low-risk, affordable family of vehicles for JLTV. We’ve been performing as if on contract from the outset and conducting extensive testing with our solution to reduce risk for the government.”
In contrast to Lockheed Martin’s first prototype, the Combat Tactical Vehicle Payload Category B, which was designed as an infantry carrier, the new The Utility Vehicle Light (UVL) Payload Category C prototype is designed with a focus on payload. The variant is used to carry personnel, general cargo and ammunition, or can be configured to carry an S250 shelter. When the shelter is removed, the UVL can be used as a utility or prime mover vehicle.
The UVL also demonstrates the commonality of the Lockheed Martin JLTV family of vehicles. With identical cabs, chassis and drivetrains, the common architecture across variants promotes reduced cost, increased reliability and mission flexibility.
Lockheed Martin serves as the prime contractor and design agent for its JLTV team, providing systems engineering, platform integration, design expertise and program management. BAE Systems Mobility & Protection Systems (formerly Armor Holdings) provides advanced armor solutions and production facilities for high volume assembly. Alcoa Defense supplies materials knowledge, design services and aluminum components that give the vehicle its structural strength at reduced weight. JWF Industries offers state-of-the-art machining and cost-effective fabrication
On April 14th Lockheed Martin submitted its proposal for the Technology Development phase of the competition to build the next-generation Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. The proposal, delivered to the services' joint JLTV program office on April 11, offers an integrated approach to military vehicle survivability that combines vehicle design with systems intelligence. "Today's brute force approach to survivability is based on adding more armor," said DeSantis. "Our holistic approach to JLTV survivability sees armor as a last resort. Long before a threat hits a vehicle, our JLTV will rely on net-centric situational awareness to avoid and communicate threats." The Lockheed Martin vehicle benefits warfighters with features including superior mobility; weapons and countermeasures to neutralize threats; and a new armor composition combined with an innovative hull and structural design for protection if an attack cannot be avoided,”
AM General and General Dynamics Land Systems
In January 2007 AM General and General Dynamics Land Systems announced the formation of a joint venture to compete for the JLTV program.
The new joint venture company called General Tactical Vehicles will design, develop and produce a highly mobile, highly survivable and innovative wheeled utility vehicle for the armed services to meet all the requirements of the JLTV program.
General Tactical Vehicles will locate in the Detroit metropolitan area to leverage the best of American automotive technology and military research and development to deliver the JLTV. The joint venture is the first-ever collaborative project for the two American defense companies, both of whom were awarded JLTV "Best Technical Approach" trade studies by the Office of Naval Research in 2006. Earlier in 2006 General Dynamics Land Systems and Oshkosh Truck to build Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) mock-ups and conceptual designs, modelling and simulation to provide tradeoff analysis for the evaluation of future development of such vehicles.
AM General would not elaborate on their JLTV Bid at AUSA.
Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh Truck
In January 2008 Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh Truck teamed to compete for JLTV. Under the agreement, if selected for the JLTV program, Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector will be the prime contractor and systems integrator. Oshkosh Truck's Defense Group will be responsible for designing, engineering and manufacturing the vehicle. The innovation and experience of both companies, along with the technology, power and an innovative approach, set this team apart from other providers.
"Northrop Grumman brings enormous experience in the design, development and systems integration of complex mission equipment on military platforms," said Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman chairman and chief executive officer. "The fusion of this expertise with Oshkosh Truck's unparalleled capability in advanced extreme-duty vehicles enables our team to deliver the best JLTV solution to our nation's warfighters."
The urgent need to meet JLTV survivability requirements and situational awareness without sacrificing mobility requires an innovative approach to vehicle development.
"Oshkosh Truck has proven its vehicles work in actual rugged conditions -- and not just on a tradeshow floor. By working together with Northrop Grumman and our partners, Oshkosh can provide the total package to meet the military's vehicle needs and ultimately help protect soldiers and Marines. Oshkosh is in a unique position to offer its expertise in the development of Medium Marine and Army Tactical Truck Systems from the existing range of Heavy vehicles. Thus we can utilise this weight-saving technique for our JLTV offering. Northrop Grumman provides crucial C4rI expertise." Ken Juergens, Project Director JLTV of Oshkosh Truck Corporation told BATTLESPACE.
Northrop Grumman integrates a broad spectrum of critical joint combat and C4ISR platforms. Among other technologies, it currently supports the ground component tactical commander as the prime contractor for the Army's Command Post Platform, a high-tech tactical operations center used by brigade-level battlefield commanders to direct operations and control forces.
In February Northrop and Oshkosh selected Plasan to assist with the design and engineering of the armour for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program.
On May 20th Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, announced the signing of two memorandums of understanding relating to aftermarket support of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. Oshkosh signed a memorandum of understanding with the Red River Army Depot (RRAD) on March 25, and the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB), Albany on April 1. Oshkosh Defense solidified the arrangements with the military at a ceremony on May 9 at the RRAD, near Texarkana, Texas.
While the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has not yet awarded Technology Development (TD) phase contracts, these arrangements help establish a framework for the Army and Marine Corps to better service, upgrade and repair the new JLTV family of vehicles.
Northrop Grumman Corporation and Oshkosh Corporation, which teamed to compete for the JLTV program, submitted its proposal in April for the 27-month TD phase. The service depot arrangements will only go into effect if the team receives one of at least three contracts anticipated to be awarded in late June.
The arrangements will open the door for the Army and Marine Corps to develop depot-level maintenance support capabilities for the JLTV family of vehicles. Specific roles and responsibilities are flexible and would be defined after a JLTV production contract is awarded.
“These cooperative efforts between Oshkosh and the military help lay the groundwork for our long-term service and support plans for the JLTV program,” said John Stoddart, executive vice president and president, Defense, Oshkosh Corporation. “The Northrop Grumman-Oshkosh team encourages mutual leveraging of investments to achieve lower lifecycle costs, greater efficiencies and increased value for soldiers and Marines.”
Oshkosh Defense already has contracts with both the RRAD and the MCLB for existing Oshkosh vehicles. The RRAD repairs, rebuilds and converts the Army’s workhorse – Oshkosh’s Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) – in addition to providing other equipment and system maintenance. The MCLB in Albany, Ga., procures, maintains, repairs and rebuilds Marine Corps vehicles and equipment, and is currently under contract for the Oshkosh Logistics Vehicle System (LVS).
BAE SYSTEMS Ground Systems - NAVISTAR
During AUSA BAE Systems, through its Ground Systems line of business, and teammate Navistar International Corporation unveiled a fully-operational system the team will use to compete for JLTV.
"Our approach to the JLTV program is focused on the user," said Matt Riddle, vice president of Wheeled Vehicles at BAE Systems. " The BAE Systems Ground Systems-Navistar JLTV team has taken a user-centric design approach that provides the foundation for a future family of vehicles that will meet the Joint Services' light tactical vehicle requirements for decades to come."
The BAE Systems Ground Systems-Navistar JLTV design optimizes what's referred to as the "iron triangle" - payload, protection and performance - to meet all requirements of the JLTV program. The 16,000-pound vehicle incorporates lessons learned from the U.S. Department of Defense's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected
(MRAP) vehicle program and features the latest in lightweight, advanced armour and a v-shaped hull design to provide unmatched crew protection. The vehicle will out-perform existing tactical systems by providing exportable power that exceeds JLTV requirements and existing MRAP capabilities. Its modular design maximizes commonality across JLTV variants and enables the seamless integration of future technologies.
BAE Systems Ground Systems and Navistar announced their collaboration in October 2007 to take advantage of combined capabilities that most effectively support the JLTV program.
"BAE Systems' proven combat vehicle design excellence combined with Navistar's world class supply chain management, logistics and production capabilities provides unmatched JLTV design, production and support capability from concept to combat," said Archie Massicotte, president of Navistar Defense, an affiliate of Navistar International Corporation.
The teaming arrangement builds off the two company's current leadership in armored and tactical vehicle development and support, which includes the team working together for the benefit of the joint U.S customer on programs like MRAP. Combined, the BAE Systems Ground Systems-Navistar team maximizes JLTV program value through proven capabilities, lean manufacturing and extensive worldwide logistics support.
On average, Navistar produces more than 100,000 vehicles per year and produced more than a half-million engines in 2007 while BAE Systems Ground Systems has successfully produced and supported nearly 100,000 combat and tactical vehicles
- making them one of the leading producers.
The Textron Systems-Boeing-SAIC team
On April 14th Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, The Boeing Company and Science Applications International Corporation announced the addition of SAIC as a full team member and Ford Motor Company as a subcontractor on the team competing for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. The team submitted its proposal today for the 27-month Technology Development (TD) phase of the JLTV program, a multiservice initiative for a family of future light tactical vehicles and companion trailers for the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
The Textron Systems-Boeing-SAIC team combines best-in-class defense experience with unique commercial automotive design and development expertise to produce the best-value solution for Soldiers and Marines. Other participating team members include Ford Motor Company, offering engine options and expertise in power train integration; MillenWorks, leveraging its off-road racing heritage specializing in advanced mobility solutions and rapid prototyping; and Carlson Technology, focusing on pit-stop engineering for maintenance simplicity.
This team offers a survivable, high-performance and affordable family of vehicles, featuring a modular design and vehicle commonality that will accommodate performance upgrades and reduce production and sustainment costs over the life of the program. The team's game-changing innovations deliver greater survivability and tactical mobility, and excellent performance in off-road or urban environments. These innovations also deliver improved transportability and driver and crew visibility, as well as rapid crew ingress and egress. Additionally, hybrid electric drive technology is used to provide extended periods of silent watch capability and organic exportable power, without generators, for purposes other than vehicle operation.
"Combining mature systems design with game-changing technology and unique expertise in armored vehicle manufacturing, systems integration, vehicle electronics and engineering for life-cycle management, the Textron Systems-Boeing-SAIC solution provides the best balance of protection, performance and payload for Soldiers and Marines," said Frank Tempesta, president of Textron Systems. "We are fully committed to delivering a JLTV family of vehicles with unmatched capabilities."
"The Textron Systems-Boeing-SAIC team is leveraging its expertise in tactical wheeled vehicle production, along with its proven experience in large-scale systems engineering and integration, to provide a best-of-industry approach," said Roger Krone, president, Boeing Network and Space Systems. "In addition, we've incorporated the talents and legacy of the commercial automotive industry to ensure a new, yet balanced approach to the design and development of the JLTV family of vehicles for our nation's warfighters."
"Our team's solution takes advantage of hybrid electric drive technology in the drive train, implemented with a focus on achieving JLTV required capabilities," said Jed Dunbar, SAIC's vice president for Landforce Systems Operation. "The drive train is part of the balanced contribution to the 'iron triangle' of protection, payload and performance, enabling a space- and weight-efficient crew compartment. This allows for maximum protection while maintaining payload capability and achieving exceptional mobility performance and increasing acceleration."
Raytheon-Blackwater JLTV
Defense News reported that Blackwater USA and Raytheon unveiled a prototype six-passenger Joint Light Tactical Vehicle at the U.S. Special Operations Industry Conference in Tampa, Fla., on May 21, revealing their teamed-up effort to build a survivable, mobile
next-generation Humvee.
"Our vehicle will go faster and carry more weight safely than any other JLTV," said Blackwater USA Vice President Bill Mathews. "With Raytheon being the integrator for so many ground vehicles for C4ISR, our JLTV will have the technological equivalent of an F-18 cockpit."
The Blackwater-Raytheon partnership aims to combine the fast, off-road vehicle expertise with the systems integration and C4ISR abilities of Raytheon. Made by Ares Systems Group, its appliqué armor uses add-on composite materials designed to provide more protection at lower weight than traditional materials.
"The integral armor packages are exceptional, and the appliqué makes this one really tough, capable vehicle," said Mathews. "We will be providing protection that is on par with MRAPs [Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles] in a package that is mobile."
“Raytheon officials praised the partnership and emphasized the JLTV program's survivability. In the coming weeks, the Blackwater-Raytheon JLTV prototype will be tested with gunfire, high temperatures and other combat conditions,” Mathews said.
Conclusion
As a number of countries such as the U.K., USA, Canada, France Germany and Australia embark on the next stage of battlefield light and medium vehicle development one cannot wonder whether the DoD has taken the right approach to this problem of providing a well-protected medium weight vehicle which carries troops and loads cross-country at fast speeds together with advanced C4I Systems.
One sticking point in all current land systems projects has been the cost of new technologies vs. the benefits provided. New suspension, engine, axle and electric drive systems all come at a price and one wonders whether, given the vulnerability shown by this type of vehicle on today’s battlefields, whether it will ever be affordable to field a $300,000+ vehicle in the front line?
The current process being undertaken by these countries sees them as keeping the existing fleets of Land Rovers and HMMVs into service until at least 2020. This is being done using novel Through Life Support Systems developed by such companies as Hobson Industries in the UK and Oshkosh and the Field Depots in the USA. This will not only give the legacy fleet new life but save MoDs millions in not having to buy an interim vehicle. It also has the added advantage of giving MoDs Green credentials as they formulate cradle to grave processes using Asset Managed Parts and other energy saving techniques. Soon we may see MoDs claiming carbon offsets for keeping their fleets in service rather than costly replacements every ten to twenty years.
However, one vehicle, not in the JLTV mix, but shown at AUSA could prove the answer to this problem at an affordable cost as well as providing the world-wide support required – the International MXT.
The MXT provides increased power and performance over existing HMMV, Land Rover and Pinzgauer vehicles at an affordable price of around $60,000. Its build lends itself to Through Life Support Techniques enabling fast replacement or repair of damaged vehicles, which thus reduces off-road time and inventory. It does not have complex automotive and electrical systems which are the scourge of army repair units at the front line. It also has the Navistar world-wide support network available to any purchaser. In other offerings Land Rover has taken the 6x6 Perentie vehicle and offered this to overseas customers in an upgraded form, whilst JCB has developed the HMUV using its considerable expertise in rough terrain vehicles whilst BAE Systems cancelled its Pinzgauer offering as this vehicle had reached the buffers in terms of upgrade even with the Pinzgauer 2.
Any fleet buyer today looks at ease and availability of repair coupled to long-term reliability and usage. This is why the Scania, Volvo, Mercedes, MAN, IVECO, NAVISTAR and Paccar dominate the world’s civil truck markets. If a user has his vehicle off the road for too long, he loses money, in the military lives are put at risk.
The DoD appears to have looked at protection, speed and agility coupled to C4I systems as the way forward for JLTV. Through Life Support, price and reliability together with a cradle to crave support system seem to have taken second place.
The consideration of an MXT or equivalent with a suite of high-tech C4I systems supplied by such companies as DRS appears to have slipped off the radar in preference to the range unveiled at AUSA which all have ‘cost’ written all over them!
It will be interesting to see whether the Specification put out by the DoD gives a JLTV vehicle that is the leap ahead in technology and performance required or whether, after extreme trials and Through Life costings, we see a return to the drawing board? After all, the automobile world is littered with cars promising to change the way we drive! As the SMC Engineering Director, Mike Stone said when he saw the GSR for the Special Forces Land Rover in 1980, “The only thing they do not want is wings!” Supacat made a similar error in its bid in the 90’s for its MWIMIK prototype, when engineering updates and improvements were required after fielding. JLTV has numbers on its side, but it will be interesting to see when the final design and specification is set in stone. We have seen extensions in FCS and FRES in particular to accommodate engineering changes and technology upgrades, don’t expect JLTV to be any different. 63,000 vehicles is a mouth-watering prize, but it may take many years to get there!
Don’t expect the venerable HMMV and Land Rover fleets to die quickly, using Through Life Support and reset techniques these can last for ever. One clue to why a Land Rover survives on the battlefield is simplicity of build and strength coupled to a suspension (in pre-Wolf models)that is uncomfortable for passengers at high speed, making it less vulnerable to breakdown!
Ironically 2008 is the 60th anniversary of the venerable Land Rover, expect many more years in service for this and its HMMV counterpart.
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