US Military buying 55,000 Oshkosh L-ATV's for protection of light tank and MRAP but half MRAP weight and more mobility

Oshkosh Defense was awarded a $6.7 billion contract, Aug. 25, for production of the joint light tactical vehicle, or JLTV. Col. John Cavedo, the former JLTV program manager, said the average unit procurement cost will be below the original $399,000 acquisition report, when all the kits are included, in base year 2012 dollars. The average manufacturing cost per vehicle, minus kits and add-ons, will actually be below $250,000.

Oshkosh's L-ATV will deliver a level of protection similar to that of current, but far heavier and less maneuverable, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) class designs, these having far more protection from blast than even the latest up-armored HMMWVs.

The first JLTVs will be fielded to the Army in fiscal 2018, Davis said.

JLTV has been extensively tested and is proven to provide the ballistic protection of a light tank, the underbody protection of an MRAP-class vehicle, and the off-road mobility of a Baja racer. The Oshkosh JLTV allows troops to travel over rugged terrain at speeds 70% faster than today’s gold standard, which is the Oshkosh M-ATV.

Up armored Humvees cost about $220,000 and weight about 2.6 tons. 280,000 Humvees were built.

The Oshkosh Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle will weigh about 6.4 tons and might cost less than $250,000
MRAPs weight 12-25 tons and cost $400,000 to 600,000



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