3 companies awarded JLTV technology demonstration contracts
The U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps today selected three companies to continue development on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. The technology development contract will be 27 months in duration. The first 15 months require competitors to develop and deliver seven JLTV variants, four trailers, four blast hulls, and ballistic panels that will be used for testing. The remaining 12 months are scheduled for government testing. The Technology Development phase will then be followed by a Systems Design and Development phase and, later, by a production contract.
The three companies are BAE Systems-Navistar, General Tactical Vehicles (GTV), and Lockheed Martin-BAE Systems.
Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Owego, NY, which leads the JLTV Team as prime contractor, will receive a $35.9 million contract from the two services for the program’s 27-month technology development phase. Lockheed Martin currently has three operational prototypes: the JLTV Category B model, which is designed as an infantry carrier and was unveiled in October 2007; the Utility Vehicle Light Category C model, which is designed with a focus on payload and was introduced in February 2008; and the General Purpose Mobility Category A model, which was unveiled earlier this month at the Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting and Exhibition. Lockheed Martin is currently in the process of building its fourth JLTV prototype, an additional variant of the Infantry Carrier, and anticipates completing production in November. The Lockheed Martin-led JLTV Team includes BAE Systems Mobility & Protection Systems, providing advanced armor solutions and production facilities for high volume assembly; Alcoa Defense, supplying materials experience, design services and aluminum components that give the vehicle its structural strength at reduced weight; and JWF - Defense Systems, offering state-of-the-art machining and cost-effective fabrication.
General Tactical Vehicles (GTV), a joint venture between General Dynamics Land Systems and AM General, has been awarded a $45 million Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) contract from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. The GTV JLTV design features a robust light-weight hybrid hull, semi- active suspension system, digital cockpit, and over 95 percent common components across the entire JLTV family of vehicles. Key deliverables under the JLTV TD contract include seven vehicles and four trailers representing the three mission role variants (infantry, general purpose, utility) comprising the JLTV Family of Vehicles; designs for each of 10 sub-configurations; and ballistic hulls and sample armor components for government testing.
BAE Systems, through its Ground Systems line of business, and teammate Navistar Defense, LLC have been awarded a $40.5 million for JLTV technology demonstration phase. The BAE Systems-Navistar JLTV proposal is named the Valanx. Valanx is a family of v-hulled, blast-resistant vehicles that optimize what’s referred to as the “iron triangle” - payload, protection and performance - to meet all requirements of the JLTV program. There are several variations of the Valanx designed to meet scouting, general mobility, infantry carrying, ambulatory and other needs for combat troops. Vehicle models for the various Valanx variations will be designed and fabricated during 2009 and tested in 2010, leading to the selection of two teams for a JLTV system development and demonstration (SDD, Milestone B) in 2011. The team also includes Arvin Meritor to manufacture the lightweight independent suspension and drivetrain solutions for the Valanx. The company is a leading designer and manufacturer of automotive advanced mobility systems and is the largest axle supplier to the U.S. military.