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Oshkosh JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle)

2018 MODERN

History of the Oshkosh JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle)

The United States and its allies have taken full advantage of the AM General HUMVEE (High Mobility, Multipurpose Vehicle) since its introduction in 1985. Nearly 300,000 prototypes of this type were produced in various forms, including "upgraded armor" derivatives, anti-aircraft platforms, anti-tank vehicles and many special mission variants. However, the vehicle was designed at a time when the U.S. Army and Marine Corps threatened war with the Soviet Union, and its origins lie in the thinking of that period and the doctrine of the battlefield that followed.

With the recent fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, changes are in order, and once the fighting subsides, a replacement for this proud vehicle is finally sought. The modern battlefield now presents an entirely new threat to the infantry - improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and more guerrilla warfare in urban environments, a far cry from the days when U.S. forces led Soviet forces across and fought through the vast continent of Europe. many villages.

In November 2006, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) was introduced to find a suitable complement or direct replacement for the classic Hummer. The overall design concept was completed by the end of 2007, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) was sent to interested parties in early 2008.

Based on the popularity of the HUMVEE series on U.S. services, the contract will be quite lucrative for the winner, estimated to be worth billions of dollars. The winner will be employed by the U.S. Army and USMC Service, so the program is named "Joint" Light Tactical Vehicle.

Furthermore, this type of endorsement will undoubtedly lead to tens of thousands of overseas sales over time.

Upcoming vehicles must be designed to meet various specific requirements for U.S. military service. A key feature is the air transport capability of existing and future aircraft, requiring vehicles to meet certain size and weight constraints.

Based on combat experience against insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq, crew survivability needs to be upgraded to the level of existing mines and improvised explosive devices. Amenities such as air conditioning and refrigeration equipment will be required, and "smart" computer systems for on-board diagnostics will be able to explain any problems for operators and mechanics. Hooks at the rear of the chassis allow to tow artillery and supply trailers as needed.

The completed vehicle should also conform to the Army's existing Long Term Armored Strategy (LTAS) plan.

Initial participants include Boeing/Textron, General Dynamics/AM General, Fore Protection/DRS, Northrop Grumman/Oshkosh, Lockheed/BAe Systems and Raytheon/Blackwater several joint ventures of the company. The crop was eventually narrowed down to Lockheed, General Tactical Vehicle and BAe systems, with each supplier submitting prototypes as technology demonstrations. Army requirements have changed, which has evolved the JLTV program, which now includes players from AM General and Oshkosh.

Oshkosh's entry was his L-ATV model, which debuted in 2011.

In 2012, Lockheed, Oshkosh, and AM General were selected to advance their submissions, followed by a rigorous evaluation phase. The final proposal was approved in late 2014, and the Oshkosh JLTV was announced as the winner of the U.S. Army competition on August 25, 2015, marking the beginning of the end of HUMVEE's service in the U.S. Army.

About twenty-two prototypes made up the final test, which lasted fourteen months. Nearly 17,000 units will fill the first major production order, which is scheduled for 2016. The order value is $6. $7 billion, a solid win for the Wisconsin-based conglomerate.

The Army hopes to have its first operational JLTV group later in 2018.

The JLTV uses a basic 4x4 wheel configuration for excellent ground clearance and off-road support. As usual, the engine is housed in the front compartment and the driving position is front left. The crew compartment is a module with bulletproof windows and armored doors. The roof accommodates a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) or manned traversable turret and provides adequate protection from all sides, including overhead. In addition, the turret can be fitted with tube-launched anti-tank missiles (ATGMs) and "bunker destroyer" weapons.

The rear of the vehicle is open to meet mission requirements. Like other MRAP vehicles, the JLTV has an anti-mine feature designed to reduce damage to the vehicle caused by vehicle occupants driving over mines or connecting to hidden explosive devices.

The armor also prevents small arms fire, and 4 smoke grenade launchers provide self-protection.

Additional features include an integrated AC/DC power box, electronic warfare (EW) suite, full GPS support for navigation, SATCOM, HF, UHF and VHF available, as well as onboard crew communication systems and computers. Situational awareness is enhanced by the incidental services of "Silent Surveillance" units, infrared cameras, long-range surveillance capabilities and gunshot detection systems.

The Automatic Fire Suppression System (AFSS) provides a recovery point for the vehicle in the event of a direct impact causing a fire on board, endangering injured or unconscious crew members.

The diesel engine will power the track, with a top speed of 70 mph and a range of 300 miles. "TAK-4i" stands for Adaptive Intelligent Independent Wheel Suspension, which provides variable driving comfort depending on the terrain - it can raise or lower the vehicle in flight.

The Oshkosh JLTV is likely to be a welcome addition to the Army and USMC ranks, especially given the limitations the HUMVEE family of vehicles has shown in recent combat experience. Regardless, Oshkosh products represent the evolution of the U.S.

Armed Forces and a new generation of light armored vehicles to keep pace with ongoing mission commitments around the world - covering a variety of hotspots, services, operations and threats.