OSHKOSH, Wis. (April 4, 2007) – Today, Oshkosh Truck Corporation (NYSE:OSK) unveiled its first modified version of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) truck with the integrated capability to produce 120 kilowatts of exportable power. The U.S. Department of Defense awarded the company a development contract to produce a prototype vehicle following Oshkosh Truck’s successful integration of the ProPulse® hybrid-electric drive technology into the company’s Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A3 vehicle.
Oshkosh Truck was awarded the contract in 2006 after responding to a broad agency announcement seeking vehicles with the ability to provide the 60kw of exportable power required by Marine Corps mission planners. The Oshkosh On-Board Vehicle Power (OBVP) system is capable of exporting twice as much power as the requirements specified in the original request from the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
At a time when modern military equipment drives a greater demand for electricity, yet mobility requirements also increase, the MTVR, equipped with elements of Oshkosh Truck’s proprietary ProPulse technology offers a considerable advantage with its exportable power capabilities. The modified MTVR is equipped with enough exportable electrical energy to power a small airport or city block.
“This request by the Office of Naval Research attracted some of the most brilliant technical minds in the military vehicle industry,” said John Stoddart, executive vice president of Oshkosh Truck and president of defense. “Oshkosh’s technology, being deemed the most appropriate solution for the Marine Corps’ requirements, is a testament to the level of technology advancements at Oshkosh.”
The On-Board Vehicle Power system will require only minor modifications to the current MTVR platform. The generator and multimotor box will replace the current transmission and transfer case found on a standard MTVR. All of the current drive-line components will remain the same, minimizing cost, and making the new kit relatively simple to install on current vehicles with little impact to the present design. Oshkosh has proposed to install the OBVP technology on vehicles that are being rebuilt at its facilities in Oshkosh. This approach will make installation easier and reduce the costs associated with the installation.
Current tactical power hardware requires vehicles to tow cumbersome generator sets, which can weigh more than 6,000 pounds and reduce the off-road capability of the vehicle. The Oshkosh Truck OBVP solution will add only 2,440 pounds to the weight of the vehicle, which will retain its full off-road capacity. The export power capability can deliver 20 percent more power than currently fielded equipment, without reducing mobility. In addition, the onboard generator will provide 21kw of power while on the move, for missions that require high amounts of power while in transit.
“Our military vehicle technology is some of the most respected in the industry,” said Stoddart. “Our plan is to ensure it stays that way by advancing technology that will help the U.S. military revolutionize its future fleets.”
About Oshkosh Truck Corporation
Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire and emergency, and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh’s products are valued worldwide by rental companies, fire and emergency units, defense forces, municipal and airport support services, and concrete placement and refuse businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshtruck.com.
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ProPulse is a registered trademark of Oshkosh Truck Corporation.
