OSHKOSH, Wis. — Feb. 2, 2009 — Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), will continue to provide superior protection for soldiers and Marines serving in Afghanistan’s rugged battlefields through its newest offering of the Oshkosh® MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV). Oshkosh Defense has joined forces with Plasan North America to outfit the M-ATV with a battle-tested, mission-proven armor system that provides maximum survivability. Survivability is an essential requirement of the M-ATV, a new combat vehicle that the U.S. Department of Defense is calling for to meet survivability and mobility needs in the region.
Teaming with Oshkosh, Plasan brings the technology and experience necessary for a superior armor system. Plasan has developed the armor for more than 5,000 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in Iraq and for the Oshkosh Armored Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) currently conducting operations in Afghanistan. The M-ATV armor is based on an advanced armor solution that has been government tested and received an “excellent/low-risk” evaluation. In addition, Plasan continues to perform numerous material-coupon and mine-blast tests to support the M-ATV survivability system.
“Retaining MRAP survivability levels is a top priority for the M-ATV program, which is why Oshkosh Defense is teamed with Plasan,” said John Stoddart, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “Already used and proven on MRAPs and MTVRs in Iraq, Plasan’s armor system has proven highly successful and saves lives. That same high level of crew protection has been integrated into the Oshkosh M-ATV.”
The Oshkosh M-ATV features the battle-tested Oshkosh TAK-4® independent suspension system and a powerful drivetrain, allowing the vehicle to carry heavier armor if needed. The vehicle’s bolt-on armor streamlines in-theater armor upgrades or repairs and drastically reduces the amount of time to ramp up for mass production. In addition, the Oshkosh M-ATV consists entirely of rugged and durable military components, as opposed to commercial components that have had to be retrofitted or modified for military use.
Oshkosh delivers the M-ATV with the survivability, mobility, mission-proven, production-ready and best value/low price solution required for Afghanistan. The vehicle is based on the combat-proven MTVR chassis, which has been successfully operating for several years in off-road missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit oshkoshdefense.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corp. manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, BAI®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, Geesink™, Norba™, Kiggen™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
• TAK-4 is a registered trademark of Oshkosh Corporation.
