OSHKOSH, Wis. — July 30, 2009 — Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), announced today it has received aftermarket support contracts totaling $43.8 million to work with Force Protection Incorporated (FPI) to install the Oshkosh® TAK-4® independent suspension system on more than 500 Cougar Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles for Afghanistan. FPI issued the supply order for engineering and technical support following two contracts awarded from the MRAP Joint Program Office.
The contracts for Oshkosh engineering and installation support will be performed at the MRAP Sustainment Facility in Kuwait and sent to the Afghan theater of operation. Engineers installing the Oshkosh TAK-4 suspension upgrade kits will equip Cougars with the same off-road mobility offered on more than 10,000 Oshkosh Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVR). The suspension kits were awarded under a previous contract and include the TAK-4 proprietary suspension system, an advanced Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS), run-flat tires, steering and brake systems, and other component upgrades.
“The Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension system brings something to the table no one else can provide – unsurpassed off-road mobility,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “Increased mobility translates beyond greater speeds and less-fatigued warfighters – it increases survivability because these vehicles are no longer restricted to the often dangerous road networks in Afghanistan.”
Vehicles outfitted with Oshkosh’s TAK-4 independent suspension system benefit from:
• Increased vehicle mobility – 16 inches of independent wheel travel provide advanced off-road capabilities in the most rugged terrain of Afghanistan
• Improved ride quality – shock and vibration are greatly reduced resulting in mission-ready soldiers and Marines and minimal component damage
• Greater off-road speeds – speed off-road is almost triple that of straight axle vehicles improving mobility as well as survivability
• Lower life-cycle costs – more than 75 percent of the parts are common with the U.S. Marine Corps MTVR for improved reliability, as well as streamlined availability and training.
In testing of early-fielded Cougars upgraded with TAK-4, the customer determined the enhancement significantly improved the vehicle’s mobility. Based on this successful testing, Oshkosh worked with FPI to develop a field-installable kit to upgrade the vehicle. The advanced suspension system, which has undergone more than 400,000 miles of government testing, is also featured on the MRAP-All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV), the U.S. Army’s Palletized Load System (PLS A1) as well as the U.S. Marine Corps’ MTVR and Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR).
More than 1,500 Cougars are being equipped with the Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension through a separate contract, and the company continues to work with the military to evaluate using it on additional MRAP models.
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™, 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.
®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
