Oshkosh Surround View, Forward Collision Warning and TerraMax UGV increase safety for a full range of ground operations
OSHKOSH, Wis. (Oct. 13, 2014) – Demonstrating the critical importance of safety across a spectrum of ground operations, Oshkosh Defense, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, will showcase its new driver assist safety systems that span from basic forward collision warning to fully autonomous vehicle operation in high-threat environments. Oshkosh will debut these systems on the new Oshkosh MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) Intervention variant at the AUSA 2014 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.
“Troop safety is the highest concern regardless of the military duty performed,” said U.S. Army Major General (Retired) John Urias, executive vice president of Oshkosh Corporation and president of Oshkosh Defense. “Reducing vehicle accidents large and small translates into a more productive force and significant cost savings for the Department of Defense.”
According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation1, integrated crash warning systems can improve driver performance. In addition, an overwhelming percentage of commercial truck drivers who field tested integrated crash warning systems preferred driving a truck with these systems because they were more aware of the traffic environment around their vehicles and their lane position.
“Our engineers have adapted sophisticated commercial technologies, many of which are now widely available in consumer and commercial vehicles, to provide driver assist safety systems that can be easily applied to the military’s existing vehicle fleet,” added Urias.
Oshkosh Defense will display its Surround View and Forward Collision Warning systems on its new M-ATV Intervention (EXI) variant. These modern safety systems are designed to assist troops operating large tactical wheeled vehicles in a manner similar to systems ever-present in the consumer automotive market today.
Oshkosh Surround View System
The Oshkosh Surround View system is equipped with six wide-angle cameras, embedded video processing and a driver display with multiple selectable viewing points. With Surround View, the operator has a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle, which increases awareness of the immediate surroundings, eliminates blind spots, and ultimately reduces the risk of collisions while performing low-speed maneuvers and in driving situations when visibility is limited.
Oshkosh Forward Collision Warning System
The Oshkosh Forward Collision Warning system gives the vehicle operator advanced warning of potential hazards that could result in a collision with other vehicles or pedestrians. Based on a single sophisticated camera, the system instantly alerts the operator to the specific nature of the danger. The system presents distinct, color-coded warnings combined with a haptic driver’s seat.
“The driver assist safety systems we are displaying at AUSA showcase low-cost solutions that could enable significant benefits,” said Urias. “These safety systems originated from the proficiencies gained from our TerraMax unmanned ground vehicle technology, which is capable of protecting troops in the highest threat environments.”
TerraMax™ Unmanned Ground Vehicle Technology
In autonomous operation mode, the Oshkosh TerraMax unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technology enables military leaders to remove personnel from leader and/or follower vehicles traveling high risk routes, which provides greater standoff distance from explosive threats. Using an open systems architecture, TerraMax UGV can readily adapt as mine rollers, ground penetrating radar, and other emerging systems are integrated for the detection, disruption and pre-detonation of explosive hazards.
“Vehicles equipped with TerraMax UGV can be used in concert with manned vehicles for a spectrum of operations including logistics convoys, route clearance and counter-IED missions, airfield construction and support, and more,” said Urias. “This technology allows vehicles to operate for extended periods of time through challenging terrain, dust, darkness, rain, snow and other adverse conditions without the fatigue or loss of awareness that can afflict human operators. This capability really forces us to think differently about how we conduct certain ground operations.”
The full range of Oshkosh safety systems – from forward collision avoidance to full autonomous operation for route clearance missions – has been applied to the M-ATV Family of Vehicles. The M-ATV Family includes two multi-mission models, the M-ATV Standard and M-ATV Extended, with many variants. The M-ATV Standard model provides response and support capabilities for a range of offensive and defensive missions in off-road environments. The M-ATV Extended model delivers increased capacity for additional troops and equipment to support a wider range of missions, such as mounted infantry support, explosive ordinance support and command-and-control.
Oshkosh Defense will showcase its M-ATV Intervention variant, Surround View, Forward Collision Warning and TerraMax UGV user interface at AUSA booth #1925. Oshkosh Defense leadership will be available to discuss the company’s vehicles, technologies and services.
1 Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems, Heavy-Truck Field Operational Test Key Findings Report, DOT HS 811 362, August 2010
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense is a leading provider of tactical wheeled vehicles and life cycle sustainment services. For more than 90 years, Oshkosh has been mobilizing military and security forces around the globe by offering a full portfolio of heavy, medium, light and highly protected military vehicles to support our customers’ missions. In addition, Oshkosh offers advanced technologies and vehicle components such as TAK-4® independent suspension systems, TerraMax™ unmanned ground vehicle solutions, Command Zone™ integrated control and diagnostics system, and ProPulse® diesel electric and on-board vehicle power solutions, to provide our customers with a technical edge as they fulfill their missions. Every Oshkosh vehicle is backed by a team of defense industry experts and complete range of sustainment and training services to optimize fleet readiness and performance. Oshkosh Defense, LLC is an Oshkosh Corporation company (NYSE:OSK).
To learn more about Oshkosh Defense, please visit us at 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 Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™, 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, please visit to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, TM All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
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