OSHKOSH, Wis. – Oshkosh Defense LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, today announced a partnership with Michigan Technological University’s Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APS LABS) to support the technology transition of a Vehicle Integrated Power Kit (VIPK).
The VIPK is designed to deliver mobile, on-platform energy to support critical battlefield operations, including a wide range of Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), directed energy weapon systems, missile defense systems, post operations, and field hospitals. The kit can generate up to 120kW of power at 600 volts of direct current and is compliant with the Tactical Microgrid Standard (TMS), enabling interoperability with other power systems in the field. By providing reliable power in austere environments, the system enhances operational flexibility and reduces reliance on external power sources.
The collaboration brings together APS LABS’ advanced research and development capabilities and integration expertise with Oshkosh Defense’s production expertise to transition the VIPK prototype toward scalable application. As the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles A2 (FMTV A2), Oshkosh Defense is supporting commercialization and technology transfer from a prototype to a production ready kit, utilizing our expertise in manufacturability and production with a focus on performance, compatibility, and mission readiness.
“We’re excited to partner with Oshkosh Defense on the VIPK program, combining APS LABS’ agile research and development with Oshkosh’s production capabilities to transition next-generation capabilities for the warfighter,” said Jeffrey D. Naber, Michigan Tech’s Richard & Elizabeth Henes Professor in Energy Systems, who is leading the project. “By deepening our partnership with Oshkosh Defense, a world-class defense leader, we are bridging the gap between academic innovation and scalable, mission-critical solutions.”
“This partnership reflects a focused approach to strengthening the FMTV A2 through incremental capability enhancements that directly support mission demands,” said Jeff Heggemeier, Vice President and General Manager, Oshkosh Defense. “As the original equipment manufacturer, we are enabling the integration of emerging power solutions in a way that aligns with the platform’s design and performance, allowing soldiers to operate critical systems with greater flexibility and reliability in complex environments.”
Through this effort, Oshkosh Defense and Michigan Tech are advancing technologies that enhance vehicle capability and support the evolving needs of the U.S. Army. The collaboration reflects a shared focus on delivering practical, high-performance solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing platforms. Next, the team will complete and validate two prototypes for government assessment and soldier evaluation. As those prototypes move to a test site, APS LABS will begin building two additional prototypes for continued testing and technology demonstrations while the team finalizes the Technical Data Package and further optimizes the design for manufacturability.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, an Oshkosh Corporation business [NYSE: OSK], delivers adaptable, connected, and survivable systems critical to the modernization and readiness of the U.S. and its allied forces. As a trusted mobility integrator, Oshkosh brings advanced vehicles, intelligent systems, and mission-critical technologies together into unified solutions built for evolving operational demands. Combining defense expertise with commercial scale, Oshkosh accelerates innovation from development through deployment. And because the mission does not end at fielding, Oshkosh provides global sustainment, lifecycle support, and aftermarket solutions that keep fleets ready while advancing the future of defense mobility. Learn more at OshkoshDefense.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we design, develop and deliver purpose-built vehicles, equipment and services that help everyday heroes build, serve and protect communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 19,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™, Oshkosh® Defense and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.
About Michigan Technological University
Michigan Technological University is an R1 public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, computing, forestry, business, health professions, robotics, psychology, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.