TerraMax technology provides force multiplication and protects troops
OSHKOSH, Wis. (Feb. 19, 2015) — Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, will present its TerraMax® Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) technology at the Future Defence Summit Unmanned Systems Conference luncheon on Feb. 23 during the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2015. IDEX will host military leaders and dignitaries from around the world from Feb. 22-26 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“In today’s high-threat environment, crew protection and safety are critical, especially as militaries worldwide look to maximize their current troops and equipment,” said U.S. Army Major General (Retired) John Urias, executive vice president of Oshkosh Corporation and president of Oshkosh Defense. “Our extensively tested TerraMax technology provides armed forces the option to complete missions in dangerous situations with fewer troops, protecting countless lives.”
The Oshkosh TerraMax UGV technology has proven capable of being seamlessly integrated into convoy operations during live-force military evaluations and has been tested in virtually every manner of tactical environment. Unlike remote-controlled or tele-operated systems, TerraMax UGVs leverage the latest robotics technology that enables them to perceive and navigate complex, off-road environments entirely unmanned, with minimal operator supervision. TerraMax UGVs autonomously complete predetermined missions in the lead, or any position within a convoy while cooperating with other convoy vehicles and maintaining prescribed separation distances. TerraMax UGVs can be commanded on the fly to follow the same path as a lead vehicle, and because they do not rely on actively tracking the lead vehicle with its sensors, following distances beyond line of sight are possible. This flexibility is critical for troop’s safety, providing safe standoff from IEDs.
Oshkosh has produced and sustained more than 150,000 tactical wheeled vehicles for the United States and International militaries. Oshkosh serves armed forces around the globe by offering a full portfolio of heavy, medium, mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP), airport rescue fire fighting (ARFF), and light vehicles. As the leading military vehicle manufacturer and ground operations experts, Oshkosh delivers an autonomous system with an unrivaled level of integration that can boost the performance and protection levels of logistics convoys. TerraMax UGV technology is delivered as a scalable kit that can be tightly integrated onto any tactical vehicle without compromising the vehicle’s original payload and performance capabilities. TerraMax UGVs are built to operate for extended periods of time, day or night, through dust and adverse weather without the fatigue or loss of awareness that can commonly afflict human operators.
TerraMax is designed to support rapid deployment allowing troops to be trained on TerraMax-equipped vehicles in only a few days. The user-friendly TerraMax operator control unit (OCU) serves as a significant force multiplier that empowers a single operator to supervise multiple unmanned ground vehicles from a stand-off distance. TerraMax UGV technology enables commanders to remove drivers from the vehicle entirely and minimize the number of troops exposed to potential threats such as IEDs.
Oshkosh has been supporting militaries in the Middle East for nearly 30 years and has a well-established presence with program offices in the United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Countries throughout the region, including the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Oman, rely on Oshkosh vehicles for tactical and logistical operations. Oshkosh retains partnerships with industries in select markets and provides the full spectrum of vehicle life-cycle sustainment capabilities through its Integrated Product Support services.
Oshkosh will showcase its TerraMax technology and its capabilities at IDEX booth #02-B11 along with the MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) Extended Wheel Base Medical (EXM) and Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (L-ATV). Oshkosh Defense leadership will be available throughout IDEX to discuss the company’s commitment to the Middle East and North Africa region and its full range of vehicles, technology and service offerings.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense is a leading provider of tactical wheeled vehicles and life cycle sustainment services. For decades 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 access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency, military and specialty 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 by rental companies, concrete placement and refuse businesses, fire & emergency departments, municipal and airport services and defense forces, where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the cyclical nature of the Company’s access equipment, commercial and fire & emergency markets, which are particularly impacted by the strength of U.S. and European economies; the strength of emerging market growth and projected adoption rates of work at height machinery; the expected level and timing of DoD and international defense customer procurement of products and services and funding thereof; risks related to reductions in government expenditures in light of U.S. defense budget pressures, sequestration and an uncertain DoD tactical wheeled vehicle strategy, including the Company’s ability to successfully manage the cost reductions required as a result of lower customer orders in the defense segment; the Company’s ability to win a U.S. Joint Light Tactical Vehicle production contract award and international defense contract awards; the Company’s ability to increase prices to raise margins or offset higher input costs; increasing commodity and other raw material costs, particularly in a sustained economic recovery; risks related to facilities expansion, consolidation and alignment, including the amounts of related costs and charges and that anticipated cost savings may not be achieved; global economic uncertainty, which could lead to additional impairment charges related to many of the Company’s intangible assets and/or a slower recovery in the Company’s cyclical businesses than Company or equity market expectations; risks related to the collectability of receivables, particularly for those businesses with exposure to construction markets; the cost of any warranty campaigns related to the Company’s products; risks related to production or shipment delays arising from quality or production issues; risks associated with international operations and sales, including foreign currency fluctuations and compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; the impact of severe weather or natural disasters that may affect the Company, its suppliers or its customers; cyber security risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to a data security breach; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this press release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.
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