OSHKOSH, Wis. (Feb. 22, 2012) — Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), and the U.S. military have reached a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against improvised explosive devices (IED) in Afghanistan, having recently completed the in-theater installation of the 3,500th Oshkosh MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) Underbody Improvement Kit (UIK) in less than seven months to give Warfighters new levels of protection against the threats.
In response to larger IEDs, Oshkosh worked closely with the MRAP Joint Program Office (JPO) to design and deliver the first M-ATV UIK in less than 30 days. The kits increase the M-ATV’s protection level beyond the initial requirements and are part of Oshkosh’s comprehensive strategy to help keep Warfighters safer on the battlefield without limiting mission-critical off-road mobility.
“Oshkosh Defense uses a modular approach to vehicle design, allowing the M-ATV and several other fielded platforms to accept a wide range of upgrades in-theater as threats evolve,” said John Bryant, vice president and general manager of Joint and Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “We design UIKs and test them thoroughly to meet the government’s stringent survivability requirements. Our Field Service Representatives then go wherever needed, including in-theater, to install the kits in rapid fashion.”
In addition to the M-ATV, Oshkosh produces UIKs to enhance protection for other vehicle platforms. The U.S. Army to date has ordered more than 400 UIKs, also known as C-Kit armor, for the Oshkosh Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A4.
Oshkosh is also developing and conducting independent testing of UIK enhancements for its wide range of light, medium and heavy tactical wheeled vehicle platforms, including the Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV).
Urgent In-Theater Installation
The MRAP JPO established 10 UIK installation sites in Afghanistan, while Oshkosh designed the lean process flow and specified, procured, packaged and delivered the tooling required to support the installations. Working together, the MRAP JPO’s universal workforce and Oshkosh installed the first 3,500 UIKs in less than seven months. Oshkosh to date has received orders for more than 8,000 M-ATV UIKs and continues to install the kits in-theater.
The Oshkosh UIKs take advantage of the M-ATV’s flexible design and industry-leading suspension system to accept additional armor. Similar to the M-ATV’s bolt-on armor, UIKs can be installed in-theater without the need for welding or major fabrication.
U.S. military technicians in Afghanistan have also installed 400 UIKs for a total of more than 3,900 M-ATVs with greater protection levels in-theater to date. Additionally, Oshkosh delivered more than 500 new M-ATVs with factory-installed UIKs.
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 Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, 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, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, TM All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
Forward-Looking Statements
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