OSHKOSH, WIS. (Sept. 8, 2000) – Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NASDAQ:OTRKB] announced today that it will field its Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) – Load Handling Systems (LHS) to Fort Lewis, just outside Tacoma, Wash. A total of 56 units will be deployed to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division stationed at Fort Lewis within 12 months. These Oshkosh trucks will serve as combat service support vehicles for the Initial Brigade Combat Team (IBCT).
Fort Lewis is the site of the U.S. Army transformation program rollout, which began a few months ago. The Army’s vision of the future calls for a lighter, more rapidly deployable force that is needed to respond quickly to developing regional conflicts. The new vision includes changing the warfare scenario to first understand the situation, quickly maneuver the force and then make contact at the time and place of the force’s choosing.
The 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division have been selected as the first IBCTs. The IBCT is a new concept in fighting, designed to increase mobility and effectiveness in the field. These prototype brigades are currently developing tactics and procedures for the new force.
“We are looking for new . . . equipment to help us fight that way,” said Maj. Gen. James Dubik, in Army Magazine’s September issue. Dubik is the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s (TRADOC’s) deputy commanding general for transformation.
“This is what Oshkosh really does best. We use our experience and know-how to create a vehicle that meets the mission profile. In this case, the U.S. Army has selected one of our most technologically advanced vehicles to play a strategic role in the Army’s future fighting force. It’s a cost-effective solution for supporting this new initiative,” said Robert G. Bohn, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Oshkosh.
The HEMTT-LHS is one of the vehicles that significantly reduce the Army’s “logistics footprint” by minimizing the number of vehicles and resources required to accomplish the mission. It features the same LHS as the revolutionary Oshkosh Palletized Load System vehicle, allowing the truck to load and unload cargo without any additional material handling equipment. It takes less than one minute for the driver to load and unload, without ever leaving the cab. Decreasing its logistics footprint is among the priorities of the U.S. Army’s transformation program.
“The HEMTT-LHS can take on the workload that used to require three trucks. And, it’s readily deployable. It can carry 11 tons of ammo and equipment. Yet, unloaded, it still fits into a C-130 aircraft, so it can be put down anywhere in the world within hours,” explained Bohn.
Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NASDAQ: OTRKB] is a leading manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the defense, fire and emergency, concrete placement and refuse hauling markets. Products are marketed under the Oshkosh, Pierce and McNeilus brand names. The company is headquarters in Oshkosh, Wis., and has annual sales of $1.165 billion
For financial information, contact, Charles L. Szews, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at (920) 235-9151, Ext. 2332. For media queries, contact Kirsten Skyba, Vice President, Communications at (920) 233-9621.
