By Ann Roosevelt
Oshkosh Corp.’s [OSK] Defense division and General Dynamics‘ [GD] Land Systems-Canada yesterday announced an agreement that will team the two companies in pursuit of two Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) wheeled vehicle programs: the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) and the Standard Military Pattern (SMP) portion of the Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS).
The new programs are expected to enhance the capabilities of the Canadian Forces with protected, high-performance vehicle fleets.
The TAPV program consists of two variants, reconnaissance and general utility, which would replace the Coyote reconnaissance vehicle and the Armored Patrol Vehicle (APV), according to DND.
In July, DND said the TAPV would carry crew of four and will be equipped with either a one-man turret or a Remote Weapon Station (RWS). The general utility vehicle, the new armored personnel carrier, would have a crew of three, be able to carry an additional four equipped passengers and fitted with a RWS.
The TAPV schedule as posted by DND is for an RFP release this summer, with a contract award next summer. An initial operational capability is expected in 2013, and the project would close out in 2019.
The MSVS program will replace the Medium Logistics truck fleet. The RFP will be posted this spring, with a contract award in the spring of 2011. The first delivery is expected in the spring of 2011, with deliveries completed in 2013.
A Letter of Interest was released last summer calling for 200 reconnaissance vehicles, 300 of the general utility variant with deliveries to begin in 2012 and achieving an operational capability a year later.
Canada’s preferred solution is a military-off-the-shelf vehicle with the original equipment manufacturer integrating Canadian components.
Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits policy applies to the procurement, meaning the winning company must generate economic activity in Canada, dollar for dollar equal to the contract value.
Ron Ziebell, vice president and general manager, International Programs, Oshkosh Defense, said: “The superior offerings we can provide with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada made our cooperation the obvious choice as we considered how best to serve the DND soldiers. General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada has a significant Canadian presence, which will allow for localized, Canada-based sustainment of these two programs in our effort to provide true complete lifecycle support of these programs.”
Sridhar Sridharan, senior vice-president of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, said: “Oshkosh Defense vehicle platforms have proven, world-class performance capabilities and they push the engineering envelope to deliver the best tactical wheeled vehicle fleets in the field. We are pleased to be working with a company that can help deliver the survivable, off-road capable and technologically advanced vehicles that the Canadian Forces need for both the MSVS and TAPV.”
Oshkosh Defense would serve as the prime contractor and leverage current vehicle fleets in its responses for the TAPV and MSVS programs.
Oshkosh has produced more than 70,000 military-class vehicles, including the MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle, Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement and the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV).
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada will provide systems integration and testing support for the vehicle as well as extensive logistics, training, technical manuals, and spare parts management to Canadian requirements.
This is the second time Oshkosh Defense and General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada will work together on a program.
Oshkosh Defense is currently providing more than 120 TAK-4r independent suspension systems for the General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada RG-31 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle to deliver enhanced off-road mobility and ride quality.