PARIS–With the expectation that the Pentagon in the beginning of FY ‘19 is likely to certify moving Oshkosh’s [OSK] Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) to full-rate production, the company is looking to continue exploring opportunities for the program overseas.
Oshkosh officials aim for the decision to move the JLTV for full delivery to the Army and Marine Corps, after successfully completing operational evaluations. Meanwhile, European market interest continues to grow along with a planned vehicle demo in September in the UK.
“Assuming that we have a successful outcome, and we have no reason to expect otherwise, then we’ll move into full-rate production,” Mike Ivy, Oshkosh’s senior vice president for international programs & global product support, told Defense Daily at the Eurosatory conference here. “And so there’s no reason to expect anything other than a successful milestone C decision.”
A “milestone C” designation notes completion of full reliability and performance testing, and ability to offer full logistical support for the vehicle. Oshkosh was selected for the JLTV program to replace the Army and Marine Corps’ Humvees in 2015.
Ivy believes the rigorous testing DoD has put JLTV through has made the vehicle a more enticing offer for the European market, especially the UK.
The British Army has discussed likely intentions to purchase Oshkosh L-ATV for its Multi Role Vehicle-Protected program.
“There’s a lot of interest internationally in JLTV. So we’ve [demonstrated] it. We’re showing it with a European weapon system on the top of the truck, that’s [Belgium’s] FN weapon system,”Ivy said. “Most foreign countries that have expressed interest in the JLTV are interested in the DoD version, and then they’ll kit it out with their own systems on top. Which is what we encourage quite frankly.”
Oshkosh officials will be demonstrating the JLTV at the Dynamic Vehicle Demonstration show in the U.K. in September.
An earlier demo was also held in the U.K. in March with eight unnamed countries.