Designed for crew-served and remote weapon systems
Oshkosh Defense is at this week’s SOFIC with a Heavy Guns Carrier (HGC) JLTV variant with B-kit armour on display. The HGC variant is designed for crew-served and remote weapon systems. George Mansfield, Vice President and General Manager for Joint Programs at the company, noted with a protected gun mount, it is the principal light vehicle for over-watch and direct fire support of infantry manoeuvres, convoy escort and security missions. “Advanced non-kinetic weapon systems can also be integrated to defend against swarming UAV threats. This capability allows the JLTV to seamlessly integrate with combat formations,” he added.
The JLTV will be outfitted with the Kongsberg Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) with JAVELIN Integration Kit and .50 Caliber Machine Gun, further showcasing the vehicle’s ability to pack on a multitude of lethal weapons without sacrificing speed. As reported earlier this year (https://monch.com/mpg/news/land/5217-ausa19-oshkosh-l-atv.html), Oshkosh Defense unveiled its JLTV Ambulance variant at AUSA Global Force Symposium. For an update, Mr Mansfield noted the JLTV Ambulance was a design concept, “so there are currently no active orders. With each of our vehicles we like to showcase all the possible roles and capabilities, and tradeshows provide us with the perfect opportunity to gather voice of the customer on other possible mission sets. We gathered some great feedback on the concept. Post-AUSA GFS, we’ve continued showing the JLTV Ambulance to medical commands to gather additional voice of the customer as we finalise our design and begin testing.”
With respect to the overarching JLTV programme, the Oshkosh executive observed the JLTV, “remains on budget and on schedule and continues to be a top modernisation priority for the military.”
The JLTV programme is currently in Low Rate Initial Production and has completed all reliability qualification and performance test activities as well as logistics supportability evaluations around the country. The US Army and Marine Corps both began receiving vehicles this January and to date, more than 3,700 JLTVs have been delivered. Fielding will continue to increase through Summer/Fall 2019 and each service will reach Initial Operating Capability in fiscal year 2020. Mr Mansfield built the business to invest in JLTV observing the vehicle, “is a disruptive force multiplier that enables operators to scale-up or scale-down for a full range of military operations – from environmental and peace-keeping missions to high threat, hostile conditions,” and noting the JLTV is the only light weight vehicle that can manoeuvre with combat formations while supporting advanced networking and increased firepower. “Armed with its payload capacity and a system integration-minded design, the JLTV can support increased lethality and outperform adversaries with a multitude of remotely operated weapon configurations including cannons, missiles, and advanced non-kinetic weapon systems for use against land and air threats,” he concluded.
Marty Kauchak
