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Last Updated: Jul 2, 2009 - 9:31:45 AM |
Oshkosh Corp. has won a $1 billion contract to build new,
mine-resistant vehicles for off-road use in Afghanistan, the Pentagon
said June 30, with soldiers and Marines expected to receive the bulk.
The Wisconsin-based vehicle maker will oversee production of 2,244
heavily anticipated Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain
Vehicles, and the order could grow to as many as 10,000 M-ATVs,
Pentagon officials have said.
The M-ATV is needed to provide the same type of protection expected of
the MRAP while offering additional mobility, top Pentagon officials
have said. MRAPs have struggled with the rocky terrain in Afghanistan.
On June 2, the Joint Requirements Oversight Council approved a plan for
5,244 M-ATVs to be built, said Cheryl Irwin, a Pentagon spokeswoman.
The plan calls for the Army to receive 2,598, with the Corps getting
1,565, Special Operations Command receiving 643, the Air Force getting
280 and the Navy receiving 65. An additional 93 vehicles would be set
aside for testing, Irwin said.
Because of the Pentagon's urgent demand for these vehicles, Oshkosh
began daily production on its manufacturing line a few weeks ago and
may enlist the help of others to increase production, company officials
said in statement. Oshkosh beat out three other teams to build the
M-ATV: BAE Systems, Navistar International Corp., and Force Dynamics, a
joint venture between General Dynamics Corp. and Force Protection Inc.
Source:Ocnus.net 2009
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