Oshkosh L-ATV

Oshkosh L-ATV
L-ATV during testing.
Type	4-wheeled armored fighting vehicle
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	Oshkosh
Variants	A:, B:, C:,
Specifications
Weight	Curb weight: 14,000 lb (6,400 kg)
Secondary armament	up to four M7 smoke grenade dischargers
Suspension	TAK-4i
Operational range	300 miles
Speed	Forward Road: 70 mph Off road: varies Reverse: 8 mph

The Oshkosh L-ATV (Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle) is an armored vehicle that was one of six competitors for a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle that will replace the Humvee.^[1] The L-ATV delivers MRAP level protection over the current Humvee.^[2]

Design

The cornerstone of the L-ATV is the TAK-4i (intelligent) independent suspension system. The system is based on the one used by the Oshkosh M-ATV. The TAK-4i gives high levels of mobility and maneuverability on and off-road with an enhanced quality of ride. The suspension is coil sprung and offers 20 inches of independent wheel travel, 25 percent more than other U.S. Military vehicles.^[3][4]

The engine is a diesel engine delivering power to a high-output electric generator, giving expanded power capabilities, greater fuel efficiency, and integrated communications for improved diagnostics and maintenance over previous engines. The L-ATV can also be fitted with the Oshkosh ProPulse diesel-electric powertrain to maximize fuel economy and generate 70 kW onboard and export power. The hybrid powertrain is not a requirement of the JLTV program.^[3][4]

The L-ATV offers MRAP-level protection in a smaller and lighter vehicle, able to withstand underbelly blasts. Add-on armor can be accepted if required.^[3]

There is not standard armament configuration for the basic L-ATV vehicle. It can be fitted with various weapons including an M240 machine gun, an M2 .50 caliber machine gun, a Mk 19 grenade launcher, and a BGM-71 TOW missile depending on mission requirements. The weapons can be operated from ring mounts or a remote weapon station.^[3][4]

History

Oshkosh began development of the vehicle in 2006, in response to the JLTV program. The company lost a development contract in 2008, but unveiled their first prototype vehicle, the LCTV, in 2010. The vehicle was re-entered after program requirements were reset. In November 2010, the L-ATV completed the Baja 1000 off-road race.^[3]

On 23 August 2012, the Army and Marine Corps selected the Oshkosh Defense L-ATV, and two other companies as the winners of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the competition. Oshkosh was awarded a contract to build 22 prototype vehicles in 27 months to be judged by the services.^[5]

In June 2013, L-ATV prototypes participated in an event hosted by the U.S. JLTV Joint Program Office in Quantico, VA. The vehicles successfully completed the severe off-road track (SORT) without failure. The SORT demonstrated the L-ATV's ability to maneuver steep inclines, turn sharply, and operate in rugged terrain.^[6]

On 8 August 2013, Oshkosh delivered its first L-ATV JLTV prototype to the Army for government testing following a successful vehicle inspection by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). The four-door multi-purpose variant and two-door utility variant will be provided for evaluations.^[7]

On 27 August 2013, the Army and Marine Corps announced that full-scale testing of JLTV prototypes would begin the following week, with all three vendors having had 66 vehicles delivered. Each company delivered 22 vehicles and six trailers to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. Previous testing had already put the vehicles through more than 400 ballistic and blast tests on armor testing samples; underbody blast testing; and more than 1,000 miles in shakedown testing. Soldiers from the Army Test and Evaluation Command and personnel from the Defense Department's Office of Test and Evaluation will put the vehicles through realistic and rigorous field testing during 14 months of government performance testing. Testing is to be completed by FY 2015, with a production contract to be awarded to a single vendor for nearly 55,000 vehicles, with each vehicle coming off the assembly line not exceeding $250,000. The Army is to begin receiving JLTVs by FY 2018, with all their vehicles planned delivered in the 2030s.^[8] On 3 September 2013, full-pace, full-scope JLTV testing began at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Yuma, and Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The program is on track despite sequestration, but if budget issues are not worked out the schedule could slip. One vendor will be selected by July 2015, and produce 2,000 vehicles for three years of additional testing to fine-tune the assembly line and full-up the system.^[9]

Variants

On 14 February 2013, Oshkosh unveiled the utility variant of the L-ATV for the JLTV program. The utility variant fulfills the JLTV requirement for a two-seat cargo vehicle, while the L-ATV base variant meets the requirement for a 4-seat multipurpose vehicle. In addition to hauling cargo, it can be outfitted as a shelter carrier to carry standard shelters for communications systems, on-board electronics, and other functions. The utility vehicle has two crewmen and has a 5,100 lb payload.^[10]

See also

• Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
• Oshkosh M-ATV

References

External links

• Oshkosh L-ATV website