DRS Technologies‘ [DRS] Sustainment Systems Inc., and Force Protection Inc. [FRPT] yesterday announced they will team to compete for the Defense Department’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Program.
The JLTV is the next generation family of military tactical wheeled vehicles and trailers designed to be lightweight and highly survivable with increased mobility and payload, using innovative and practical technology.
The Army Feb. 5 released the Request for Proposals for the JLTV, which is a joint Army /Marine Corps program with the Army as the lead service (Defense Daily, Feb. 6). Three contract awards are expected in July for the planned 27-month Technology Development Phase during which the JLTV prototypes will be developed and tested. A System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase beginning in 2011 is currently planned for the JLTV.
Several contracting teams have already announced their interest in competing for the new vehicle. Lockheed Martin [LMT] and BAE Systems have joined forces. AM General and General Dynamics [GD] have formed a team. Boeing [BA] and Textron Marine & Land Systems [TXT] also joined to compete. Navistar International Corp. [NAVZ] and BAE also intend to compete for the program.
Northrop Grumman [NOC] and Oshkosh Truck Corp. [OSK] teamed to go after the contract, and recently added Plasan to assist in the armor effort (Defense Daily, Feb. 21, Jan. 9).
Under the teaming arrangement, DRS Sustainment Systems will serve as the team’s prime contractor. It will provide overall program management and system integration.
Force Protection will design and produce the JLTV base vehicle, including the supplemental armor package. The company will leverage the proven designs of its Cougar, Buffalo and Cheetah vehicles.