Oshkosh [OSK] today unveiled a 6-wheeled version of its mine-resistant, ambush protected all-terrain vehicle (M-ATV), increasing the truck’s payload capacity and improving the vehicle’s off-road steering capability.
The M-ATV 6×6 Technology Demonstrator, on display at the Association of the United States Army’s annual exposition in Washington D.C., has an interior that can accommodate up to 15 soldiers, as well as greater payload capacity and all-wheel steering for improved maneuverability over the M-ATV that troops are familiar with from use in Afghanistan.
Oshkosh recently won a $6 billion contract for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program to replace most of the Army and Marine Corps Humvee fleets. The winning vehicle is a four-wheeled, scaled-down version of the M-ATV.
“It’s never been more important for troops to have vehicles that effectively balance protection, payload, modularity and mobility to carry out missions in any environment or threat level,” said John Urias, executive vice president of Oshkosh Corp. and president of Oshkosh Defense, said in a statement. “The M-ATV 6×6 Technology Demonstrator was developed to transport a full squad with their required mission equipment and provide more power on the battlefield–all while maintaining MRAP level protection and off-road mobility.”
The vehicle’s independent suspension and all-wheel steer allow it to traverse difficult terrain much like a tracked vehicle.
Another, 4-wheeled M-ATV on display at AUSA is outfitted with a light-vehicle specific version of the Rafael Trophy active protection system (APS) called the Trophy LV. Trophy incorporates situational awareness and active protection “hard kill’ systems that detect incoming threats to the vehicle and automatically deploy countermeasures to destroy projectiles like rocket propelled grenades.
“The operational requirement to equip armored vehicles with an APS is dictated by the growing proliferation of advanced anti-armor weapons,” Rafael said in a statement. “Trophy-LV has the proven capability to defeat advanced threats coupled with handling all safety considerations of an autonomous shooting system, an issue that has raised concerns among potential customers for many years.”
The basic Trophy model is in current use by Israeli combat brigades on Merkava IV tanks and has effectively performed in combat since its introduction in 2009. The system provides 360-degree protection from all incoming anti-armor threats and the LV version is light enough to integrate easily onto wheeled combat vehicles.
The 4X4 M-ATV also is equipped with Rafael’s Samson remote controlled weapon station, which interfaces with the Trophy’s hostile fire detection system and allows the crew to aim and fire a top-mounted machine gun without exposing themselves to enemy fire.
Oshkosh also has developed what it calls advanced driver assist system (ADAS) kits that can be retrofitted onto existing vehicles. The kits come in three tiers and each increases driver control and response, the company said.
ADAS Tier 1 includes a camera “that allows the vehicle to see where drivers cannot.” The system is able to detect obstacles and alert the driver to avoid collisions.
The second tier introduces an electronic stability control and anti-collision radar. It also includes adaptive cruise control that can not only maintain a desired speed, but can match speed and maintain a specific distance from a leading vehicle in convoy. Collision mitigation braking (CMB) automatically applies the brakes if a collision is imminent.
The third tier includes technologies from both tier 1 and 2 and has the most “comprehensive” suite of accident-avoidance capabilities, the company said.