Northrop Grumman [NOC] and Oshkosh Corp.’s [OSK] Defense division announced the completion of testing of a next-generation suspension for their Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) family of vehicles.
Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh engineers have subjected their JLTV’s independent suspension to performance testing at Oshkosh’s test facilities in Wisconsin, proving the enhanced, lighter-weight JLTV suspension to be higher performing than what is available to the industry today.
The design is an enhancement of Oshkosh’s battle-tested and fully-fielded TAK-4(tm) independent suspension currently fielded on every Marine Corps Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) truck. The MTVR truck is regarded as the most capable U.S. tactical vehicle in service today for severe duty and off-road operations.
“The team’s engineers aggressively examined the performance on our proven TAK-4 independent suspension and developed design strategies and optimized approaches that will take suspension technologies to new levels,” Steve Zink, Oshkosh Corp., vice president, Defense, said in an Aug. 11 statement. “Following rigorous testing of components and the vehicle, we are happy to report this next-generation of independent suspension will meet and exceed the extreme requirements needed by the JLTV family of vehicles.”
The TAK-4 independent suspension has delivered payload and mobility advantages on- and off-road to soldiers and marines and has been proven in the field and in combat for more than 10 years. The technology also reduces wear and tear on vehicle components and improves vehicle handling and braking.
The Northrop Grumman-Oshkosh JLTV uses a high-performance diesel-electric drive system, which eliminates the need for a transmission and conventional drive train. This approach enables more design options for improved survivability and overall vehicle optimization against the very tough JLTV requirements.
“Our team’s paramount goal has been designing and building a JLTV that provides ultimate protection, payload and mobility for soldiers and marines,” Joe Gray Taylor, vice president of Ground Combat Systems for Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems sector, said. “A lighter-weight vehicle body, coupled with next-generation independent suspension and an advanced armor system, allows Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh to offer the best solution for our nation’s warfighters.”
This fall, the Defense Department is expected to decide which of seven competing industry teams will continue into the 27-month Technology Development phase for the potential $40 billion program.
Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh Corporation joined forces to compete for the JLTV program on Jan. 8 (Defense Daily, Jan. 9). If selected, Northrop Grumman will be the prime contractor and systems integrator. Oshkosh Corp.’s Defense Group will be responsible for designing, engineering and manufacturing the vehicle.