Oshkosh Truck Delivers HEMTT Defense Trucks for Missile Defense System

OSHKOSH, Wis.--Oct. 2, 2002--Oshkosh Truck Corporation , a leading manufacturer of trucks and truck bodies, has delivered two Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks with Load Handling Systems (HEMTT-LHS) modified for use as launch platforms for the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system.

These specially engineered HEMTTs are fully C-130 air transportable to support the U.S. Army's Interim Brigade Combat Teams. This contributes to the U.S. Army's ability to place a full combat brigade anywhere in the world within 96 hours and is integral to the current transformation initiative. In addition, the launcher platforms feature Oshkosh's patented Command Zone(TM) electronic control system. The Command Zone system ensures that the load handling system and Missile Round Pallet (MRP) are operated within established parameters, enhancing safety for soldiers in the field.

"Oshkosh Truck Corporation is very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Lockheed Martin to help engineer and build this type of truck-based missile launcher platform," said Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We're proud that the troops we depend on, will, in turn, depend on Oshkosh Truck to get the job done."

Built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, THAAD is a mobile ground-based theater ballistic missile defense system designed to protect forward-deployed military forces, population centers and civilian assets. THAAD provides upper-tier missile defense and is used in conjunction with the PATRIOT missile defense system, which provides lower-tier protection. These specially engineered Oshkosh defense trucks have the ability to serve as the launch platform for the PATRIOT missile defense system as well.

Oshkosh received the contract for the THAAD carrier chassis on November 15, 2001. One of the first two vehicles was delivered for testing at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. This testing is scheduled to be complete in May 2003, at which time Oshkosh plans to begin delivery of the next nine carriers. Lockheed Martin will perform systems integration work on the second unit.

The HEMTT-LHS THAAD variant features a load handling system similar to that used on the Palletized Load System (PLS) vehicles with a customized digital control system to meet the requirements of the missile launcher platform.

Oshkosh has delivered more than 15,000 HEMTTs to the U.S. Army and foreign militaries since 1981.

Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a leading manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the defense, fire and emergency, concrete placement and refuse hauling markets. Oshkosh Truck is a Fortune 1000 company with products marketed under the Oshkosh, Pierce, McNeilus, Medtec, Geesink and Norba brand names. The company is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wis., and had annual sales of $1.45 billion in fiscal 2001.