General Tactical Vehicles Low-Risk JLTV Solution Uses High-Level Systems Maturity

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., April 18 -- Leveraging over 120 years of combined experience in the design, production and support of more than one million combat and tactical vehicles, General Tactical Vehicles has submitted its proposal for the Technology Development phase of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program.

GTV's offer for the JLTV maximizes survivability and optimizes power and payload. The approach focuses on commonality of systems and components along with modular armor, resulting in an innovative and agile vehicle system that will provide enhanced crew protection, increased cargo capacity and transportability.

"Our JLTV provides America's Soldiers and Marines a vehicle with the strong performance, flexibility, protection and sustainability they need across the full range of missions, locations and operational scenarios," said Don Howe, GTV's JLTV program director. "Our JLTV gives the armed forces the rapid deployability, reliability, networking capabilities and survivability they need today and in the decades ahead."

General Tactical Vehicles applies proven technologies along with a modular design that will accommodate continuing advances in armor and vehicle systems. "While it's a significant advancement in design, it's also affordable and practical," said Howe. "Combined with manufacturing readiness that allows an accelerated path to production, our design will make the JLTV program a smart, low-risk investment for America's armed forces and taxpayers."

Innovative features of the GTV design include:

-- Lightweight hybrid hull structure which provides a low-profile and blast-resistant vehicle designed to survive current and future threats;

-- Parallel arm adjustable height suspension to give the vehicle increased mine blast protection without jeopardizing air and sea transportability;

-- Semi-active suspension ensuring safety, enhanced mobility and crew comfort;

-- Proven propulsion systems with a high horsepower-to-weight ratio to maximize payload, plus a driveline that gives the vehicle tough off-road capabilities;

-- Digital cockpit with C4I technologies connecting the crew to other units and systems; and a

-- Unique modular and scalable trailer that has mobility equal to the JLTV vehicle itself.

General Tactical Vehicles is a joint venture between AM General and General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics , formed to provide the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps a low-risk, affordable, technically advanced and economically sustainable solution to their Joint Light Tactical Vehicle requirements. In 2006, both AM General and General Dynamics were awarded JLTV "Best Technical Approach" trade studies by the Office of Naval Research. More information about General Tactical Vehicles is available online at GTV.