Armored Security Vehicles Get AxleTech Suspension Axle Systems

TROY, MI--June 21, 2011: AxleTech International, a General Dynamics company, was recently awarded a contract from Textron Marine & Land Systems to produce independent suspension axle systems for the Medium Armored Security Vehicle (MASV) program.  The award is for 240 vehicle sets of axles.  The system is a customized variant of AxleTech's 4000 and 5000 Series planetary independent suspension axle systems.  

The U.S. Army awarded the contract to Textron Marine & Land Systems in June, which includes options to produce up to 440 vehicles for the Afghanistan National Army.  Nine distinct vehicle configurations were derived from the combat-proven M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) family of vehicles through the U.S. Army Foreign Military Sales process.  

"Our upgraded independent suspension system will provide best-in-class mobility for the MASV program, especially in the rugged Afghanistan terrain," said Gerry Giudici, vice president and general manager of AxleTech International.  "We are pleased to work with Textron Marine & Land Systems to provide field-proven axles, spares and other support for this important program."

"These vehicles clearly leverage the ASV's proven capability, along with AxleTech's expertise in drivetrain and mobility solutions, to provide an enhanced survivability capability.  The superior protection and mobility will serve our Afghan allies well and will deliver a high degree of safety and security in its various roles and missions," said Textron Marine & Land Systems Senior Vice President and General Manager Tom Walmsley.

Deliveries began in June and will be completed in April 2012.  Production work will be completed at AxleTech's Oshkosh, Wis., facility, which has a workforce of approximately 200 employees.

AxleTech supplies axle systems for Textron Marine & Land System's combat-proven M1117 ASV and M1200 Armored Knight.  The U.S. Army has more than 3,100 ASVs in its fleet.