Oshkosh Truck Debuts New Tactical Vehicle to the U.S. Armed Services

4 October 1999

First Truck Completed On Schedule; Oshkosh Truck Debuts New Medium Tactical Vehicle to the U.S. Armed Services

    OSHKOSH, Wis.--Oct. 1, 1999--Oshkosh Truck Corporation , a leading manufacturer of defense and commercial specialty trucks and truck bodies, completed the first production vehicle under the U.S. Marine Corps Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) program on schedule. The MTVR contract was originally awarded to Oshkosh Truck in December 1998 and has a potential value of $1.2 billion from fiscal year 2000 through fiscal year 2005, assuming the Department of Defense accepts all options under the contract as currently anticipated.
    The MTVR was unveiled at the Modern Day Marine Corps Conference in Quantico, Va., September 21 - 23. Oshkosh's three-axle, all-wheel-drive MTVR touts twenty-first century technology. Rated for payloads of up to seven tons off road and 15 tons on primary roads, the MTVR is designed to traverse terrain that was previously regarded impassible by other trucks.
    The MTVR features Oshkosh patented axles, transfer case and modular independent suspension system so it can haul personnel and material up 60-degree grades (about the same as going up the first drop of a big roller coaster); ford creeks as deep as 60 inches; travel through deep mud, sand and snow; and can reach 65 miles per hour on the highway.
    Following its debut at the Marine Corps Conference, the Oshkosh MTVR went on to demonstrations at Little Creek Naval Base in Virginia. The demonstration, for both the Sea Bees and the U.S. Navy, showcased the ride quality provided by the independent suspension and flat-panel display technology. The demonstration was supported by the Marine Corps program manager for medium trucks.
    "This truck promises a revolution in off-road mobility. Based on the many positive comments I heard from both the Sea Bees and Navy, the ride quality and diagnostic advances proved impressive," said Norb Osburn, director of government marketing for Oshkosh, who accompanied the vehicle on its tour.
    Ten of the first 20 production vehicles will be selected for performance and durability testing by the U.S. Marine Corp in December. All of the MTVRs are manufactured on a flexible production line, side by side with commercial vehicles.
    Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a leading manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the defense, fire and emergency, construction and refuse hauling markets. Products are marketed under the Oshkosh, Pierce and McNeilus brand names.