Oshkosh Defense Decline Reverses with JLTV Win

by Dean Lockwood, Senior Weapons Systems Analyst, Forecast International.

On August 25, 2015, the U.S. Army awarded Oshkosh Defense a $114.7 million contract for low-rate initial production and full-rate production of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. The U.S. Department of Defense currently maintains a revised procurement objective of 54,599 JLTVs – 49,099 for the Army and 5,500 for the Marine Corps. The Government Accountability Office estimates that the DoD will spend more than $53.3 billion on the JLTV program – $1.082 billion for RDT&E and at least $52.3 billion for procurement. The Army expects the JLTV to achieve Initial Operational Capability in 2019.

The three contending designs for the JLTV were the Oshkosh Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (L-ATV), AM General’s Blast Resistant Vehicle-Offroad (BRV-O), and a joint development vehicle put forward by BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin. The basic objective of the JLTV program is to develop a family of vehicles generally similar to the HMMWV that exhibit an 80 percent parts commonality among variants. Unlike the HMMWV, however, the JLTV will feature scalable armor and a mine-resistant hull design.

The U.S. Army and Marine Corps have established requirements for 11 distinct JLTV variants, which fall under three general categories: JLTV-A (Battlespace Awareness), JLTV-B (Force Application), and JLTV-C (Focused Logistics). The Army no longer envisions the JLTV as a blanket replacement for the HMMWV; rather, the JLTV will fill a capability gap between the HMMWV and the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle. Indeed, the Army now expects to replace only about one-third of the HMMWV fleet with the JLTV.

The JLTV contract represents potential salvation for Oshkosh Defense, which has been enduring a significant decline in defense-related revenues. Net sales for the company’s defense segment decreased $1.33 billion, or 43.5 percent, to $1.72 billion in FY14 compared to FY13. Over the past four years, defense sales at Oshkosh have plunged more $2.5 billion. The slide mirrors the reductions in defense spending brought on by the end of two wars in the Middle East and a desire to broadly cut government expenditures. Without the JLTV contract, Oshkosh’s defense unit might well have found itself on the auction block following Oshkosh’s reorganization into a holding company.


Forecast FI Logo

+ posts

For 50 years, Forecast International intelligence reports have been the aerospace and defense industry standard for accurate research, analysis, and projections. Our experienced analysts compile, evaluate, and present accurate data for decision makers. FI's market research reports offer concise analysis of individual programs and identify market opportunities. Each report includes a program overview, detailed statistics, recent developments and a competitive analysis, culminating in production forecasts spanning 10 or 15 years. Let our market intelligence reports be a key part of reducing uncertainties and mastering your specific market and its growth potential. Find out more at www.forecastinternational.com

About Forecast International

For 50 years, Forecast International intelligence reports have been the aerospace and defense industry standard for accurate research, analysis, and projections. Our experienced analysts compile, evaluate, and present accurate data for decision makers. FI's market research reports offer concise analysis of individual programs and identify market opportunities. Each report includes a program overview, detailed statistics, recent developments and a competitive analysis, culminating in production forecasts spanning 10 or 15 years. Let our market intelligence reports be a key part of reducing uncertainties and mastering your specific market and its growth potential. Find out more at www.forecastinternational.com

View all posts by Forecast International →