Oshkosh Defense showcases L-ATV & M-ATV MRAP vehicles at SOFEX 2014

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SOFEX 2014 news Show daily report coverage Special Operations Forces Exhibition Conference exhibitors visitors information description Amman Jordan Jordanian army military defense industry technology
 
SOFEX 2014
The Special Operations Forces Exhibition & Conference
Amman, Jordan
6 - 8 May 2014
 
Oshkosh at SOFEX 2014
 
 
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 09:57 PM
 
Oshkosh Defense showcases L-ATV & M-ATV MRAP vehicles at SOFEX 2014
By Stylianos Kanavakis
As the US Armed Forces are leaving from Afghanistan, the DoD has made clear that the fleet of these vehicles will be decreased to a much smaller level. The change of US strategy dictates the procurement of different kinds of systems that will reassure that certain much needed capabilities will be retained or developed.

Oshkosh showcases at SOFEX 2014 its two new products for the first time. The M-ATV and L-ATV MRAPs. Army Recognition had a fruitful discussion with Mrs Jennifer Christianse – VP for Business Development Operations, who provided us with a better image of the company’s products.
     
As the US Armed Forces are leaving from Afghanistan, the DoD has made clear that the fleet of these vehicles will be decreased to a much smaller level. The change of US strategy dictates the procurement of different kinds of systems that will reassure that certain much needed capabilities will be retained or developed.
Oshkosh Defense L-ATV at SOFEX 2014 Special Operations Forces Exhibition & Conference in Amman, Jordan.
     
Although the DoD budget for vehicles has decreased immensely, Oshkosh has managed to secure its relatively strong market position, given that the M-ATV will be retained as the vehicle of choice of the US Forces.

However, Oshkosh is also be able to retain this position through the diversification of its production. Apart from the Defence segment, the company is able to provide solutions in the Fire EMS (fire fighting vehicles, snowblowers, rescue etc) Commercial and Access (e.g. lifting, towing, recover equipment) sectors.
     
As the US Armed Forces are leaving from Afghanistan, the DoD has made clear that the fleet of these vehicles will be decreased to a much smaller level. The change of US strategy dictates the procurement of different kinds of systems that will reassure that certain much needed capabilities will be retained or developed.
Oshkosh Defense M-ATV at SOFEX 2014 Special Operations Forces Exhibition & Conference in Amman, Jordan.
     
Regarding the Defence segment of the company, its future progress is not only based on the current series of products but on its capacity to develop new technologies. Among them are the TAK-4 suspension system and the TerraMax Unmanned Ground Vehicle Technology.

The latter has been in development since 2004 and follows the trend of using more unmanned platforms for high-risk missions or “when you’d rather not send anyone” as Oshkosh points out. The TerraMax kit can be fitted on any vehicle turning it into an “intelligent” platform. Special sensors provide a 3D mapping of the terrain, allowing the computer software to assess the nature of the obstacle and overcome it, even in low visibility conditions, while the driving-movement pattern remains natural. That is, without moving like a robot, therefore without attracting more attention or without the enemy forces putting more assets on its neutralization.

The development is carried out in cooperation with the United States Marine Corps Warfighter Lab, so as to better understand the doctrine of use of such vehicles, therefore integrating all the necessary technologies that would make their use more combat efficient and effective.