Lockheed Martin to continue development of joint light tactical vehicle

DALLAS, Texas, 25 Aug. 2012. The U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps have awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] a $65 million contract to continue developing the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) through the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase. Work for this phase is expected to be completed on November 2014. The Lockheed Martin team has optimized a JLTV model already proven in government testing to create its EMD design. The production-enhanced JLTV maintains the force protection, mobility, transportability and reliability of the earlier Technology Demonstration (TD) model, while reducing weight and cost. The team’s JLTV design reflects the discoveries made from more than 160,000 testing miles. Formed in 2005, the Lockheed Martin-led JLTV team includes BAE Systems in Sealy, Texas, a provider of advanced armor solutions and high volume assembly. The team also includes numerous Tier 1 suppliers, including Allison Transmission, Cummins Engine, L3 Combat Propulsion Systems, Meritor Defense, Robert Bosch LLC and Vehma International of America.

Two of these JLTVs have already been produced on an active manufacturing line.

The firm fixed-price contract has a 27-month performance period with deliveries of 22 vehicles taking place within 12 to 14 months. Primary variants with companion trailers include the utility carrier and shelter (JLTV-UTL), a two-seat prime mover with an open bed; and the general-purpose vehicle (JLTV-GP), which is a four-seater that will carry troops, ammunition and small supplies.

Lockheed Martin’s JLTV EMD vehicles offer meets the high blast-protection standards, with margin, of many existing mine-resistant vehicles serving in combat today. Additionally, the Lockheed Martin team has shaved hundreds of pounds off the TD design, which has already been airlifted in helicopter lift tests.