Oshkosh wins $1.06 billion Army vehicle contract

Wisconsin-based vehicle manufacturer Oshkosh Corporation has fought off stiff competition to win a contract to build new all-terrain vehicles for ground forces in Afghanistan, it has been announced.  Three other firms, including BAE Systems, were in the running for the order to build 2,244 wheeled armored vehicles and their related parts and services. But Oshkosh won the contract with its MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATVs), which comprise a special integrated suspension system and other safety features.The US military said the new vehicles needed to be mine-resistant, as well as lighter and more agile than those currently being used in Afghanistan. The contract has been fast-tracked by the Pentagon due to the immediate need for vehicles in Afghanistan.  ÔÇ£Due to the urgent need of our Armed Forces for a survivable and highly mobile vehicle, our CorporationÔÇÖs number one priority is meeting the DepartmentÔÇÖs accelerated delivery schedule of the Oshkosh M-ATV,ÔÇØ said chairman and chief executive officer of Oshkosh Robert G. Bohn in a statement.  ÔÇ£Oshkosh Corporation will put whatever resources are necessary to meet or exceed the governmentÔÇÖs delivery schedule.ÔÇØ  To ensure it can meet the schedule, Oshkosh said daily production on the new vehicles had already begun: ÔÇ£In recognition of the urgent need, we began daily production of Oshkosh M-ATVs on our flexible manufacturing line a few weeks ago,ÔÇØ said Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Andy Hove.  ÔÇ£We and our suppliers have already made significant investments in materials and are well positioned to accelerate our manufacturing capabilities.ÔÇØ With the contract now won for the initial 2,244 M-ATVs, there is the possibility that the Defense Department could go on to buy up to 10,000 of the vehicles in total. *┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á *┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á┬á *