OSHKOSH, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 2009--Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), announced today that its Defense
division submitted its proposal for the U.S. Army's MRAP All Terrain
Vehicle (M-ATV) program on January 9, 2009. The company's submittal is
based on the combat-proven Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR)
chassis, which has been successfully operating off road in Afghanistan
as well as around the world for several years.
The U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) is accepting
proposals for the M-ATV program, which seeks a highly mobile, more
maneuverable and durable alternative to the current Mine-Resistant
Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles for off-road operation in the rough
terrain of Afghanistan. Oshkosh's nondevelopmental M-ATV vehicle
features an existing hull, which was developed and successfully tested
for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. The hull, with its
superior MANPRINT, and MTVR chassis combine to create a highly
survivable, highly mobile combat vehicle to meet the urgent need for the
Warfighter in Afghanistan.
"The Oshkosh Defense M-ATV is a variant of our armored MTVR, a proven
vehicle that has protected and served our military men and women in
off-road operations for years," said John Stoddart, Oshkosh Corporation
executive vice president and president, Defense.
There are six distinct benefits that Oshkosh believes sets its vehicle
ahead of any other offering. The vehicle is: Survivable, Mobile,
Mission-Proven, Production-Ready, Best Value and Low Price. "This is a
mature, highly mobile vehicle that has operated successfully in the
off-road mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, and we have several
manufacturing facilities within our corporation that have excess
capacity to exceed the Services' delivery requirements," added Stoddart.
"We stand ready to provide the Services with the vehicle they want."
To ensure superior protection and survivability, Oshkosh is partnered
with Plasan North America to provide the Oshkosh M-ATV's armor system.
Plasan has produced armor systems for more than 5,000 current MRAP
vehicles and for the Armored Cab MTVR. These armor systems have saved
lives in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The vehicle also will feature
Oshkosh's signature TAK-4(R) independent suspension system for
exceptional off-road ride quality and durability to meet the essential
capability not available in the current MRAP fleet - exceptional
off-road mobility and durability.
The Oshkosh M-ATV provides superior weight-carrying capability to avoid
axles breaking in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan. The Oshkosh M-ATV
further provides parts and maintenance commonality with the MTVR and
other tactical vehicles, which will minimize production costs and
increase mission readiness.
The Oshkosh MTVR was developed and fielded nearly 10 years ago as a
next-generation replacement for the medium tactical fleet for the Marine
Corps, particularly for all-terrain missions. The vehicle has more than
400,000 government-tested miles at a 70 percent off-road mission
profile, making it ideal for Afghanistan. Many of the MTVRs have more
than 70,000 operational miles in Afghanistan and are proving their
durability with a 92 percent or better operational readiness rate in
theater. The vehicle's success was recently marked following Oshkosh's
production of the 10,000th MTVR in 2008. The vehicle features an
off-road 7.1-ton payload capacity and an on-road 15-ton payload capacity.
The Oshkosh M-ATV is the survivability, mobility, mission-proven,
production-ready and best value/low price solution for the Warfighter.
The company's main focus is to provide the best survivability solution
coupled with the best mobility system to get American men and women into
and out of the fight in areas where other vehicles fear to tread.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an
industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military
trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of
conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary
suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh
Defense provides a global service and supply network including full
life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized
the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For
more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of
a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire &
emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corp.
manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of
Oshkosh(R), JLG(R), Pierce(R), McNeilus(R),
Medtec(R), Jerr-Dan(R), BAI(R), Oshkosh
Specialty Vehicles, Frontline(TM), SMIT(TM), Geesink(TM),
Norba(TM), Kiggen(TM), CON-E-CO(R), London(R)
and IMT(R). Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses
where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and
long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
-- TAK-4 is a registered trademark of Oshkosh Corporation
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that the Company believes are
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than
statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the
Company's future financial position, business strategy, targets,
projected sales, costs, earnings, capital spending and debt levels, and
plans and objectives of management for future operations, are
forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such
as "may," "should," "expects," "intends," "estimates," "anticipates," or
"believes" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks,
uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond
the Company's control which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. These factors include the consequences of the Company's
financial leverage position, especially given turmoil in the credit
markets, and the level of associated borrowing costs; the Company's
ability to maintain compliance with financial covenants in its credit
agreement; the cyclical nature of the Company's access equipment,
commercial and fire & emergency markets, especially during a global
economic downturn and credit crisis; the Company's ability to offset
higher steel and raw material costs through other cost decreases or
product selling price increases; risks related to reductions in
government expenditures and the uncertainty of government contracts;
risks associated with international operations and sales, including
foreign currency fluctuations; and the Company's ability to turn around
its Geesink Norba Group business. Additional information concerning
these and other factors is contained in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Oshkosh Corporation
Financial:
Patrick Davidson
Vice President, Investor Relations
920.966.5939
or
Media:
Ann Stawski
Vice President, Marketing Communications
920.966.5959
Source: Oshkosh Corporation
