Oshkosh Defense wins major Pentagon contract to build Humvee replacement

[tammywammy]

Source: Washington Post

Oshkosh Defense won a major contract to build the ground vehicle that could become a symbol of the U.S. Army for a generation and will eventually replace the Pentagon’s storied but aging fleet of Humvees, the Army announced Tuesday.

Under the contract, which could eventually be worth $30 billion or more, Oshkosh will build nearly 50,000 of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle for the Army, and about 5,500 for the Marine Corps.

The contract, one of the largest awarded by the Army in years, is a huge victory for Wisconsin-based Oshkosh, which may have the promise of work lasting through 2040. And it gives the company an opportunity to build what the Army views as a significant advancement over the Humvee.

Unlike the thin-skinned Humvees, the JLTV would have the protective armor of a tank but the fleet-footed mobility of a Jeep, able to ford rivers and cross rugged terrain, while also being able to carry significant amounts of cargo.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/oshkosh-defense-wins-major-contract-to-build-the-jltv/2015/08/25/ccc42668-4b67-11e5-84df-923b3ef1a64b_story.html

[seabeckind]

1. Always fighting the last war.

That and the idea that an insurgent conflict involves control of territory just like a conventional war.

Only thing missing in this list of requirements is that it be able to fly.

[turbinetree]

2. Great-----------------------

now Walker the right wing hypocrite Nixonite, can go around and say he has created jobs until 2040 while bankrupting the state



Honk--------------for a political revolution Bernie 2016

[jwirr]

5. That is what I was thinking. Reward the Rs.

[The Polack MSgt]

3. Is my calculator broken?

reading the article, the numbers look wrong. Not that I expect the WashPo editors to do a 30 second 5th grade level math problem or anything.
The 1st buy is $6.7B for 17,000 vehicles - That breaks down to $394K each.
A lot of money to be sure, but initial contracts include tooling and setup costs. The follow on contracts are supposed to reflect a lower and lower per unit prices as the production lines are mature, and the vehicle is standardized.
That is acquisition 101. It's the reason that Rifles that sell for $900 (in semi auto only, not select fire) on the civilian market cost less than $300 in full military trim.
However, the article gives a total estimated cost of $30B, for 55,500 vehicles - This is a per unit price of just over $540K. And that average cost includes the first 17,000 purchased at $394K
Journalism - It's an actual thing.
Did no one think to ask why these numbers are glaringly wrong?

[Archae]

4. Before the anti-military people jump in...

I have two cousins who work there.

And they do build quality vehicles for the military, the MRAP truck is built there.

The HummVee was never a good replacement for the venerable Jeep.
It was too maintenanceintensive, one of the faults of the F-35.

With our soldiers increasingly going after terrorists, they need a vehicle like this new one.

[Adrahil]

6. The HummVee had lots of advantage over the Jeep....

Better ground clearance, harder, had more room. The increased size was a negative in the woods, but as there was more requirements for mobile computer, comms and power, that room was needed. It also meant it was useful for variants, like ambulances, comms vehicles, even mobile ammo magazines.