Oshkosh and Plasan USA, which was selected to design and engineer the vehicle's armor, conducted ballistic and mine-blast testing on the team's JLTV prototype. After the first round of testing, they found the armor passed all threshold capability and achieved several objective-level force-protection requirements. Plasan is using an advanced composite-technology armor system that maximizes crew protection while keeping weight impact minimal.

"Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh have designed a vehicle of unique performance and protection that can provide value to the warfighter today yet is flexible enough to meet the combat requirements of tomorrow," said Joe Gray Taylor, vice president of Ground Combat Systems at Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector.

"We particularly took on the challenge of armor volume, applying some of our most innovative thinking to the balance of performance, protection and payload. The results of the armor testing validate our design and prove we are ready to move smartly to the next stage of the development process."

One advantage the team has in developing its JLTV armor is the incorporation of a diesel-electric drive system, which eliminates the need for a transmission and conventional drivetrain. This allows for the creation of improved blast protection for the crew.

"The innovative use of a diesel-electric system reduces the number of vehicle components and frees up space to allow for increased survivability for the soldiers in these vehicles," said John Stoddart, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president of defense. "Our work with Plasan will provide, as it has in the past, the best crew protection possible."

The armor testing was conducted at a world-class testing facility in the United States, used U.S. Army research-laboratory standards and was based on government specifications for the JLTV.

The Defense Department is expected to decide soon which industry competitors will continue into the 27-month Technology Development phase for this $40 billion program.

Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh Corporation joined forces to compete for the JLTV program on Jan. 8. If selected, Northrop Grumman will be the prime contractor and systems integrator. Oshkosh Corporation's Defense Group will be responsible for designing, engineering and manufacturing the vehicle.

Northrop Grumman integrates a broad spectrum of critical joint combat and C4ISR platforms, including serving as the prime contractor for the Army's Command Post Platform, Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2)/Blue Force Tracking (BFT), and Command and Control Personal Computer (C2PC) programs.

Oshkosh has nine decades of proven experience developing advanced automotive systems, on/off-road capabilities, extreme-duty vehicle platforms, military vehicles and integrated armor solutions. Oshkosh has advanced on-board vehicle power capabilities on two prototype vehicles: the Marine Corps' Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) and the U.S. Army's Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT).

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