MEDIA RELEASE PR40523
GTV Delivers Right-Hand Operation JLTV Technology Development Vehicles on Schedule
LIVONIA, Mich., July 21 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
U.S. government receives two Right-Hand Operation (RHO) JLTVs - payload
category B and C vehicles - and a companion trailer
The General Tactical Vehicles (GTV) team of General Dynamics Land Systems and AM
General today delivered two Right-Hand Operation (RHO) Joint Light Tactical Vehicles
(JLTVs), one companion trailer and supporting equipment on schedule to the U.S.
government for Technology Development (TD) phase testing in support of the U.S. and
Australia's Land Force Capability Modernization Project Arrangement (PA). The PA
enables tactical vehicle interoperability and integration between the two countries.
Delivery of the RHO JLTVs follows GTV's previous ahead-of-schedule deliveries of
armor samples, ballistic hulls, seven vehicles and four trailers and spare parts for
the TD phase.
Test and evaluation of the RHO JLTVs includes a five-month reliability and
durability test and evaluation process at the Monegeetta Proving Ground in
Monegeetta, Victoria, Australia. Test site management for GTV will be performed by
General Dynamics Land Systems-Australia and supported by Australian in-country
suppliers.
"Our RHO JLTVs provide increased protection, payload and performance for the
Australian Defence Force, as well as over 90 percent commonality with the GTV JLTV
vehicles delivered to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps in April," said Don Howe, GTV
senior program director. "I am very proud of the effort demonstrated by our GTV team,
including our supplier network, to deliver a balanced solution to meet the technical
and programmatic challenges of the very demanding JLTV program, the U.S. government
and the Australian Defence Force."
"The GTV team's significant experience with deployed global forces gives us
unique and valuable insight into the needs of the Australian Defence Force," added
Howe. "Delivering on schedule and within budget underlines our proven track record of
dependability and performance."
Drawing from the experiences of General Dynamics and AM General to build and
support tactical and combat vehicles, GTV's vehicle design provides an armored crew
capsule with an optimized V-shaped hull for protection against mines and IEDs, a
state-of-the-art C4 architecture that accommodates future force technology
capabilities, high-performance and off-road mobility and deployability by land, sea
and air.
"Our robust, disciplined and focused system-engineering approach placed the
American Warfighter at the center of product design. GTV has developed an innovative
family of vehicles and trailers for the United States that meets transportability,
survivability and mobility requirements while achieving maximum commonality of
components to reduce parts, maintenance and training needs," said David Caldwell, GTV
deputy program director.
"As our military prepares for future coalition operations, similarity of tactical
vehicle solutions across allies will enhance global interoperability and reduce the
maintenance and logistical burden," said Mark McCoy, U.S. Army JLTV product manager.
"Australia's participation in the JLTV program will help reduce overall program risk
through the testing and evaluation of additional prototype vehicles."
The JLTV TD phase is intended to validate the integration of mature technologies
as a complete vehicle system, rebalancing payload, protection and performance while
maintaining transportability and expeditionary capabilities; give the Army, Marine
Corps and the Australian Defence Force an accurate assessment of the technical and
performance capabilities and risks associated with entering the Engineering and
Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase; and establish a realistic set of requirements
for the JLTV program.
GTV has invested in additional JLTV vehicles and trailers as part of its
independent R&D program. "We are continuing our own extensive testing for reliability
and durability to complement the government effort and prepare for the next, full-
and-open competition phase of the JLTV development program," said Howe. "We're
continuing to evaluate suppliers in Australia for emerging technologies, should the
U.S. and Australia continue their JLTV partnership into the EMD phase - taking
advantage of our JLTV's built-in capacity for technology insertion, growth
opportunities and product improvements."
ABOUT GTV
General Tactical Vehicles is a joint venture between AM General and General
Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), formed to
provide the U.S. Army and Marine Corps a low-risk, affordable, technically advanced
and economically sustainable solution to their Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
requirements. GTV offers a full-spectrum combat and tactical platform capable team,
with the strength of more than 120 years of combined experience in the design,
production and global support of over one million combat and tactical vehicles. More
information about General Tactical Vehicles is available online at
ABOUT GENERAL DYNAMICS
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately
91,200 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land
and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine
systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company
ABOUT AM GENERAL
AM General designs, manufactures and supports the world's leading all-purpose
vehicles for military, commercial and consumer customers. As creator and builder of
the famous HMMWV (HUMVEE(R)), AM General has transformed the vehicle from a basic
utility truck to a fully-armored, combat support vehicle to meet the changing needs
of the military and to support more than 70 mission areas. AM General has more than
3,000 employees at major facilities in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, plus a strong
supplier base that stretches across 43 states. More information can be found at
SOURCE: General Tactical Vehicles
CONTACT: Karl G. Oskoian,
+1-586 825 7980,
oskoiank@gdls.com
NEWS 
