News Review: First right-hand drive JLTVs delivered for testing | ADM Aug 2010

BAE Systems, along with partners Navistar Defense and ArvinMeritor, has delivered three right-hand drive JLTV prototypes to Australia for durability testing that mutually supports both US and Australian interests.

The team handed over a Category A General Purpose vehicle, a Category B Command and Control on the Move vehicle and a Category C Utility vehicle.

The vehicles are designed to be highly compatible with the US variants, ensuring interoperability between forces, yet tailored specifically to meet the needs of the Australian military.

“Our team has taken a user-centric design approach that provides the foundation for a future family of vehicles that can be modified to meet the needs of our military as well as those of our global allies,” Ann Hoholick, vice president and general manager of New Vehicles and Amphibious Systems for BAE Systems, said.

“We look forward to continuing to improve and enhance our offerings as we receive feedback from our military customers.”

Lockheed Martin has also delivered two right-hand operation JLTVs and a companion trailer to the US Army and US Marine Corps and representatives of the Australian Army for Technology Development (TD) phase assessment and testing.

“Australia’s participation in the JLTV program will help reduce overall program risk through the testing and evaluation of additional prototype vehicles,” Mark McCoy, the US Army’s product manager for JLTV, said.

The JLTV prototype vehicles will undergo reliability and blast testing in Australia, as well as tropical environment testing.

“Lessons from recent conflicts highlight the importance of protected mobility in the modern battlefield,” Australian Army Lt. Col. Robin Petersen, JLTV Cooperative Program Personnel and Australian JLTV Program Manager, said.

“The requirements of the JLTV program closely align with our requirements; we face similar capability gaps and threats.”