The US Department of Defense (DoD) is acquiring two new tactical wheeled vehicles (TWV): the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).
The US$12.5 billion M-ATV is for use in Afghanistan; JLTV is the future replacement for vehicles like the High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV).
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to assess, firstly, the DoD’s progress in rapidly acquiring and fielding M-ATVs, secondly JLTV’s expected features and cost compared to other TWV, and thirdly the extent to which the current plans for M-ATV and JLTV were consistent with the services’ TWV investment strategies.
The GAO reviewed documents and held discussions with key officials to determine program strategies, costs, performance, and anticipated features; and compared M-ATV and JLTV plans with service strategies.
GAO says that while JLTV acquisition costs are yet to be determined, the total bill could be as much as US$18.5 billion.
“Unit costs could be over US$800,000 - somewhat less than M-ATV, with mission equipment making up more than half the costs,” the GAO states.
“JLTV’s total acquisition costs could ultimately be substantial,” adds the report, which notes the target unit production cost for JLTV vehicles - without equipment like radios and weapons - runs between US$306,000 and US$332,000, depending on vehicle category.
The GAO recommends that DoD ensure that the JLTV program clearly demonstrates a match between requirements and resources.
In the wake of the GAO report, the US Army’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program office has launched a business analysis - normally prepared as a prelude to a new acquisition effort - to explore options for modernising its light wheeled vehicle fleet, an move that comes as federal auditors estimate the price tag for the JLTV now in development could exceed US$800,000 per vehicle.