Lockheed moves JLTV forward with EMI testing

Lockheed Martin has completed initial electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing of the next-generation vehicle it is building for the U.S. Army’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) competition. The tests are helping team engineers reduce risk and ensure JLTV program success by advancing the team’s vehicle design in the early stages of development.

EMI testing was performed on the JLTV Team’s Combat Tactical Vehicle Payload Category B infantry carrier inside an anechoic chamber at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego NY. Insulated from outside radio signal interference, the chamber enables test engineers to precisely measure the emission levels radiating from specific equipment. Systems tested included radio antennas, displays, engine and transmission controllers and electrical components. Additional tests conducted on an outdoor range characterized the interactions of the vehicle’s antennas, which will determine the optimum design of the communications suite.

The tests were performed by Lockheed Martin’s Owego-based EMI Laboratory team, which recently gained accreditation from the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP). Run by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, the NVALP verifies that testing and calibration laboratories meet national and international quality and procedural requirements.

This summer, the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps are expected to award 27-month technology development contracts to at least two industry teams. Prototype JLTV vehicles developed for the demonstration will undergo a host of trials to military standards, including EMI testing. The services could order as many as 50,000 vehicles for operation beginning in the mid 2010s.

In addition to its infantry carrier, Lockheed Martin also has built a second JLTV prototype — the Utility Vehicle Light Payload Category C — designed to carry personnel, general cargo and ammunition. The Category B vehicle already has undergone more than 5,000 miles of on and off-road testing, and both vehicles will complete 25,000 test miles by the end of this year.

As a lightweight tactical vehicle, the JLTV program will provide the services with a family of expeditionary vehicles capable of on and off-road mobility, protection from roadside bombs and the ability to haul a variety of useful payloads. As a system, the sensors and communications suite aboard the JLTV will tap into the military’s global communications network, enabling forces to coordinate operations by sharing up-to-the-minute battlefield information.

The Lockheed Martin-led JLTV Team includes Lockheed Martin as the prime contractor and design agent, providing systems engineering, platform integration, design expertise and program management. BAE Systems Mobility & Protection Systems provides advanced armor solutions and production facilities for high volume assembly. Alcoa Defense supplies materials knowledge, design services and aluminum components that give the vehicle its structural strength at reduced weight.

Source: Lockheed Martin

Catching up ...

Here is some extra reading of interest.

DARPA asks for aircraft that can stay aloft to five years and Aurora gets the contract.

Aviation Week has news videos including one on Lockheed's JLTV.

Russia scraps Libya's debts as Putin visits Tripoli.

Iran shows off its military might.

Canadians to get combat badge and multiple tours recognition.

French receive first Pétits Véhicule Protégé (in French).

Sources: As cited
Photo: French Army

They told you so ...

Several places in our sphere are boasting how they featured George Tech Research Institutes' (GTRI) ULTRA AP (Armored Patrol) vehicle back in 2005. We did too but 'back in the day' but we did it solely by email. Does that count?

The Ultra AP is back with a mention in the Defense Science Board's DoD Energy Strategy "More Fight - Less Fuel" (pdf). The report looks at current and future energy efficiencies and savings. While it acknowledges the necessity to replace the Humvee it doesn't. like what it sees. MRAPs and JLTVs are just heavy resource consumers. Way back when, in 2005, ULTRA development focused on "survivability and safety:

• Survivability: This factor involves a vehicle’s ability to shield occupants from hostile action. The ULTRA AP will feature novel design concepts and research advances in lightweight and cost-effective armor to maximize capability and protection. The new armor was designed at GTRI in partnership with the Georgia Tech School of Materials Science and Egineering. The vehicle also incorporates a “blast bucket” designed to provide ballistic, blast and enhanced roll-over protection. New vehicle designs must incorporate dramatically increased resistance to explosions caused by mines and improvised explosive devices, Caille noted.
  
• Safety with Performance: The ULTRA design explored the use of on-board computers to integrate steering, suspension and brakes to provide an unparalleled level of mobility and safety, Caille added. The new vehicle’s integrated chassis represents an advancement over the most advanced current production vehicles."

At the time David Parekh, GTRI’s deputy director said “By including persons with high-performance automotive engineering and NASCAR expertise as part of our team, we were able to root this advanced concepts project in real-world vehicle design.”

Sources: As cited and GTRI 2005 Release.

JLTV update from BAE and Navistar

BAE Systems and Navistar have announced an operational system the team will use to compete forthe U.S. multi-service Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program.

"The BAE Systems Ground Systems-Navistar JLTV design optimizes what's referred to as the "iron triangle" - payload, protection and performance - to meet all requirements of the JLTV program. The 16,000-pound vehicle incorporates lessons learned from the U.S. Department of Defense's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program and features the latest in lightweight, advanced armor and a v-shaped hull design to provide unmatched crew protection. The vehicle will out-perform existing tactical systems by providing exportable power that exceeds JLTV requirements and existing MRAP capabilities. Its modular design maximizes commonality across JLTV variants and enables the seamless integration of future technologies."

Sources: BAE

Photo: Navistar

New JLTV participant

We wrote last month about the Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh joint bid on the JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) program. They have now announced bringing Israeli manufacturer Plasan on board for armor expertise.

“Plasan specializes in the design of armor protection systems,” said Dani Ziv, chief executive officer of Plasan. “We are pleased to be designing an armor solution exclusively with Oshkosh Corporation for the JLTV program.”

“Oshkosh Corporation Defense Group has demonstrated that it has the technology and expertise to design and build some of the world’s toughest military trucks,” said John Stoddart, executive vice president, Oshkosh Corporation and president, Defense Group. “By teaming with Plasan, we will be able to deliver a JLTV concept that meets the survivability and mobility needs of soldiers and Marines.”

Sources: Press Release and as cited

Photo: Plasan

Problems at Protected Vehicles deepen

MRAP builder Protected Vehicles Inc. of North Charleston, SC has filed for Chapter 11. Protected Vehicles was founded by Garth Barrett, a former Force Protection executive.

In July, Force Protection, of Ladson, SC, launched a suit claiming, among other things, computer fraud and misappropriation of trade secrets.

Of course the Marine Corps announced in December '07 that they were drastically cutting back on MRAP purchases and looking toward the JLTV.

Protected Vehicles and Rafael had developed the GOLAN MRAP platform.

Sources: Various
Photo: Protected Vehicles

JLTV update

An RFP has been issued for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).

"JLTV will replace all the HMMWVs for the Marine Corps and will be the centerpiece of the light tactical wheeled vehicle fleet as part of the tactical mobility triad to maintain our expeditionary capability," Lt. Col. Ben Garza, JLTV program manager for the Marine Corps at Quantico, Va., said.

Like the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle will stress a commonality of capabilities and components. There are expected to be 10 sub-configurations in three different payload categories.

Sources: Various

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Update

For over twenty years the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, HMMWV or "humvee", has been quite the success story. Thousands have been produced for the U.S. Armed Forces. More than a dozen variants were created from an ambulance to a TOW missile carrier. It even spawned the civilian Hummer.

The days of the HMMWV are, however, numbered. Like it's predecessor the Jeep, the HMMWV was designed for use behind the front lines. Times and the battlefront have changed. These vehicles were finding themselves confronted by heavy small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), IEDs and other threats they were never designed to face

In response the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program was launched. JLTV program is looking to procure an acceptable next-generation vehicle probably about half the size and price of an MRAP. Speed and mobility will be demanded in five variants: Reconnaissance; Utility; Combat/Tactical and C2. This means billions of dollars and this story will really begin to heat up with an expected RFP in February.

The most recent news on this front is an announced new partnership. Northrop Grumman has joined with Oshkosh Trucks to compete with Boeing/Textron, General Dynamics/Force Protection and Lockheed Martin/Armor Holdings (now part of BAE). Stay tuned.

Sources: Various

Marine Corps buying fewer armored vehicles

As we noted last week, the Marine Corps is buying fewer MRAPs. Today MSNBC picked up on an AP story about this and it makes several good points.

• The number of IED attacks in Iraq are down.


• The Corps and the Army have different roles and requirements. The Army will continue to want lots of MRAPS.


• The Marines are very interested in getting some of that MRAP money and purchasing the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs).

The article goes on to speculate on the effects to industry. It's a good overview and nice to see in a very public domain.

Source: MSNBC