Oshkosh Defense Completes 7,500 Miles of M-ATV Testing

On Thursday June 18, 2009, 8:00 am EDT
OSHKOSH, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK - News), is on target to complete 10,000 miles of on- and off-road durability testing of its MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) at the Nevada Automotive Test Center, further proving the vehicle’s endurance through extended operations in challenging environments.
Oshkosh Defense has already performed more than 7,500 miles of independent testing using its own time and resources to identify any possible enhancements that could be made to the vehicle and to ensure it would be ready for operations on Afghanistan’s harsh terrain. Rigorous testing is part of the Oshkosh standard process to make certain its vehicles are ready to withstand the demanding environments in which they operate.
“This is a significant milestone that showcases the durability and off-road capabilities of the Oshkosh M-ATV,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “We are committed to providing the U.S. Armed Forces with a high-performance vehicle that answers the urgent-need requirement in Afghanistan. Our independent testing is helping us accomplish that.”
The testing has confirmed the vehicle’s exceptional off-road performance, which is benefited by the integration of the Oshkosh TAK-4® independent suspension system, and validated the durability of its entire integrated system. Utilizing vehicle components and technologies that are already in combat, the Oshkosh M-ATV is the most mission-proven option available to the U.S. Armed Forces. It is based on the combat-tested Oshkosh® Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) chassis and features the same C7 engine used on the U.S. Army’s current medium fleet. The vehicle’s superior armor and survivability system was provided by Plasan North America, which contributed the armor for more than 5,000 MRAPs in theater.
The TAK-4 system is the only readily available and theater-tested off-road suspension system used by the U.S. military for this class of vehicle. Oshkosh recently received a contract to equip more than 1,500 MRAPs with TAK-4 suspension and continues to work with the military to evaluate using it on additional MRAP models. The advanced suspension system, which has undergone more than 400,000 miles of government testing, is also featured on the U.S. Army’s Palletized Load System (PLS A1) and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR).
The Oshkosh M-ATV is delivered with the survivability, mobility, mission-proven and production-ready solutions required for Afghanistan. The vehicle is based on a combat-proven chassis that has been successfully operating for years in the most difficult off-road missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corp. manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, BAI®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, Geesink™, Norba™, Kiggen™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the consequences of financial leverage associated with the JLG acquisition, including the level of the Company’s borrowing costs, the increased interest rates the Company would face if it experienced a deterioration or downgrade in credit agency ratings and the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with its financial covenants under its credit agreement; the cyclical nature of the Company’s access equipment, commercial and fire & emergency markets, especially during a global recession and credit crisis; the duration of the global recession and its adverse impact on the Company’s share price, which could lead to additional impairment charges related to many of the Company’s intangible assets; the expected level and timing of U.S. Department of Defense procurement of products and services and funding thereof; risks related to reductions in government expenditures and the uncertainty of government contracts; the potential for commodity costs to rise sharply in a future economic recovery; risks associated with international operations and sales, including foreign currency fluctuations; the Company’s ability to close the sale of its Geesink business on its expected timetable; risks related to the collectability of receivables during a recession, particularly for those businesses with exposure to construction markets; and the potential for increased costs relating to compliance with changes in laws and regulations. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Oshkosh Corporation
Eddie Garcia, Director, Government Marketing
920-233-9212
egarcia@defense.oshkoshcorp.com