Joint Light Tactical Vehicle

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV or Joltvee) L-ATV
Oshkosh L-ATV in M1278 Heavy Guns Carrier JLTV configuration and equipped with M153 CROWS II remote weapon system integrated with M2 Browning .50 Caliber heavy machine gun
TypeLight utility/combat multi-role vehicle
Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle (MRAP)
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In serviceJanuary 2019[1] – present
Used byUnited States Army
United States Marine Corps
United States Air Force
Production history
DesignerOshkosh
Designed2011[2]
Unit cost$370,000–$399,000[3]
ProducedContract placed 25 August 2015; first test JLTV delivered to Army in 2016. Full rate production transition approved in 2019
No. built19,727 (est.) JLTVs ordered by January 2022, with about 19,000 of those for US armed forces
VariantsAll JLTV variants except*
M1278 Heavy Guns Carrier[2]
M1279 Utility[2]
M1280 General Purpose[2]
M1281 Close Combat Weapons Carrier[2]
*L-ATV Ambulance[4]
Specifications
MassGross vehicle weight: 22,500 lb (10,200 kg)
Length20.5 ft (6.2 m) (nominal)
Width8.2 ft (2.5 m) (nominal)
Height8.5 ft (2.6 m) (nominal)
Crew1 + 3 in individual seats + optional gunner (I + 1; M1279 Utility)

ArmorClassified (A-kit/B-kit configuration)
Main
armament
A variety of light and medium caliber weapons, AGLs, or ATGMs can be fitted
Engine6.6 L Gale Banks Engineering 866T V8 (based on General Motors Duramax L5P)[5]
400 hp (298 kW; 406 PS); 850 lb⋅ft (1,152 N⋅m)[5]
TransmissionAllison 2500SP 6-speed automatic
SuspensionOshkosh TAK-4i independent suspension
Operational
range
300 miles (480 km)
Maximum speed Forward
Road: 70 mph (110 km/h)
Off road: varies
Reverse: 8 mph (13 km/h)
Steering
system
Power-assisted, front wheels

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), known and marketed under Oshkosh development as the L-ATV (Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle), is a light utility/combat multi-role vehicle. The Oshkosh-developed JLTV was selected for acquisition under the US military's Army-led Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program. In the very early stages of the program it was suggested that JLTV would replace the AM General High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) on a one-for-one basis. It is now suggested that the JLTV will partially replace the HMMWV.[6]

The L-ATV was designed to deliver a level of protection comparable to that of heavier and less maneuverable Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) class designs, these having more protection from blast than up-armored HMMWVs which they were delivered to replace on deployed operations.[6]

In August 2015, the L-ATV was selected as the winner of the JLTV program.[7] The first JLTV delivery order was placed in March 2016 with the U.S. Army ordering 657 examples.[8] Overall requirements have fluctuated, but as of January 2022 were stated by Micheal Sprang, JLTV Project Director to be 49,099 for the Army; approximately 12,500 for the Marine Corps; 2,000 for the Air Force (dependent on funding); and approximately 400 for the Navy.[6]

The JLTV achieved initial operating capability in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2019. The Army recompeted the right to manufacture the JLTV beginning with the A2 variant. In 2023, the Army selected AM General. Oshkosh expects to produce JLTVs into early 2025 and retains the right to produce JLTVs for direct commercial sale.

  1. ^ [1] – army.mil, 28 January 2019
  2. ^ a b c d e Oshkosh Defense Wins JLTV Contract – Defensemedianetwork.com, 26 August 2015
  3. ^ "Oshkosh Defense's Hybrid JLTV May Offer the Army Some Advantages — For A Price". Forbes. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  4. ^ "OSHKOSH DEFENSE TO PREMIER L-ATV AMBULANCE AT AUSA GLOBAL FORCE SYMPOSIUM 2019". Oshkosh. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Oshkosh JLTV First Drive Review". Motor Trend. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV))". Janes. Retrieved 29 March 2022.[dead link]
  7. ^ Oshkosh Wins JLTV Award – Armytimes.com, 25 August 2015
  8. ^ US Army Orders First Lot of JLTVs From Oshkosh – Defensenews.com, 23 March 2016