Oshkosh, General Dynamics team on vehicle programs
Jeff Krumrei, regional manager of international programs for Oshkosh Defense, and Ken Yamashita, manager of corporate affairs for General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, describe the M-TAV and the advantages of their partnership during CANSEC 2010.
On March 22, Oshkosh Defense and General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada announced a partnership to pursue two of DND’s wheeled vehicle programs: the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) and the Standard Military Pattern (SMP) portion of the Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS).
The TAPV will replace the Armoured Patrol Vehicle and the Coyote reconnaissance vehicle while the MSVS will replace the Medium Logistics Vehicles, Wheeled (MLVW) fleet.
The Oshkosh-General Dynamics team enters a competition for the TAPV that includes BAE (RG35), Thales Canada/Thales Australia (Bushmaster), Textron Marine and Land Systems and Nexter (ARAVIS).
In an interview with Vanguard, Ron Ziebell, vice president of international programs for Oshkosh Defense, and Ken Yamashita, manager of corporate affairs for General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, said the teaming agreement was simply a good fit.
“We were looking at Canadian programs and have known GDLS for a while. The initiative seemed to be something we ought to explore. And in contacting GDLS, it was clear…we could bring [more] to the programs if we did them together,” Ziebell said.
“From our end, it was the complementing of each other,” Yamashita explained. “We felt Oshkosh had the right product for the TAPV program. And we’ve got a lot of skills in the area of system integration in terms of logistic support. So we thought the combining of great product…and our support capabilities and systems integration capabilities made for a compelling team.”
The two companies have worked together before – Oshkosh provides its TAK-4 independent suspension systems for the GDLS RG-31 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle – but the teaming agreement promises much greater integration. “This one is much broader,” Yamashita said. “[The first] was more a supplier type of relationship. This is definitely teaming between the two companies.”
Oskhosh Defense will offer its M-ATV, a mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle currently being produced for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. Ziebell said it would serve as the base vehicle but could be customized once specs are issued.
General Dynamics Land Systems will be responsible for procurement of the remote weapons station, systems integration, interim contractor logistics and long-term vehicle sustainment. “We have a lot of experience in integrating various weapon systems onto our light armoured vehicles, Yamashita said. “In addition, [we would integrate] any other major systems that would be part of the Canadian program. Many of these things still need to be defined by the Canadian government. The other big area is going to be contractor support, both for the immediate time of the contract on the Canadian side of the support package, and then [the] 25-year support contract. We would see playing a big role doing the in-country support there.”
Though the DND had indicated it would issue an RFP for the TAPV last fall, industry has now been given an SOIQ (Solicitation of Interest and Qualification) of June 2, with an RFP this fall, followed by a contract award in the fall of 2011. The contract would involve 500 vehicles (with an option for 100 more) valued at 1.3 billion.
For the Standard Military Pattern (SMP) portion of the MSVS program, a draft model contract was posted in October and an RFP was expected this spring. The draft calls for 1,533 vehicles, 301 trailers and 157 protection systems, valued at $350-400 million. The team will offer Oshkosh’s MTVR or HEMTT platforms.
