Marines contract for armor kits

OSHKOSH, Wis., Oct. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine Corps has contracted Oshkosh Defense for armor kits that support the transport of medium tactical vehicles.

Wisconsin-based Oshkosh received the $180 million contract from the Marine Corps Systems Command to provide more than 1,500 reducible-height armor kits. The kits will go to support the transport requirements for medium tactical vehicles aboard prepositioning ships.

The reducible-height armor kits will be integrated with the company's medium tactical vehicle replacement fleet, which includes cargo trucks, tractors and dump trucks, among others.

"The reducible-height armor kits provide maximum crew protection in the field, while also improving transportability of the armored medium tactical vehicle replacement," John Stoddart, Oshkosh executive vice president and president, Defense, said in a statement.

"The medium tactical vehicle replacement has successfully served the Marine Corps and Navy for years, and Oshkosh is committed to adapting the vehicle to continually meet their needs."