Marines order Oshkosh cargo variants

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OSHKOSH, Wis., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine Corps has ordered more than 100 cargo variant vehicles from Oshkosh Defense for delivery by April 2012.

The contract, issued by the Marine Corps Systems Command, is worth nearly $50 million.

It not only calls for delivery of the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement cargo vehicle variants but also for 120 enhanced protection kits.

"The LVSR is an advanced tactical vehicle built for today's logistics missions, which often require Marines to travel off-road in harsh environments," said John Bryant, vice president and general manager of Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense. "When troops need to travel on rough terrain in combat zones, they need improved survivability, mobility and enhanced performance to help them accomplish their objectives -- and the LVSR delivers those capabilities."

Oshkosh said it produces the LVSR in three variants: cargo, wrecker and tractor.

The LVSR features an on-road payload capacity of 22.5 tons and an off-road payload capacity of 16.5 tons. It is equipped with the Oshkosh Command Zone embedded diagnostics system to provide real-time performance feedback on vital vehicle information. It also uses the company's patented TAK-4 independent suspension system for off-road mobility in the most challenging environments.

Production of the vehicles is to begin in August.