Oshkosh begins Marines' vehicle production

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OSHKOSH, Wis., May 25 (UPI) -- Oshkosh Defense is starting full-rate production of tractor and wrecker vehicles for U.S. Marine Corps for transport and recovery of heavy equipment in theater.

More than 200 Logistics Vehicle System Replacement tractors and nearly 70 LVSR wreckers will be produced and delivered under the order, given by the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command.

These will be the first full-rate production tractor and wrecker variants, complementing the LVSR cargo variants that have been supporting Marines in Afghanistan since September 2009.

"The LVSR tractors and wreckers allow Marines to navigate some of their heaviest equipment through the most challenging off-road terrain," said John Bryant, vice president and general manager of Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense. "In addition to optimizing mobility, the LVSR incorporates technology that provides sophisticated on-board diagnostics information and integrated armor for superior protection."

The LVSR tractor is designed to haul combat vehicles, semi-trailers and other equipment. It has a fifth-wheel vertical-loading capacity of 25.3 tons and a recovery winch with a 30-ton capacity.

The LVSR wrecker supports vehicle recovery in a wide range of terrain. The heavy-payload vehicle can flat tow vehicles weighing as much as 55 tons as well as lift and tow vehicles weighing as much as 48 tons.

LVSR tractor and wrecker production is scheduled to begin in January and be completed in September 2012.

The order is valued at nearly $125 million.