Oshkosh recapitalizing Army's tactical trucks

OSHKOSH, Wis., March 24 (UPI) -- Oshkosh Defense is to recapitalize U.S. Army heavy tactical vehicles and produce trailers for them through multiple orders valued at more than $430 million.

The upgrade of 1,212 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks, or HEMTT, and Palletized Load Systems will result in vehicles with the same performance and life-cycle cost advantages as new production vehicles.

"We understand the critical need to improve reliability for in-theater operations without sacrificing performance on aging vehicle fleets," said John Bryant, senior vice president of Defense Programs at Oshkosh Defense. "That is why Oshkosh recapitalized vehicles are assembled on the same production line as new vehicles, and complete the same extensive performance tests and inspection procedures as new vehicles."

The Oshkosh HEMTT is a mainstay of the Army's logistics fleet. They have a 13-ton payload and come in multiple variants. The Oshkosh PLS A1 supports the Army's distribution and resupply system for delivery of ammunition and other critical supplies.

The trailers to be produced number 345 units, the company said.