Navistar receives MRAP ambulance order

WARRENVILLE, Ill., May 5 (UPI) -- Navistar Defense reports the U.S. Marine Corps has ordered 250 International MaxxPro Dash armored ambulances with DXM independent suspension.

The order from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles falls under the company's existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract and is worth $183 million.

"Survivability and mobility continue to be key capabilities required to help our warfighters complete their missions safely," said Navistar Defense President Archie Massicotte. "Medics face the same threats on the battlefield and we are proud to provide them with a vehicle that offers both MRAP level protection and independent suspension for off-road mobility."

The MaxxPro Dash ambulance is the company's latest MRAP variant and follows Navistar's November and December orders for MaxxPro Dash and Recovery vehicles.

The company first unveiled its Dash Ambulance at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in October 2010 as a retrofit kit option for existing MaxxPro variants.

The vehicle includes an easy-to-use litter assist system as well as a protected work space benefitting medics and patients.

Production will occur at the company's West Point, Miss., facility. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in June and be completed by the end of September.

Meanwhile, Navistar last week received a $13 million delivery order for MRAP field service representatives, instructors and mechanics. The order was placed by the Marine Corps Systems Command under the company's existing MRAP contract. Work will be completed in Kuwait.