Lockheed's JLTV completes manufacturing readiness assessment

DALLAS, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. government's Manufacturing Readiness Assessment has been completed by Lockheed Martin on its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.

The MRA measures manufacturing maturity and assesses technical risk. Lockheed said the testing represented an important milestone for vehicle production at the company's Camden, Ark., manufacturing complex.

"We look forward to adding another joint U.S. Army/Marine Corps vehicle-manufacturing program to our Camden Operations," said Scott Greene, vice president of Ground Vehicles for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "With proven assembly methods, a keen focus on efficiency and a highly skilled workforce, we are confident that the tremendous success we've achieved producing the HIMARS [High Mobility Artillery Rocket System] launcher for the Army and Marines will translate to an outstanding JLTV for those very same customers."

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is being designed to replace HMMWV, or Humvee, vehicles used by the Army and Marine Corps. It features a patented Meritor Pro-Tec all-independent air-ride suspension, a Cummins turbo diesel, an Allison transmission and increased protection against improvised explosive devices and mines from BAE Systems.