U.S. Army seeking to improve Medium Tactical Vehicles

SILVER SPRINGS, Nev., Feb. 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army is moving to update its current Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles after sharing information with industry partners.

The current Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles entered production in 1991 as the Army replaced five-ton trucks with designs dating back to World War II with 2.5-ton trucks focusing on common chassis and components. The U.S. Army and its contractors have produced and updated over 75,000 FMTVs over the past 25 years.

"FMTVs are clearly the backbone of what Army transporters do today, and they are found in almost all Army formations," U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command transportation deputy capabilities manager Don Overton said.

The Army began fielding the A1P2 FMTV in 2008, but Army officials say it's time to transition to the A2.

"As our world is continuing to change, Soldiers' challenges and needs are changing too," Medium Tactical Vehicles product manager Lt. Col. Frank Bridges said.

The Army will likely continue planned improvements with FMTV suspension, protection, power and other capabilities, and anticipates releasing a Request for Proposal in late Fiscal 2016 and awarding a contract in Fiscal 2017.