Secretary Gates' visit to Oshkosh Corporation

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Secretary of Defense Robert Gates toured the Oshkosh Corporation on November 12, 2009, in a historic visit to the company’s headquarters and production site in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This is the facilities where MATVs (MRAP All Terrain Vehicles) are being produced for the warfighters currently deployed to Afghanistan. Oshkosh recently produced, completed and fielded to Afghanistan the first operational MATVs to units forward.

The MATV design is specifically based around the need for an armored vehicle capable of handling the extremely difficult terrain and lack of improved roads that make up the Afghan countryside where traditional MRAPs cannot go. The MATV design protects the passengers by not positioning them over wheel wells. This makes it much more difficult for pressure detonated IEDs and EFPs to have a direct impact on vehicle crew. The current projected budget for the MATVs is $3.3 billion and is expected to grow with operational success of the MATV downrange.



The first MATV is seen here being flown direct to Afghanistan. (Click on image to enlarge.)
  
The MTVR with TAK-4 suspension has been applauded by Marines operating it in Afghanistan where conditions do not always permit for traditional domestic operations. The MTVR success and the MATV rapid fielding could pave the road for Oshkosh to become the future of ground combat vehicles for both the Army and Marine Corps.

The MATV Program is a joint program falling under JPO MRAP. It is headed by the Marine Corps, with soldiers and civilians from the Army as much a part of the team effort to rapidly field the vehicles overseas. The MATV Program is lead by Program Manager Lt. Col. Coll Haddon, USA, who by trade is an Acquisition Corps officer with an Armor background.

Contributor: Sean Pillai

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1LT Sean Pillai currently serves in the US Military as a Rifle Platoon Leader with the 181 Infantry (L) in Cambridge, MA, Army National Guard. He was the Publisher and is a former Senior Editor for www.idga.org and www.defenceiq.com where he supervised content production and advised the global conference production teams on topic generation and strategy. His operational knowledge includes the US Army, Marine Corps and Navy from time spent served in joint operations and exercises globally.    

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Report Abuse   jason9mm@hotmail.com 11/14/2009 11:42:15 PM EST These vehciles will help alot. Our troops need them now! Replies (0) Post a reply Sign in or Sign up to post a comment