Supply Chain

M-ATVs are tactical vehicles designed for U.S. soldiers and Marines in Afghanistan. They are lighter, more mobile versions of the first-generation MRAPs that can provide comparable protection from roadside bombs, explosively formed projectiles, and rocket-propelled grenades when using appliqué armor.

USCS Variant

The M-ATV developed by BAE Systems’ U.S. Combat Systems (USCS) line of business is the product of more than 30 months of mine-protected light tactical vehicle development. This USCS M-ATV has completed thousands of test miles and scores of blast and ballistic tests.

The vehicle drew on the developmental experience of the nine RG-33 MRAP variants, providing the same level of armored protection at a reduced vehicle weight. The company quickly designed, developed, produced and fielded over 2,000 RG-33 vehicles from 2007 to 2008 to meet the urgent government need for armored tactical vehicles.

GTS Variant

The company’s Global Tactical Systems (GTS) line of business, submitted the GTS M-ATV prototype. GTS M-ATV incorporates the many lessons learned from development of the prototype Caiman Light MRAP and the rapid development and manufacturing of nearly 3,000 Caiman MRAPs from 2007 to 2008.

The GTS M-ATV balances the priority for crew protection and tactical mobility requirements against the rapid transition to high-rate production, vehicle delivery, and life-cycle sustainment requirements.

GTS MAT-V, and its Caiman predecessor, come from a long line of battle-tested, combat-proven tactical vehicles in the family of medium tactical vehicle (FMTV) line. This arrangement allows the GTS MAT-V to share a full 90 percent of its automotive systems with the FMTV. The GTS M-ATV and FMTV also use the common armor systems, power generation systems, seats, windows, and fire suppression systems, which greatly reduces logistics requirements Army-wide.

GlobalTag to Enhance and Extend Supply Chain Visibility

Numerex Corp. and Savi, a Lockheed Martin company, have announced their technology partnership to co-develop what would be the first asset and shipment monitoring device that combines global satellite positioning, active radio frequency identification and satellite communications. The hybrid ST-694 GlobalTag is being developed to provide continuous monitoring and precise location information of assets most anywhere and anytime for defense, public sector and commercial customers.

The ST-694 will provide a new cost-effective solution to a growing market demanding new capabilities for both spot-level and ongoing in-transit visibility of their shipments and mobile supply chain assets, such as transport vehicles, container shipments or large and valuable equipment. The solution leverages Numerex’s strength as a leading provider of full-service, highly secure M2M (machine-to-machine) network services and solutions and Savi’s premier capabilities in providing a full range of integrated automatic identification technology (AIT) product solutions for supply chain visibility, management and security.

“Savi provides a leading-edge technology behind the world’s largest RFID network in place today,” said Mike Marett, chief operating officer, Numerex Corp. “We believe that this powerful combination of expertise and automated technologies will advance supply chain monitoring and management capabilities from origin to final destination, resulting in higher levels of value for our customers.”

“We decided to partner with Numerex on this innovative solution because of the company’s success in deploying reliable satellite technologies in the emergency management industry,” said David Shannon, Savi Technology’s senior vice president of product management, marketing and strategy. “Our collaboration will benefit any government agency, department, or supply chain professional in need of a truly transparent, integrated tracking solution than can span across existing RFID networks and into areas where traditional active RFID infrastructure is not practical. This will deliver improved, seamless visibility throughout the supply chain regardless of physical location.”

The satellite-based global RFID device will be designed to provide tracking information in the harshest environmental conditions, be scalable, flexible, and deliver real-time visibility to those who need it, on a near global basis. The partners will work together to ensure that the ST-694 GlobalTag becomes HERO (hazards of electromagnetic radiation to ordnance) certified, and based on the ISO 18000-7 standard for active RFID, which will help promote interoperability with compatible networks and devices.

Navigation Software and Ethernet Access for Air Force Refueling Program

Northrop Grumman Corp.’s relative navigation solution has been selected by the Air Force for the automated aerial refueling (AAR) program follow-on contract. Relative navigation, the ability to measure the relative motions of two vehicles accurately and reliably, is critical to aerial refueling of unmanned vehicles. Northrop Grumman’s solution provides an LN-251 inertial navigation system (INS) with ethernet connectivity that runs relative navigation software.

“Northrop Grumman is proud to continue its support of the Air Force Research Laboratory as it matures relative navigation technology,” said Charles Volk, vice president and chief technology officer of Northrop Grumman’s Navigation Systems Division. “The selection of Northrop Grumman by the Air Force demonstrates the quality of the LN-251 system, Northrop Grumman’s achievements in relative navigation technology, and the company’s ability to work collaboratively to deliver mission-enabling solutions.”

“Northrop Grumman has been involved with AAR since it began and has supported all the test flights so far,” said Alex Fax, director of positioning, navigation and timing solutions for Northrop Grumman’s Navigation Systems Division. “We played a critical role in the overall system integration of AAR, supported system architecture development and provided analysis for the program. The navigation system we develop will be supplied to the AAR integrator team.”

“Relative navigation is a key enabler for capabilities that involve vehicles that must operate in close proximity,” said Fax. “A relative navigation capability extends the operational effectiveness of unmanned vehicles by enabling aerial refueling and future carrier landings.”

The AAR program demonstrates the capability of refueling unmanned aerial vehicles with the existing Air Force tanker fleet. The Air Force Research Laboratory successfully demonstrated the ability of the AAR system to autonomously execute aerial refueling maneuvers in close proximity to a tanker during flight tests in November 2007. Initial flight tests scheduled for the next program phase will focus on integrating and characterizing multiple LN-251 units, with final flight tests planned prior to system delivery for use by the AAR Integrator Team. During the earlier tests, Northrop Grumman’s relative navigation software and fiber-optic INS provided the accuracy and the relative positioning information that enabled a Learjet modified to act as a surrogate UAV to maneuver autonomously near the tanker.

The LN-251 INS units contain a high-performance navigation-grade fiber-optic gyro-based inertial measurement unit that provides a compact and low-noise precision navigation solution for the relative navigation applications. The LN-251 is easy to incorporate into new aircraft and avionics systems of existing aircraft. Its modular open architecture supports new applications and evolving requirements.

Heavy Equipment Transporter Unveiled

Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corp., has unveiled the newest version of its heavy equipment transporter (HET), known as the HET A1, at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Winter Symposium and Exposition in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The HET A1 features numerous upgrades to the M1070 HET, including a 700-horsepower engine and an Allison 4800SP transmission, as well as improved seats, standard air conditioning and an available third door. The HET is designed to haul main battle tanks, fighting and recovery vehicles, armored vehicles and construction equipment quickly and safely to mission sites.

In March 2008, Oshkosh Defense was awarded a single-source contract worth $11.3 million from the Army for the engineering and initial production of six next-generation HET A1 vehicles. Oshkosh began manufacturing the HET in 1992 and also supplies the U.K. Ministry of Defence with the 1070F HET.

New Wrecker Vehicle

Navistar International has unveiled a new 26-ton wrecker designed to pick up, transport or remove combat-damaged vehicles from the war zone with a 50-ton heavy-lift ability, company officials said. At the same time, the U.S. Army released a solicitation in the last several weeks calling on industry to provide information for a 30-ton wrecker vehicle, industry and Army officials said.

The request for information calls for a large recovery vehicle designed to have the protective abilities of an MRAP. The heavy-lift wreckers are needed to remove bomb-damaged vehicles and move 14- to 24-ton MRAPs if they break down or stop because of environmental or mechanical issues.

Navistar’s wrecker vehicle is built with some of the same parts used to build MaxxPro MRAPs, such as an Allison transmission, 570 amp alternator and 375 horsepower engine, company officials said. ♦

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