Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
The JLTV program is currently in the Technology Development (TD) phase. The Defense Acquisition Executive (DAE) approved the Milestone A Decision in December 2007. A Request for Proposals was released in February 2008 and three contracts were awarded in October 2008 to BAE Systems, General Tactical Vehicles (a joint venture between General Dynamics Land Systems and AM General), and Lockheed Martin.
The JLTV is an Army-led multi-service initiative to develop a family of future light tactical vehicles to replace many of the 160,000 HMMWVs used by the armed services today. HMMWVs, which first entered service in 1985, were developed during the Cold War when improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other anti-vehicle explosive devices were not a major factor in military planning. The HMMWV’s demonstrated vulnerability to IEDs and the difficulties and costs experienced in “up-armoring” HMMWVs already in the inventory have led to renewed emphasis on vehicle survivability. With more than 50% of the Army’s total tactical wheeled vehicle fleet nearing the end of its useful life, and with the needs of the services to repair equipment and grow their forces, the JLTV, with its scalable armor protection, is intended to replace a large portion of the HMMWV fleet. DOD officials have emphasized that JLTVs are not intended to replace HMMWVs “one for one.”2 The Pentagon envisions HMMWVs remaining in service for many years to come, and about 3,000 to 5,000 HMMWVs continue to be produced on an annual basis.