Earlier this year AM General displayed an example of the JLTV A2 (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle 2nd version) at Eurosatory 2024 in Paris, writes Bob Morrison.
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- Background: Oshkosh Defence was selected in August 2015 for the initial eight year JLTV production contract. In April 2020 the US Army announced it was looking to issue a new contract to manufacture its JLTV, after US Congress had mandated a recompete to bring down costs, and in February 2022 a Presolicitation Notice was issued for a five years plus five years option follow-on (JLTV A2) contract. In February 2023 the US DoD announced that AM General LLC had been awarded a $230,874,512 hybrid contract for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Family of Vehicles, and in May 2023 it announced the company (one of two bidders) had been awarded a $4,653,330,000 firm-fixed-price contract for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, trailers, kits and services to support production.
At Eurosatory 2024 our Senior Correspondent Carl Schulze was able to photograph the exterior of a JLTV A2 demonstrator on the AM General stand, though we held back on publication in the hope I might have the chance to take unobstructed photos of both sides of the forthcoming US Army (the original JLTV is also used by the US Marines) vehicle at DVD 2024 in the UK in September. AM General did have a stand, which I visited, on the Off-Road Area at the British event but rather than showing the JLTV A2 the company had decided instead to exhibit their smaller HUMVEE SABER potential UK Light Mobility Vehicle Programme contender; however unfortunately shipping issues following its display at a previous expo prevented SABER getting to the event at Millbrook Proving Ground in time.
Externally, with the exception of the radiator grille area, the JLTV A2 is near identical to the original JLTV but under the shell there are many differences. According to the manufacturer: “The new JLTV A2 is being developed with a strong focus on the warfighter’s needs, as well as a commitment to achieving excellence while minimising lifecycle costs. We are integrating our unmatched Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) experience with proven transformative manufacturing operations, producing the JLTV A2 with technical enhancements to fulfil multiple mission requirements.”
Key JLTV A2 Next Generation Joint Light Tactical Vehicle changes, as stated in company publicity material, include but are not limited to:-
- Engine and Transmission: MY 2024 L5P Duramax Turbo Diesel Engine with Allison 2500SP 6-speed automatic transmission. Provides fuel efficiency technology enhancements that substantially reduce fleet operational costs without compromising performance.
- 24 VOLT Lithium ION Battery: Simplified electrical architecture allows for future growth and hybridisation.
- Modular Base Integration Kit: Optimises the kit packaging space, providing greater cargo storage space for essential mission equipment.
- Noise Reduction Solutions: Improvements designed to reduce vehicle operational noise inside and outside the vehicle.
In their February 2023 press release announcing they had been awarded the contract AM General stated: “Deliveries are expected to begin 17 months after contract award.” However in August 2024 it was reported that initial delivery date for the JLTV A2 has slipped by six months until early 2025; it is therefore likely be some time before we see production examples in service with US Army units on this side of the Atlantic.
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