Oshkosh gets $1.5B contract for Army heavy tactical trucks

Oshkosh will continue producing the Army's heavy tactical trucks for the next five years at a cost of $1.54 billion, the Defense Department announced Tuesday.

"We are extremely honored that the U.S. Army continues to invest in the proven Oshkosh Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV),” Pat Williams, chief programs officer at Oshkosh Defense, said in a company statement. “Our continued collaboration with the Army ensures that we deliver exceptional, high-performance vehicles with the latest technologies and active safety features.”

Issued as a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract, the Wisconsin-based company will build the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles by an estimated completion date of Aug. 19, 2029, with the work locations and funding to be determined with each order, the Pentagon announcement reads.

Oshkosh intends to make “cost-effective and targeted upgrades to modernize the fleet, extend vehicle life, and reduce operating costs,” the company statement adds.

Designed to conduct the Army’s large-haul missions, the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles consists of the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), Palletized Load System (PLS), Palletized Load System Trailer and the Heavy Equipment Transporter, the latter of which is designed to transport the Abrams main battle tank.

The vehicle’s architecture allows for a “seamless integration of additional features, such as drive-by-wire capability, Condition Based Maintenance (CBM), electrification, export power, fuel efficiency and demand reduction modifications,” according to the company statement.

For fiscal year 2025, the Army intends to spend $98.9 million to procure 195 vehicles within the heavy tactical truck program with the amount decreasing to 99 vehicles for $65.5 million by FY-2029, according to service budget documents.

"The evolution of the FHTV through technical insertions and recapitalization is a testament to our innovation and focus on increased capabilities,” Williams added. “By integrating new technologies into the FHTV fleet, we are not only enhancing operational efficiency but also future proofing our vehicles to meet the evolving needs of the Warfighter.”

Currently, the Army is testing initial prototypes of the Common Tactical Truck (CTT), a potential replacement for the HEMTT and PLS featuring drive-by-wire capabilities, fuel efficiency and predictive maintenance.

The initial prototype testing will inform the program requirements for an expanded competition culminating in a production contract in 2026.

Oshkosh is competing against Navistar, Mack Defense, as well as a joint bid from American Rheinmetall and GM Defense in the CTT program.