JLTV Teaming

BAE Systems and Navistar Defense -- partners on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program -- announced today that they were adding Northrop Grumman to their team, according to a statement from the companies. Northrop will be tasked with developing the vehicle's communications and surveillance systems.

“By applying Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems' substantial domain expertise, the team will develop a net-ready, open architecture system, allowing the warfighter to configure the JLTV platform rapidly and inexpensively for current and future mission needs,” according to the statement. “Northrop Grumman will serve as the C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) lead, responsible for the integration of command and control hardware and software, computers and communications equipment, sensors and sensor suites for intelligence gathering and force protection.”

Three industry teams are competing for the JLTV contract, now in its technology development phase. The Army and Marines have announced plans to award up to two contracts for the engineering and manufacturing development phase in early 2012. The EMD phase will be subject to an open competition, however.

Other teams competing for JLTV include Lockheed Martin with BAE Armor Holdings, and General Dynamics with AM General. Earlier this month, Oshkosh Defense told Inside the Army it planned to compete for an EMD contract. Force Protection has also said it would explore a JLTV bid with its Ocelot vehicle.