Oshkosh WI (SPX) Apr 28, 2010 –
Oshkosh Defense has announced that it has received a purchase order for more than $11 million from Force Protection Industries, Inc. (FPII) to extend an existing contract and retain approximately 100 Oshkosh field service representatives (FSR) in Kuwait for an additional four months.
The FSRs will continue support of FPII and the military with installation of the Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension systems on FPII Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, known as Cougars, which started in July 2009. The extension will allow Oshkosh FSRs to continue work in Kuwait through June of this year.
Oshkosh Defense is working with multiple manufacturers of legacy MRAPs and has received orders to retrofit more than 2,500 vehicles with the Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension systems.
Vehicles outfitted with the TAK-4 system have greater mobility with 16 inches of independent wheel travel to provide advanced off-road capabilities necessary for Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain and unimproved roads.
The system also greatly reduces shock and vibration, resulting in longer component life and less wear-and-tear on soldiers and Marines so they can be better prepared for their missions.
“We’ve had great success in retrofitting legacy MRAPs with our TAK-4 independent suspension system, enabling the military’s current fleet to deliver exceptional off-road performance and crew comfort,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense.
“These improvements allow our troops to operate in Afghanistan’s extreme environments, so it’s important to get these upgrades in the field as fast as possible. Our FSRs allow us to move quickly by working in theater with our troops, bringing Oshkosh technology and support directly to our warfighters.”