A -- Conceptual Design & Mockup Science & Technology Efforts in Support of the Family of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles

In response to an operational need and an aging fleet of light tactical wheeled vehicles, the Joint Services are developing a requirement for a family of new tactical wheeled vehicles. This vehicle will provide increased force protection, survivability, and improved capacity over the current up-armored High Mobility Multi Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) while balancing mobility and transportability requirements with total ownership costs. The collection of mission role variants based on one or more common vehicle platforms is known as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles. The five (5) Mission Role Vehicles (i.e., common platform(s) configured to perform a particular mission) are defined as follows: 1) Combat Tactical Variant 2) Command and Control Variant 3) Utility Variant 4) Light Infantry Squad Carrier Variant and 5) Reconnaissance Variant. The vehicle family will also include compatible trailers. These 5 Mission Role Vehicles track to the 5 task oriented gaps in current joint service light tactical mobility that have been identified through JCIDS analysis: (1) Move mounted infantry/combat arms forces; (2) Move mounted Combat Service forces; (3) Move mounted Combat Service Support forces; (4) Move Light Infantry (Airborne/Air Assault) and (5) Move reconnaissance forces undetected. The JLTV and other future military vehicles will be designed with basic organic armor protection (A kit) but must also accommodate an add-on armor protection system (B kit) that may be installed by the vehicle occupants. This approach has significant implications for the design of the vehicle. The propulsion and suspension systems must be capable of providing adequate mobility performance under widely varying vehicle load conditions. The body structure must be strong and rigid enough to securely attach heavy armor panels & ballistic glass, yet light enough for air transport. The braking system must be sized for the maximum anticipated Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), yet still be capable of functioning properly when the vehicle is lightly loaded. Vehicle dimensions and weight have a very significant effect on transportability aboard ships and aircraft. The JLTV family of vehicles must be designed to be network enabled and provide capability to organically power all of the on-board electronic components, both with the engine on and in extended silent watch, as well as export power to outside systems. Simultaneously satisfying these and other design issues, and making this an affordable family of vehicles, will require innovative and novel technologies and strategies and the judicious use of advanced technology informed by a measured decision-making process. These science and technology efforts are not related to a specific program of record or hardware procurement but will be used to advance the state-of-the-art and increase our knowledge base relative to the trades and technologies being developed. The results from these efforts will be used to support an envisioned phased joint service program and help define a common set of vehicle requirements.