Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV):
Background and Issues for Congress
Andrew Feickert
Specialist in Military Ground Forces
March 11August 6, 2014
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
RS22942
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress
Summary
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is being developed by the Army and the Marine Corps as
a successor to the High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) that, which has been in service
since 1985. On October 28, 2008, awards were made for the JLTV Technology Development
(TD) Phase to three industry teams: (1) BAE Systems, (2) the team of Lockheed Martin and
General Tactical Vehicle, and (3) AM General and General Dynamics Land Systems. Once testing
was completed and technology requirements established, a full and open competition was
expected to be conducted in the late summer of 2011 for the Engineering and Manufacturing
Development (EMD) Phase; the Department of Defense (DOD) planned to award two contracts
for the EMD phase, which was scheduled to last 24 months.
In February 2011, it was announced the award of the EMD contract would be delayed until
January or February 2012 because the Army changed requirements for the JLTV. DOD had
planned to award two contracts for the EMD phase, which was scheduled to last 24 months, but
instead proposed a 48-month-long EMD. There will be two JLTV variants—a Combat Tactical
Vehicle (CTV) that can transport four passengers and carry 3,500 pounds and a Combat Support
Vehicle (CSV) that can transport two passengers and carry 5,100 pounds.
On January 26, 2012, the Army issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the JLTV’s EMD
phase. Up to three EMD contracts could be awarded, and contract award was scheduled for June
2012. The period of performance for EMD contracts is 27 months, with the overall EMD phase
scheduled to last 33 months. Vendors would be required to provide 22 JLTV prototypes for
testing 12 months after contract award. The target cost for the base vehicle is $250,000 excluding
add-on armor and other kits.
On August 22, 2012, the Army announced the award of three firm-fixed price JLTV EMD
contracts totaling approximately $185 million. The three companies awarded the EMD contracts
were AM General, LLC (South Bend, IN); Lockheed Martin Corporation (Grand Prairie, TX);
and Oshkosh Corporation (Oshkosh, WI).
On September 3, 2013, the Army began JLTV testing, which will occur over a 14-month period at
at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD; Yuma,
AZ; and Redstone Arsenal, AL. The Army then plans to
select a single vendor by 2015, with the
first Army brigade being equipped with JLTVs by 2018.
FY2015 program plans anticipate a
Milestone C (Production and Deployment Phase Approval)
decision in the fourth quarter of
FY2015, followed by low rate initial production (LRIP).
The FY2014 Budget Request for JLTVs was $84.2 million for Army Research, Development,
Test and Evaluation (RDT T&E) and $50.4 million for Marine Corps RDT&E, for a program
total of $134.6 million. The FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 113-66)
recommended fully funding the Army and Marines. The Consolidated Appropriations Act for
FY2014 also recommended fully funding the Army and Marines. The President’s FY2015 budget
In June 2014, the Army issued a draft RFP for the JLTV Full-Rate Production Phase and plans to
select a contract winner in July 2015. The Office of the Secretary of Defense recently conducted
an interim review of the JLTV program and found it is likely to meet all eight key performance
parameters.
The President’s FY2015 budget request calls for $229.3 million for Army and Marine RDT&E
and Procurement funding for the
JLTV JLTV. The House and Senate versions of the FY2015 National
Defense Authorization Act recommend fully funding the Administration’s FY2015 JLTV budget
request, as does the FY2015 Department of Defense appropriations bill.
A potential issue for Congress is how decreasing Army and Marine force structure affects the
JLTV program. This report will be updated.
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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress
Contents
Background ...................................................................................................................................... 1
JLTV Program.................................................................................................................................. 1
What Is the JLTV? ..................................................................................................................... 1
Program Structure ...................................................................................................................... 1
Program History............................................................................................................................... 2
Technology Development Contracts Awarded .......................................................................... 2
JLTV Contracts Protested .......................................................................................................... 2
Change in Requirements, Program Schedule, and Variants....................................................... 3
Army Issues RFP for EMD Phase ............................................................................................. 3
Revised Acquisition Quantities ................................................................................................. 3
Foreign Participation in JLTV Program..................................................................................... 4
Program Activities ........................................................................................................................... 4
Marines Might Acquire JLTVs over a Longer Period ............................................................... 4
Army Delays Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Report A Change to JLTV Competitors................................................................................................. 4
A Change to JLTV Competitors5
JLTV EMD Contracts Awarded ................................................................................................. 5
JLTV EMD Contracts Awarded .........Army Releases JLTV Market Survey ........................................................................................ 5
Army Releases JLTV Market Survey ....6
DOD Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) .................................................................................... 6
DOD Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) 6
JLTV Testing Begins ................................................................................. 6
JLTV Testing Begins ................................ 6
Draft RFP for JLTV Full-Rate Production Phase and DOD’s Program Assessment ................. 7
Budgetary Issues ................................................................................. 6
Projected FY2015 Program Activities ................................................................ 7
FY2015 President’s Budget Request ....................... 7
Budgetary Issues ....................................................................... 7
H.R. 4435, National Defense Authorization Act for FY2015....................................................... 7
FY2014 JLTV Budget Request 8
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle .................................................................................................. 7
8
S. 2410, National Defense Authorization Act for FY2014 (P.L. 113-66) FY2015 ........................................................ 7
Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2014 (P.L. 113-76) 8
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle ....................................................... 7
FY2015 President’s Budget Request .......................................... 8
H.R. 4870, Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, 2015 ................................................ 7. 9
Potential Issue for Congress ............................................................................................................ 89
Revised Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Requirements...................................................................... 89
Tables
Table 1. FY2015 JLTV Budget Request .......................................................................................... 7
Contacts
Author Contact Information............................................................................................................. 89
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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress
Background1
The JLTV is an Army-led, multi-service initiative to develop a family of future light tactical
vehicles to replace many of the HMMWVs used by the armed services today. HMMWVs, which
first entered service in 1985, were developed during the Cold War when improvised explosive
devices (IEDs) and other anti-vehicle explosive devices were not a major factor in military
planning. The HMMWV’s demonstrated vulnerability to IEDs and the difficulties and costs
experienced in “up-armoring” HMMWVs already in the inventory have led to renewed emphasis
on vehicle survivability. DOD officials have emphasized that JLTVs are not intended to replace
HMMWVs “one for one.”2
JLTV Program
What Is the JLTV?3
The JLTV program is a joint Army/Marine Corps effort to develop and produce both vehicles and
associated trailers. Originally, there were three variants, but now there are two planned JLTV
variants: a four-passenger Combat Tactical Vehicle (CTV) and a two-passenger Combat Support
Vehicle (CSV). As planned, JLTVs would be more mechanically reliable, maintainable (with onboard diagnostics), all-terrain mobile, and equipped to link into current and future tactical data
nets. Survivability and strategic and operational transportability by ship and aircraft are also key
JLTV design requirements.
Program Structure4
The JLTV is an Acquisition Category (ACAT) 1D program.5 The Army bears the overall
responsibility for developing the JLTV through its Joint Program Office, which reports to the
Program Executive Office (PEO) for Combat Support & Combat Service Support (PEO
CS&CSS) in Warren, MI, which reports to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition,
1
Alan L. Gropman, “Combat Vehicle Sector Could be Headed for Turbulent Times,” National Defense, April 25,
2008, and James P. Miller, “Race is On to Replace Humvee,” Chicago Tribune, June 21, 2008.
2
Kris Osborn, “DOD’s JLTV Becoming an International Effort,” Defense News, August 4, 2008. Headquarters,
Department of the Army, “Army Truck Program (Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Acquisition Strategy) Report to the
Congress,” June 2010, p. 5.
3
Information in this section is taken from the Army Product Manager, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle website,
http://peocscss.tacom.army.mil/pmJLTV.html, last visited March 2, 2011, and Marine Corps PEO Land Systems Joint
Light Tactical Vehicle website, http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/peolandssystems/jltv.aspx, last visited March 2,
2011, and Tony Bertuca, “PMs: JLTV Still Too Heavy, Changing Schedule and Losing Six-Man Variant,”
InsideDefense.com, February 11, 2011.
4
CRS Report RL34026, Defense Acquisitions: How DOD Acquires Weapon Systems and Recent Efforts to Reform the
Process, by Moshe Schwartz, provides an extensive discussion of the defense acquisition process.
5
The 12th Edition of the Defense Acquisition University Glossary, July 2005, defines an ACAT 1D program as “a
Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) which is estimated by the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition,
Technology, and Logistics) (USD (AT&L)) to require the eventual expenditure for Research, Development, Test, and
Evaluation (RDT&E) of more than $365 million (FY2000 constant dollars) or the procurement of more than $2.19
billion (FY2000 constant dollars).”
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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress
Logistics, and Technology (ASA[AL&T]). Marine participation is centered on a program office
under the supervision of the Program Executive Officer Land Systems (PEO LS) Marine Corps at
Quantico, VA.
Program History
In November 2006, the Joint Chief of Staff’s Joint Requirement Oversight Council (JROC)
approved the JLTV program. On December 22, 2007, the Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics USD (AT&L) signed an Acquisition Decision
Memorandum (ADM) directing the JLTV Program to move from the Concept Refinement Phase
into the Technology Development (TD) Phase of the DOD System Acquisition Process. The
Army and Marines had intended to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Technology
Development Phase as early as October 2007. Concerned with funding adequacy, technical
maturity, and shifting requirements, the Pentagon’s acquisition executive, John Young,
disapproved the issuance of the RFP and directed the Army and Marines to “go back to the
drawing board and develop a robust technology development phase.”6 On February 5, 2008, an
RFP for Technology Development Phase was issued to industry.7 The RFP stated the government
desired to award three contracts for the JLTV Technology Development Phase. The RFP
stipulated that proposals would be due April 7, 2008, and the TD Phase would last 27 months.
Contractors would build four test sub-configurations during the first 15 months, followed by 12
months of testing.
Technology Development Contracts Awarded8
On October 28, 2008, three awards were made for the JLTV TD Phase for a total of $166 million.
The three industry teams were (1) BAE Systems Land and Armaments, Ground Systems
Division, Santa Clara, CA, and NAVISTAR Defense, Warrenville, IL; (2) General Tactical
Vehicles, Sterling Heights, MI—a joint venture between General Dynamics Land Systems and
AM General; and (3) Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Oswego, NY, BAE Systems, Alcoa
Defense, Pittsburgh, PA, and JWF Defense Systems, Johnstown, PA.
JLTV Contracts Protested
On November 7 and November 12, 2008, protests were filed with the Government Accountability
Office (GAO) against the TD contract awards by the Northrop Grumman-Oshkosh team and the
Textron-Boeing-SAIC team alleging there were “unintended discrepancies” in how the
government rated bids in terms of the criteria of systems maturity, logistics, and costs.9 As a result
6
Jason Sherman, “Pentagon Halts JLTV Competition, Directs Revised Strategy,” InsideDefense.com, September 24,
2007.
7
JLTV Request for Proposal, W56HZV-08-R-0210, February 5, 2008, and Marjorie Censer, “JLTV Solicitation Calls
for Three Contractors: Officials Say More are Possible,” InsideDefense.com, February 5, 2008.
8
Unless otherwise noted, information in this section is taken from TACOM’s JLTV Program website,
http://contracting.tacom.army.mil/MAJORSYS/JLTV/jltv.htm, accessed March 2, 2011, and the Marine Corps PEO
Land Systems JLTV website, https://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/peolandsystems/jltv.aspx, accessed March 2, 2011.
9
Marjorie Censer, “Following Northrop’s Lead, Boeing-Textron Team Files JLTV Protest,” InsideDefense.com,
November 12, 2008 and Ann Roosevelt, “Textron-Team Protests Army JLTV Awards,” Defense Daily, November 13,
(continued...)
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of the protest, work on the JLTV program by the three winning teams was suspended. On
February 17, 2009, GAO rejected the JLTV protests and the stop work orders were lifted.
Change in Requirements, Program Schedule, and Variants10
In February 2011, the JLTV Program Office announced the award of the EMD contract would be
delayed until January or February 2012 because the Army changed requirements for the JLTV to
have the same level of under body protection as the Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected AllTerrain Vehicle (M-ATV). DOD had planned to award two contracts for the EMD phase, which
was scheduled to last 24 months,11 but instead opted for a 48-month-long EMD phase before
awarding Production and Deployment contracts in the second quarter of FY2016. In addition, the
Category B variant was eliminated because it proved to be too heavy to meet the required weight
of approximately 15,639 pounds to make it transportable by Army CH-47F and Marine Corps
CH-53K helicopters. Now there will be two variants—a Combat Tactical Vehicle (CTV), which
can transport four passengers and carry 3,500 pounds, and a Combat Support Vehicle (CSV),
which can transport two passengers and carry 5,100 pounds.
Army Issues RFP for EMD Phase12
On January 26, 2012, the Army issued the RFP for the JLTV’s EMD Phase. Industry proposals for
the EMD contract were to have been filed with the Army by March 13, 2012. The RFP stipulated
that up to three EMD contracts could be awarded, and contract award occurred in June 2012.
These contracts will be capped at $65 million per contract. The duration of the EMD performance
period would be 27 months starting with contract award. Vendors would be required to provide 22
prototypes for testing 12 months after contract award, and the target cost for the base vehicle
configuration was $250,000 (FY2011 constant dollars), excluding add-on armor kits and other
kits identified in the RFP.
Revised Acquisition Quantities13
According to DOD’s May 2013 JLTV Selective Acquisition Report (SAR), the Army plans to
procure 49,909 JLTVs from FY2015 to FY2040 and the Marines 5,500 JLTVs from FY2015 to
FY2021. The SAR also notes no JLTVs are planned for under Foreign Military Sales (FMS).
(...continued)
2008; and Daniel Wasserbly, “U.S. GAO Rejects JLTV Protests,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, February 25, 2009, p. 12.
10
Information in this section, unless otherwise noted is taken from a briefing from the Project Manager Joint Combat
Support Systems on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle given on February 7 and 8, 2011 and Tony Bertuca, “PMs: JLTV
Still Too Heavy, Changing Schedule and Losing Six-Man Variant,” InsideDefense.com, February 11, 2011.
11
DOD Briefing: “JLTV EMD Industry Day,” April 26, 2010.
12
Solicitation, Offer, and Award, Number W56HZV-11-R-0329, U.S. Army Contracting Command, January 26, 2012.
13
Department of Defense Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), May 21, 2013.
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Foreign Participation in JLTV Program
As previously noted, the JLTV SAR indicates that no Foreign Military Sales are currently planned
for JLTV, despite previous program participation from Australia and interest from Canada, Great
Britain, and Israel. When the JLTV Joint Program Office (JPO) was asked to clarify foreign
participation in the JLTV program, the following response was provided:
International cooperation in acquisition programs can substantially improve U.S. operations,
and the JLTV program is no different. This important work increases military effectiveness
by improving interoperability and partnership with our allies, reducing overall acquisition
costs, and strengthening key relationships. Australia did participate in the Technology
Demonstration phase of the JLTV program, but no international partners are currently and
actively participating in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase.
International participation or purchase remains possible and an area JPO JLTV would pursue
as appropriate with interested allies and partners.14
This suggests there is no longer any foreign participation in the JLTV program. Congress might
wish to examine why these countries are no longer interested in the JLTV program, as foreign
participation in these types of programs not only increases interoperability but can also benefit
these programs from a cost perspective.
Program Activities
Marines Might Acquire JLTVs over a Longer Period15
Reports suggest that the Marines remain committed to acquiring 5,500 JLTVs, particularly in
light of the fact that procurement of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)16 will not begin until
FY2020, thereby providing a degree of funding flexibility. The Marines had originally intended to
procure their JLTVs up front and are now supposedly working with the Army to determine how
many JLTVs each service can buy per year.
Army Delays Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Report17
The Army will reportedly delay its Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Strategy Report to Congress by
almost a year, citing DOD’s ongoing Strategic Choices and Management Review possibly
creating uncertainty about the future of ground forces. Army leadership anticipates providing the
Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Strategy to Congress by March 31, 2014. Congress is reportedly
14
E-mail
The Marines have reportedly decided to cancel their HMMWV upgrade program and will instead
invest the funds in the JLTV program.17 The Marines plan to reprogram $53 million of about $57
million requested for the FY2015 HMMWV Sustainment Modification Initiative into the JLTV
program. The remaining $4 million dollars in the HMMWV upgrade program will be used to
modify a selected number of HMMWVs not being replaced by JLTVs, and these HMMWVs are
expected to remain in service until 2030.
14
Email to CRS from JLTV JPO, June 11, 2013.
Lee Hudson, “Marines Committed to Buying 5,500 JLTVs, May Purchase Over a Longer Period,”
InsideDefense.com, October 25, 2013.
16
For additional information on the Amphibious Combat Vehicle see CRS Report R42723, Marine Corps Amphibious
Combat Vehicle (ACV) and Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC): Background and Issues for Congress, by Andrew
Feickert.
17
Information in this section is taken from Christopher J. Castelli, “Citing Strategic Choices Review, Army Delays
Tactical Vehicle ReportLee Hudson, “Marines Cancel Humvee Upgrade Program, Invest Funds in
JLTV,” InsideDefense.com, May 24, 2013July 25, 2014.
15
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concerned that Army reductions in tactical wheeled vehicles requirements could have an adverse
impact on readiness as well as the U.S. defense industrial base.
A Change to JLTV Competitors18
Based on what is viewed as increased support by Congress and DOD, as well as changes to the
JLTV program schedule, requirements, and cost, additional teams submitted bids on March 27,
2012, for the EMD phase contract. The six teams that submitted bids were
•
AM General;
•
a Lockheed Martin-led team including BAE Systems;
•
Oshkosh;
•
Navistar;
•
General Tactical Vehicles (a joint venture between AM General and General
Dynamics Land Systems); and
•
a BAE Systems-led team including Northrop Grumman.
While increased competition for the EMD contracts could result lower per unit costs for the JLTV,
one defense analyst suggests it is also indicative of fewer opportunities for defense industry to
design and manufacture new Army ground vehicles in the future.
JLTV EMD Contracts Awarded
On August 22, 2012, the Army announced the award of three firm-fixed price JLTV EMD
contracts totaling approximately $185 million.19 The three companies awarded the EMD contracts
were AM General, LLC (South Bend, IN); Lockheed Martin Corporation (Grand Prairie, TX);
and Oshkosh Corporation (Oshkosh, WI). The period of performance is for 27 months, with each
contractor receiving initial funding between $28 million to $36 million per contractor, with the
balance of funding up to the full contract amount being provided in FY2013 and FY2014. In 12
months, each team will be required to deliver 22 full-up prototypes and contractor support for a
14-month comprehensive government testing program, which will include blast, automotive, and
user evaluation testing. The overall EMD Phase is scheduled to last 33 months. According to the
Army, “the EMD Phase is designed to test and prepare the next-generation vehicles for a Limited
User Test, Capabilities Production Document and Milestone C procurement decision in FY
2015.”20
Unsuccessful bidders, Navistar Defense, BAE Systems, and General Tactical Vehicles (a team of
General Dynamics and AM General), are permitted to continue developing JLTV candidate
vehicles at their own risk and expense, if they notify the government within 30 days of the EMD
18
contract award.21 Reports suggest some bidders might consider continuing development of JLTV
candidates for submission for production source selection.22
18
Information in this section is taken from Kate Brannen, “Competition Upended in U.S. JLTV Program,” Army Times,
March 31, 2012.
19
Information in this section is from U.S. Army Message, “Army Awards Three Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
Engineering & Manufacturing Development Phase Contracts,” Warren, Michigan, August 22, 2012.
20
Kris Osborn, Office of the Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, “JLTV Program
Moves into EMD Phase,” Army News Service, October 18, 2012.
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contract award.21 Reports suggest some bidders might consider continuing development of JLTV
candidates for submission for production source selection.22
21
Tony Bertuca, “Three JLTV Winners Announced; Loosing Companies Still May Have a Shot,” InsideDefense.com,
(continued...)
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Army Releases JLTV Market Survey23
On March 26, 2013, the Army released a market survey intended to gauge the level of industry
interest and ability to compete for a potential JLTV contract. The intent is to see what non-EMD
vendors might be interested in competing for the final contract award, thereby possibly increasing
competition and perhaps driving down costs. It is not known if there will be any non-EMD
bidders, and Federal Acquisition Regulations prohibit the Army from disclosing the name of
interested parties.
DOD Selected Acquisition Report (SAR)24
DOD’s May 2013 JLTV SAR has established the JLTV per-unit cost at about $400,000 per
vehicle, which contrasts with service leaders’ claims that JLTV per-unit cost would be around
$250,000 per vehicle. The SAR further notes that the JLTV’s total development and acquisition
cost is expected to be almost $23 billion in 2012 dollars. With a planned JLTV procurement of
55,000 vehicles, DOD estimates an average per unit cost of $399,000 per vehicle and a program
acquisition cost of $415,000 per vehicle. In terms of future year dollars, the unit cost is projected
to reach $550,000 with a total development and acquisition cost in excess of $31 billion. The
Army, in defense of its $250,000 per-unit cost estimate, noted the SAR’s cost estimates include
associated vehicle hardware and other costs, such as add-on armor, fielding, new equipment
training, spare parts, and managerial and technical personnel associated with the vehicle program.
JLTV Testing Begins25
On September 4, 2013, Army officials announced that full-pace, full-scope testing of the JLTV
began on September 3 and would last for 14 months. Each of the three vendors delivered 22
vehicles and 6 trailers for testing to three sites: Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; Yuma, AZ; and
Redstone Arsenal, AL. The Army plans to start a source-selection evaluation in early 2015 and
select a single vendor by July 2015. Once the single vendor is selected, 2,000 vehicles will be
produced and tested for three years. The first Army brigade will be equipped with JLTVs by 2018
and a total of 49,000 JLTVs will be produced for the Army and 5,500 for the Marines with
production ending sometime in the 2030s.
21
Tony Bertuca, “Three JLTV Winners Announced; Loosing Companies Still May Have a Shot,” InsideDefense.com,(...continued)
August 23, 2012.
22
Ibid.
23
Information in this section is taken from Tony Bertuca, “Army Prepares for Final Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
Program Phase,” InsideDefense.com, March 29, 2013.
24
Information in this section is taken from Department of Defense Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) Joint Light
Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), May 21, 2013, and Sebastian Sprenger, “JLTV Cost Pegged at $400,000 in Program’s First
Acquisition Report,” InsideDefense.com, May 30, 2013.
25
Information in this section is from David Vergun, “JLTV Testing Begins, Program on Schedule, Budget,” Army
News Service, September 5, 2013.
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Projected FY2015 Program Activities
Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) efforts and related testing are planned to be
completed in preparation for a Milestone C (Production and Deployment Phase Approval)
decision in the fourth quarter of FY2015. If Milestone C is approved, low rate initial production
(LRIP) is planned to begin.
Budgetary Issues
FY2014 JLTV Budget Request26
The FY2014 Budget Request for JLTV was $84.2 million for Army Research, Development, Test
and Evaluation (RDT&E) and $50.4 million for Marine Corps RDT&E, for a program total of
$134.6 million.
National Defense Authorization Act for FY2014 (P.L. 113-66)27
The FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 113-66) recommends fully funding the
Army and Marines FY2014 JLTV Budget Request.
Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2014 (P.L. 113-76)28
The Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2014 recommends fully funding the Army and
Marines FY2014 JLTV Budget Request.
Draft RFP for JLTV Full-Rate Production Phase and DOD’s
Program Assessment26
On June 25, 2014, the Army released a draft RFP for the JLTV’s Full-Rate Production phase. The
Army and Marines plan to select a contract winner in July 2015 at a total projected program cost
of $31 billion by 2040. The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) conducted an interim
assessment of the JLTV program and found the JLTV is likely to meet all eight key performance
parameters (KPPs)—which are deemed “critical or essential” to JLTV operational capabilities—
and are on track to meet two of four key system attributes (KSAs).27 The two KSAs that OSD has
yet to assess are average unit manufacturing cost and ownership cost.28
Budgetary Issues
FY2015 President’s Budget Request29
The President’s FY2015 budget request for the JLTV is as follows:
Table 1. FY2015 JLTV Budget Request
FY2015
$ Millions
Quantity
RDT&E—Army
45.7
—
RDT&E—Marines
11.5
—
Procurement—Army
164.6
176
7.5
7
Procurement—Marines
26
Information in this section is taken from the Department of Defense FY2014 Program Acquisition Costs by Weapon
System, February 2013.
27
P.L. 113-66, National Defense Authorization Act of FY2014, December 26, 2013.
28
H.R. 3547, Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2014, (P.L. 113-76), January 17, 2014, Division C – Department
of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014.
29
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer, United States Department of
Defense Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Request, Program Acquisition Cost by Weapon System, March 2014, p. 3-2.
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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress
FY2015
Total
$ Millions
Quantity
229.3
183
Source: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer, United States
Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Request, Program Acquisition Cost by Weapon System, March
2014, p. 3-2.
Potential Issue for Congress
Revised Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Requirements
While it is not expected that the Army’s JLTV requirements will vary greatly under the Army’s
forthcoming study of tactical wheeled vehicle requirements, Congress might opt to review revised
JLTV requirements. In June 2013, the Army announced it would eliminate 12 BCTs and an
unspecified number of headquarters and support units,30 and these cuts should be reflected in the
Army’s soon-to-be-released study. It has also been reported that based on downsizing, the Army
plans to reduce its overall tactical wheeled vehicle fleet by 60,000 vehicles. Since these
announcements, the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review and FY2015 President’s budget request
suggest additional Army and Marine force structure could be cut, thereby likely further
decreasing JLTV requirements. In this regard, Congress could review proposed Army and Marine
force structure cuts to determine if overall service JLTV requirements also decrease or if the
services maintain their current JLTV requirements and instead opt to field JLTVs to other units
that were not originally designated to receive JLTVs. These potential force structure cuts could
have an appreciable impact on overall JLTV requirements and the overall program price tag as
well.
Author Contact Information
Andrew Feickert
Specialist in Military Ground Forces
afeickert@crs.loc.gov, 7-7673
30
For additional information on Army downsizing see CRS Report R42493, Army Drawdown and Restructuring:
Background and Issues for Congress, by Andrew Feickert.
Congressional Research Service
8229.3
183
Procurement—Marines
Total
Source: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer, United States
Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Request, Program Acquisition Cost by Weapon System, March
2014, p. 3-2.
26
Information in this section is taken from Tony Bertuca, “Contractors Tout JLTV Prototypes as Army, Marine Corps
Eye Next Phase,” InsideDefense.com, July 18, 2014, and Jason Sherman, “OSD’s Interim JLTV Assessment Finds
Program On Track to Meet Objectives,” InsideDefense.com, July 2, 2014.
27
Jason Sherman, “OSD’s Interim JLTV Assessment Finds Program On Track to Meet Objectives,”
InsideDefense.com, July 2, 2014.
28
Ibid.
29
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer, United States Department of
Defense Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Request, Program Acquisition Cost by Weapon System, March 2014, p. 3-2.
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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress
H.R. 4435, National Defense Authorization Act for FY201530
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
The budget request contained $45.7 million in PE 65812A, and $11.5 million in PE 65812M
to complete the engineering and manufacturing development phase of the Joint Light
Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. The budget request also contained $164.6 million in Other
Procurement, Army, and $7.5 million in Procurement, Marine Corps for the procurement of
183 low-rate initial production JLTVs.
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) will complement the current fleet of Up-Armor high
mobility, multi-purpose wheeled vehicles and would provide improved protection, payload,
and performance to the Army’s and the Marine Corps’ light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets.
The committee notes the budget request would mark the first year of procurement for JLTV,
and would also complete limited user testing. The committee supports the JLTV program
and recognizes that the program remains on schedule despite the impacts resulting from the
Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public Law 112–25), and understands a milestone C decision is
scheduled for June 2015.
The committee notes that JLTV does not have any significant technology issues that would
preclude development. Therefore, the committee expects the program to remain on schedule.
The committee notes the JLTV program is the only new tactical wheeled vehicle
modernization program for the foreseeable future, and the committee believes the JLTV
program will be critical for maintaining the viability of the industrial base.
The committee recommends $45.7 million in PE 65812A, $11.5 million in PE 65812M, and
elsewhere in this report, $164.6 million in Other Procurement, Army, and $7.5 million in
Procurement, Marine Corps, the full amount of the total request, for the JLTV program.31
S. 2410, National Defense Authorization Act for FY201532
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
The budget request included $45.7 million in PE 65812A, $11.5 million in PE 65812M,
$164.6 million in Other Procurement, Army, and $7.5 million in Procurement, Marine Corps
for research, development, and low rate initial production (LRIP) of the Joint Light Tactical
Vehicle (JLTV). The committee notes that, according to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army,
General John Campbell, JLTV is the centerpiece of the Army’s tactical wheeled vehicle
modernization strategy. The committee further notes that fiscal year 2015 is a critically
important year for this program. Over the last 3 years, the joint program office has been
managing the development and testing of prototype vehicles provided by three competing
tactical vehicle vendor teams. This competitive prototyping acquisition strategy is consistent
with the requirements of the Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 (Public Law
111–23) and in 2015 will result in the selection of a single vendor for award of a LRIP
30
Report 113-446, Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, May 13,
2014, p. 53.
31
Ibid.
32
Report 113-176, Carl Levin National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, June 2, 2014, p. 29.
Congressional Research Service
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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress
contract for up to 183 Army and Marine Corps vehicles. The committee recommends full
funding as requested for JLTV and expects the program to remain on schedule for its
Milestone C decision in June 2015.33
H.R. 4870, Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, 201534
The House and Senate recommended fully funding the Administration’s FY2015 budget request
for both JLTV RDT&E and Procurement.
Potential Issue for Congress
Revised Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Requirements
While it is not expected that the Army’s JLTV requirements will vary greatly under the Army’s
study of tactical wheeled vehicle requirements, Congress might opt to review revised JLTV
requirements. In June 2013, the Army announced it would eliminate 12 BCTs and an unspecified
number of headquarters and support units,35 and these cuts should be reflected in the Army’s
soon-to-be-released study. It has also been reported that based on downsizing, the Army plans to
reduce its overall tactical wheeled vehicle fleet by 60,000 vehicles. Since these announcements,
the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review and FY2015 President’s budget request suggest additional
Army and Marine force structure could be cut, thereby likely further decreasing JLTV
requirements. In this regard, Congress could review proposed Army and Marine force structure
cuts to determine if overall service JLTV requirements have also decreased proportionally. If
overall JLTV requirements do not change under reduced force structures, the services could
instead opt to field JLTVs to other units that were not originally designated to receive JLTVs.
These potential force structure cuts could have an appreciable impact on overall JLTV
requirements and the overall program price tag as well.
Author Contact Information
Andrew Feickert
Specialist in Military Ground Forces
afeickert@crs.loc.gov, 7-7673
33
Ibid.
Report 113-211, Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, 2015, July 17, 2014.
35
For additional information on Army downsizing see CRS Report R42493, Army Drawdown and Restructuring:
Background and Issues for Congress, by Andrew Feickert.
34
Congressional Research Service
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