Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV):
Background and Issues for Congress
Andrew Feickert
Specialist in Military Ground Forces
June 19, 2013
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
RS22942
CRS Report for Congress
Pr
epared for Members and Committees of Congress
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 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).
The FY2014 Budget Request for JLTVs is $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. The House and Senate Armed Services Committees recommended fully funding
the Administration’s FY2014 JLTV Budget Request. The House Appropriations Committee
recommended fully funding the Army’s FY2014 JLTV Budget Request but recommended a $1.3
million cut to the Marines’ Budget Request citing program management growth.
Potential issues for Congress include a possible examination of why there is no longer any
foreign interest in the JLTV program and how the Army’s study to revise overall tactical wheeled
vehicle requirements might affect 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 Defer JLTV Acquisition Until Late 2020s .................................................. 4
January 26, 2012, Administration Major Strategic and Budget Decision Briefings .................. 5
Revised Army Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Requirements ........................................................... 5
Army Delays Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Report ........................................................................ 5
A Change to JLTV Competitors................................................................................................. 6
JLTV EMD Contracts Awarded ................................................................................................. 6
JLTV Program After the EMD Phase ........................................................................................ 7
Army Releases JLTV Market Survey ........................................................................................ 7
DOD Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) ................................................................................. 7
Budgetary Issues .............................................................................................................................. 8
FY2013 JLTV Budget Request .................................................................................................. 8
H.R. 4310, National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013 .................................................... 8
S. 3254, National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013 ........................................................ 8
H.Rept. 112-705, Conference Report, National Defense Authorization Act for
FY2013 ................................................................................................................................... 8
FY2013 Defense Appropriations Bill ........................................................................................ 8
FY2014 JLTV Budget Request .................................................................................................. 9
H.R. 1960, National Defense Authorization Act for FY2014 .................................................... 9
Senate Version, National Defense Authorization Act for FY2014 ............................................ 9
Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, 2014 .................................................................... 9
Potential Issues for Congress ........................................................................................................... 9
Why Is there No Longer any Foreign Participation in the JLTV Program? .............................. 9
Army’s Revised Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Requirements ....................................................... 10
Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 10
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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.â€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 on-
board 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,â€
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).â€
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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.â€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 TDP 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 All-
Terrain 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 Defer JLTV Acquisition Until Late 2020s15
Marine leaders testified to the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land
Forces on November 16, 2011, if significant budget cuts are enacted due to sequestration of the
defense budget under the provisions of the Budget Control Act of 2011, P.L. 112-25, the Marines
would defer acquisition of the JLTV until the late 2020s. The Marines would instead develop and
procure the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) before acquiring any JLTVs. Experts suggest if
the Marines defer until the late 2020s, the per vehicle cost for the Army’s JLTVs—which it hopes
to begin procuring in 2015—would increase and possibly endanger the overall program.
14 E-mail to CRS from JLTV JPO, June 11, 2013.
15 Information in this section is taken from Roxana Tiron and Brendan McGarry, “Marines May Delay Light Combat
Vehicles Program to Late 2020s,†Bloomberg.com, November 6, 2011, and Michael Hoffman, “Cuts Could Delay U.S.
Marines’ JLTV,†Defense News, November 21, 2011.
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January 26, 2012, Administration Major Strategic and Budget
Decision Briefings16
On January 26, 2012, senior DOD leadership unveiled a new defense strategy, based on a review
of the current defense strategy and budgetary constraints. This new strategy envisions among
other things:
• a smaller, leaner military that is agile, flexible, rapidly deployable, and
technologically advanced; and
• rebalancing global posture and presence, emphasizing where potential problems
are likely to arise, to Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
The Administration’s new strategy and budget priorities specifically reference the JLTV, noting
DOD intends to “protect†the JLTV program and HMMWV modernization would be terminated
so that resources could be focused on the JLTV. These decisions are viewed by many as highly
supportive of the JLTV program and represent a commitment to developing and fielding the
JLTV.
Revised Army Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Requirements17
Given the Administration’s decision to decrease the Active Army by 80,000 soldiers and eliminate
at least eight Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs), the Army is planning to reduce its tactical wheeled
vehicle fleet. While details of this study have not been publically released, it was reported the
Army projects it will reduce its overall tactical wheeled vehicle fleet by more than 60,000
vehicles. It is not yet known what the study will recommend in terms of numbers and types of
JLTVs the Army will require in the future, but it can be assumed—based on the aforementioned
DOD budgetary commitment to the JLTV—that required JLTV quantities will not be reduced
significantly and might possibly increase due to de-emphasis on HMMWV modernization.
Army Delays Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Report18
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
16 Information in this section is taken from U.S. Department of Defense News Transcript, “Major Budget Decisions
Briefing from the Pentagon,†presented by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of
Staff General Martin E. Dempsey, January 26, 2012; U.S. Department of Defense News Transcript, “Major Budget
Decisions Briefing from the Pentagon,†presented by Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter and Vice
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral James A. Winnefeld Jr., January 26, 2012; U.S. Department of Defense
Publication, Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense, January 2012; and U.S.
Department of Defense Publication, “Defense Budget Priorities and Choices,†January 2012.
17 Tony Bertuca, “Army Preps for Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Cuts, Readies Humvee for Sustainment,â€
InsideDefense.com, February 24, 2012 and “Ground Services Targeting Cut of More Than 60,000 Tactical Wheeled
Vehicles, InsideDefense.com, April 20, 2012.
18 Information in this section is taken from Christopher J. Castelli, “Citing Strategic Choices Review, Army Delays
Tactical Vehicle Report,†InsideDefense.com, May 24, 2013.
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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 Competitors19
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.20 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.â€21
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
19 Information in this section is taken from Kate Brannen, “Competition Upended in U.S. JLTV Program,†Army Times,
March 31, 2012.
20 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.
21 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.22 Reports suggest some bidders might consider continuing development of JLTV
candidates for submission for production source selection.23
JLTV Program After the EMD Phase24
According to the Army, the goal at the end of the EMD Phase is for the Army and Marines to
down-select to a single vendor and move into Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) by 2015.
Current plans then call for three years of LRIP, followed by five years of full rate production
resulting in incremental delivery of the JLTV.
Army Releases JLTV Market Survey25
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)26
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.
22 Tony Bertuca, “Three JLTV Winners Announced; Loosing Companies Still May Have a Shot,†InsideDefense.com,
August 23, 2012.
23 Ibid.
24 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.
25 Information in this section is taken from Tony Bertuca, “Army Prepares for Final Joint Light Tactical Vehicle
Program Phase,†InsideDefense.com, March 29, 2013.
26 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.
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Budgetary Issues
FY2013 JLTV Budget Request27
The FY2013 Budget Request for JLTVs is $72.3 million for Army Research, Development, Test
and Evaluation (RDT&E) and $44.5 million for Marine Corps RDT&E, for a program total of
$116.8 million.
H.R. 4310, National Defense Authorization Act for FY201328
The House Armed Services Committee recommended fully funding the Administration’s FY2013
Budget Request for the JLTV program.
S. 3254, National Defense Authorization Act for FY201329
The Senate Armed Services Committee recommended fully funding the Administration’s FY2013
Budget Request for the JLTV program.
H.Rept. 112-705, Conference Report, National Defense
Authorization Act for FY201330
Committee conferees recommended fully funding the Administration’s FY2013 Budget Request
for the JLTV program.
FY2013 Defense Appropriations Bill31
The House Appropriations Committee has recommended fully funding the Administration’s
FY2013 Budget Request for the JLTV program.
The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended cutting $5.9 million from the FY2013
Budget Request due to two-month contract award delay.
27 United States Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Request Program Acquisition Costs by Weapon
System, February 2012, p. 3-2.
28 H.R. 4310, National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013, Rules Committee Print 112-22, May 10, 2012.
29 S. 3254 (Report No. 112-173), National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013, June 4, 2012.
30 H.Rept. 112-705, Conference Report, National Defense Authorization Act for FY2013, dated December 18, 2012.
31 Press Release, “House Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2013 Defense Appropriations Bill, May 7,
2012 and Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, 2013, Report 112-196, August 2, 2012, p. 175.
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FY2014 JLTV Budget Request32
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.
H.R. 1960, National Defense Authorization Act for FY201433
The chairman’s mark of the FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1960)
recommends fully funding the Army and Marines FY2014 JLTV Budget Request.34
Senate Version, National Defense Authorization Act for FY201435
The Senate Armed Services Committee recommended fully funding the Administration’s FY2014
Budget Request for the JLTV program.
Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, 201436
The House Appropriations Committee recommended fully funding the Army’s FY2014 JLTV
Budget Request but recommended decreasing the Marines’ FY2014 Budget Request by $1.3
million citing “program management growth.â€37
Potential Issues for Congress
Why Is there No Longer any Foreign Participation in the
JLTV Program?
With Australia no longer participating in the JLTV program and an apparent lack of interest by
Great Britain, Canada, and Israel, the prospects for foreign military sales of the JLTV seem
discouraging. Congress might wish to explore with DOD the reasons behind these countries’
decision to walk away from the JLTV program. Were overall per-vehicle costs too high, did the
JLTV prototypes not meet their respective requirements, or are there other reasons why these
countries are no longer interested in the JLTV? Beyond the JLTV program, there might be
underlying issues impacting potential future foreign participation in U.S. programs.
32 Information in this section is taken from the Department of Defense FY 2014 Program Acquisition Costs by Weapon
System, February 2013.
33 H.R. 1960—FY2014 National Defense Authorization Bill, Chairman’s Mark, June 5, 2013.
34 Ibid., pp. 343, 345.
35 Senate Armed Services Committee, “Senate Committee on Armed Services Completes Markup of the National
defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014,†June 14, 2013.
36 Report 113-xxx, Report of the Committee on Appropriations, Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, 2014, June
7, 2013.
37 Ibid., p. 213 and 218.
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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress
Army’s 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
Army JLTV requirements. It has been suggested the Army could eliminate as many as 13
BCTs38—5 more than the DOD-mandated 8 BCTs to be cut under FY2013 budget guidelines—
and an unspecified number of headquarters and support units 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. With the
possible restructuring of Army BCTs, it is also possible there might be additional requirements
for different JLTV variants and these requirements should also be reflected in the Army’s study.
In addition, the Army’s study might also be scrutinized to ensure that currently planned JLTV
production matches the Army’s plans to downsize and reorganize its forces.
Author Contact Information
Andrew Feickert
Specialist in Military Ground Forces
afeickert@crs.loc.gov, 7-7673
38 Reporter’s Notebook, “Drop to 32 Brigades,†Defense News, February 27, 2012, p. 14.
Congressional Research Service
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