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Updated March 13, 2023
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)
Background
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of
JLTV Combat Tactical Vehicle (CTV)
Vehicles (FoV) is an Army-led, joint-service program
Figure 1. JLTV Combat Tactical Vehicle Variant
designed to replace a portion of each service’s light tactical
(CTV)
wheeled vehicle fleets. The JLTV FoV consists of two
variants: the four-seat Combat Tactical Vehicle (CTV)
(Figure 1) and the two-seat Combat Support Vehicle (CSV)
(Figure 2). The CTV is to support the General Purpose,
Heavy Gun Carrier and Close Combat Weapon Carrier
missions. The CSV is to support the Utility/Shelter Carrier
mission. The JLTV is transportable by a range of lift assets,
including rotary-wing aircraft. Its maneuverability enables
activities across the spectrum of terrain, including urban
areas, while providing organic and supplemental armor
against direct fire and improvised explosive device threats.
Program Status
The JLTV is currently being produced by Oshkosh
Defense, headquartered in Oshkosh, WI. In August 2015,
the Army awarded Oshkosh a $6.7 billion low-rate initial
Source: https://asc.army.mil/web/portfolio-item/cs-css-joint-light-
production (LRIP) contract to procure the initial 16,901
tactical-vehicle/, accessed December 30, 2020.
vehicles for the Army and Marines. In June 2019, the
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisitions, Logistics,
JLTV Combat Support Vehicle (CSV)
and Technology) approved Army JLTV full-rate production
Figure 2. JLTV Combat Support Vehicle Variant
(FRP). The Army planned for a follow-on full-rate
(CSV)
production contract awarded to a single vendor in the fourth
quarter of FY2022. It was reportedly to be a competitive
five-year contract with five one-year options for about
30,000 JLTVs and 10,000 JLTV trailers. The Army began
fielding LRIP JLTVs to units in April 2019, and Marine
Corps units received their first LRIP JLTVs in February
2019.
Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) is a programmatic
decision made when manufacturing development is completed
and there is an ability to produce a small-quantity set of
articles. It also establishes an initial production base and sets
the stage for a gradual increase in production rate to allow for
Ful -Rate Production (FRP) upon completion of Operational
Test and Evaluation (OT&E).
Source: https://asc.army.mil/web/portfolio-item/cs-css-joint-light-
Full-Rate Production (FRP) is a decision made that allows
tactical-vehicle/, accessed December 30, 2020.
for government contracting for economic production
quantities fol owing stabilization of the system design and
validation of the production process.
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)
FY2024 Budgetary Information
properly review the financial, technical and manufacturing
Table 1. FY2024 DOD JLTV Budget Request
capabilities offered to select the best value and lowest risk
solution to deliver the JLTV.”
Total
Total Request
Request
Potential Issue for Congress
Funding Category
($M)
(Qty.)
Future of JLTV Procurement
RDT&E USA
$27.2
—
The Army’s current modernization strategy focuses on six
RDT&E USMC
$2.6
—
modernization priorities, and the JLTV is not included in
Procurement USA
$839.4
2,598
those priorities. The Army announced in January 2022 that
Procurement USAF
$57.8
114
under the 2030 Force Design Initiative, it would either
redesignate existing divisions or create new divisions into
Procurement USN
$24.2
—
five new types of divisions. The Army announced in May
Procurement USMC
$232.5
396
2022 that it would create a new Alaska-based division, the
Source: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
11th Airborne Division, by activating new units and
(Comptrol er)/Chief Financial Officer, Program Acquisition Cost by
reconfiguring two Alaska-based Infantry Brigade Combat
Weapon System: United States Department of Defense Fiscal Year
Teams (IBCTs). With the creation of new units such as
2024 Budget Request, March 2023, p. 3-2.
Security Forces Assistance Brigades (SFABs) and Multi-
Notes: RDT&E = Research, Development, Test & Evaluation; $M =
Domain Task Forces (MDTFs), development of new
U.S. dollars in mil ions; Qty. = FY2024 procurement quantities.
division types, and a new division in Alaska, it is possible
Foreign Military Sales
the Army’s requirement for JLTVs could change
appreciably.
According to Oshkosh, as of January 3, 2023, the company
had JLTV orders from Romania, Lithuania, North
With the Marine Corps downsizing in accordance with its
Macedonia, Brazil, and Montenegro. Other reports note that
Force Design 2030 initiative and the adoption of an
the United Kingdom, Slovenia, and Belgium have also
enhanced expeditionary posture (possibly requiring fewer
placed orders for the JLTV.
JLTVs), original JLTV procurement plans for both the
JLTV Follow-On Contract
Army and Marine Corps might no longer be accurate.
Despite the Army’s intent to lower costs by awarding the
The Army originally planned to award a follow-on full-rate
follow-on production contract to AM General, slowing
JLTV production contract to a single vendor in the fourth
production rates and extended procurement timelines could
quarter of FY2022. Reportedly, the Army pushed back the
act to increase costs if current JLTV requirements are no
due date for companies to bid on the JLTV follow-on
longer valid. In addition, different versions of the JLTV
contract based on requests from industry. The Army had
produced by AM General might result in additional
planned to award the single vendor contract in December
operations and maintenance considerations and costs that
2022. Because the Army owns the technical data for the
can result from a mixed fleet of vehicles. Taken
JLTV, it was able to conduct a competition to determine if
collectively, these issues might merit DOD and
other vendors could build the vehicle at a lower price than
policymakers examining the future of JLTV procurement.
Oshkosh.
JLTV Follow-On Contract Awarded to
Marine Corps Reexamining JLTV’s Role
AM General
According to a February 24, 2023, Inside Defense article,
“the Marine Corps is evaluating its fleet of ground vehicles
Reportedly, on February 9, 2023, the Army awarded the
and considering an addition to the JLTV family as it seeks a
JLTV follow-on production contract, valued at more than
land platform lighter than the JLTV but more robust than
$8 billion, to AM General instead of Oshkosh. The contract
the Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle.” The article further states,
reportedly included five base ordering years and five one-
“right now, as we look at our ground mobility systems, we
year optional ordering periods for both U.S. and foreign
have JLTV which is a relatively small vehicle. But for the
military sales. According to the provisions of the contract,
Marine Corps, we are looking to get lighter and lighter and
AM General is to produce up to 20,682 JLTVs and up to
it [JLTV] is a fairly heavy vehicle.” The Marines are also
9,883 trailers. AM General-produced JLTVs reportedly are
using JLTVs in other roles, such as the Marine Air Defense
to have additional capabilities “such as an automated
Integrated Systems Increment One system, as well as the
guided vehicle system, radio frequency identification, and
Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System
Global Positioning System (GPS) traceability.” In addition,
(NMESIS), which features a modified JLTV combined with
the vehicles are also to feature “an updated architecture, as
a medium-range cruise missile. In concert with force
well as enhanced corrosion protection and improved fuel
efficiency.”
structure changes associated with the Marines’ Force
The new JLTVs are reportedly to be produced
at AM General’s Mishawaka,
Design 2030 initiative, the Marines’ reexamination of the
IN, manufacturing facility,
JLTV’s role could potentially change the overall JLTV
with deliveries expected to begin in about 17 months.
requirement. Given potential programmatic changes if the
Oshkosh Protests JLTV Follow-On
Marines change their JLTV requirement, policymakers
Contract Award
might decide to review the Marines’ intentions regarding
Reportedly, on March 5, 2023, Oshkosh submitted a protest
the JLTV.
of the award of the JLTV follow-on contract to the
Government Accountability Office (GAO). Oshkosh
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
reportedly noted, “the government’s evaluation did not
IF11729
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF11729 · VERSION 8 · UPDATED