Background
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles (FoV) is an Army-led, joint-service program designed to replace a portion of each service's light tactical 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
In August 2015, the Army awarded Oshkosh Defense a $6.7 billion low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract to procure the initial 16,901 vehicles for the Army and Marines. In June 2019, the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisitions, Logistics, and Technology) approved Army JLTV full-rate production (FRP). The Army planned for a follow-on full-rate 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.
JLTV Combat Tactical Vehicle (CTV)
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Source: https://asc.army.mil/web/portfolio-item/cs-css-joint-light-tactical-vehicle/, accessed December 30, 2020. |
JLTV Combat Support Vehicle (CSV)
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Source: https://asc.army.mil/web/portfolio-item/cs-css-joint-light-tactical-vehicle/, accessed December 30, 2020. |
Foreign Military Sales
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which coordinates foreign military sales, there are seven foreign JLTV customers, including the United Kingdom, Israel, Romania, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Montenegro.
JLTV Follow-On Contract
The Army originally planned to award a follow-on full-rate JLTV production contract to a single vendor in the fourth quarter of FY2022. Reportedly, the Army pushed back the due date for companies to bid on the JLTV follow-on contract based on requests from industry. The Army had planned to award the single vendor contract in December 2022. Because the Army owns the technical data for the JLTV, it was able to conduct a competition to determine if other vendors could build the vehicle at a lower price than Oshkosh.
JLTV Follow-On Contract Awarded to AM General
Reportedly, on February 9, 2023, the Army awarded the JLTV follow-on production contract, valued at more than $8 billion, to AM General instead of Oshkosh. The contract reportedly included five base ordering years and five one-year optional ordering periods for both U.S. and foreign military sales. According to the provisions of the contract, AM General is to produce up to 20,682 JLTVs and up to 9,883 trailers. AM General-produced JLTVs reportedly are to have additional capabilities "such as an automated guided vehicle system, radio frequency identification, and Global Positioning System (GPS) traceability." In addition, the vehicles are also to feature "an updated architecture, as well as enhanced corrosion protection and improved fuel efficiency." The new JLTVs are reportedly to be produced at AM General's Mishawaka, IN, manufacturing facility, with deliveries expected to begin in about 17 months.
Delivery of AM General's First JLTVs Delayed
Reportedly, AM General's initial delivery of JLTVs to the Army has been delayed by six months due to challenges starting up a new production line. It was further noted that "in addition to normal start of production headwinds, the transition from an incumbent vendor has presented unique challenges for AM General related to sourcing directed parts, intellectual property, tooling, and part qualification." Despite the six-month delay, a program spokesman reportedly stated that "the JLTV program is fully prepared to execute the FY2025 budget position and will continue to meet all its program, fielding, and integration requirements while delivering an estimated $1 billion in savings over the life of the contract."
JLTV Program Cancelled?
On May 1, 2025, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy A. George published "Letter to the Force: Army Transformation Initiative." This letter was in response to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's April 30, 2025, memorandum for senior Pentagon leadership titled "Army Transformation and Acquisition Reform." The Army Transformation Initiative directive stated, among other things, that the Army "will cancel procurement of outdated crewed attack aircraft such as the AH-64D [and] excess ground vehicles like the HMMWV [High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled vehicle] and JLTV."
According to a May 2, 2025, AM General press release,
At this time, AM General has backlog for deliveries of vehicles through 2027 and AM General remains committed to meeting our contractual delivery requirements. As we work to understand the significance of the DoD's recent communications, we will continue to operate our HUMVEE and JLTV A2 assembly lines and our Aftermarket Fulfillment facility as normal to meet our contractual requirements and serve the Warfighter.
Potential Issues for Congress
The Army's May 1, 2025, directive cancelling JLTV procurement raises a number of potential oversight issues for Congress.
JLTV Program Oversight Issues
The Army's May 1, 2025, JLTV decision arguably lacks sufficient detail needed for congressional oversight. Some potential questions include the following:
- Does the Army intend to immediately cease production of all JLTVs, or will AM General be expected to meet its current contractual delivery requirements through 2027?
- Will the Army take delivery of already produced and paid for JLTVs and trailers awaiting delivery?
- Does the Army plan to issue detailed guidance on how it plans to implement cancellation of JLTV procurement?
- What are the Army's plans to sustain JLTVs already in service? How will spare JLTV parts and components be procured?
- As JLTV is a joint program, how will the Army's cancellation affect the Marines', Navy's, and Air Force's JLTV procurement and sustainment requirements?
- How does the JLTV cancellation affect the Army's overall tactical wheeled vehicle fleet? Does this cancellation have a significant impact on Army ground mobility?
- How does the JLTV cancellation affect Foreign Military Sales (FMS)?
- What is the Army's expected cost savings associated with cancelling the JLTV program?
- How will the JLTV cancellation affect the tactical wheeled vehicle industrial base, particularly small business suppliers?