The Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) is a series of vehicles, based on a common chassis that vary by payload and mission requirements. The MTVR is a purpose-designed military vehicle, although a small number of vehicles have been sold commercially for specialized operations such as wildfire fighting.
There were originally four MTVR variants, this increasing to seven, and then nine variants (plus a sub-variant) as deliveries and development continued. A dedicated trailer and prototype/developmental MTVRs have also been produced.
The first MTVRs were delivered in late 1999. The MTVR is the U.S. Marines’ equivalent of the U.S. Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV). The Marines do not use the FMTV (with the exception of the FMTV-based HIMARS); the Army does not use the MTVR. The MTVR was designed and is manufactured by Oshkosh Defense.
The MTVR has its design origins in two U.S. military programs, the 5 ton Tactical Truck Replacement (5TTR) for the U.S. Army, and the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) for the U.S. Marines. The aim of these programs was to upgrade and extend the service life of around 3,400 U.S. Army M939 series 5 ton trucks, and 8,100 U.S. Marines M809 and M939 series 5 ton trucks. Prototype and development contracts for both programs were awarded in 1996. The 5TTR program was subsequently halted, and the MTVR program evolved from an upgrade to a new-build requirement.
Oshkosh was awarded a multi-year MTVR production contract in February 1999. The first vehicles were scheduled for delivery by the end of 1999, and deliveries under the initial contract concluded during August 2005. The award initially allowed for up to 8,168 MTVRs (including options for 2,502) in four variants (MK23, MK25, MK27, MK28) to be ordered over five program years; 6,931 MTVRs were delivered, 6,393 to the Marines and 538 to the Navy (Seabees). The first MTVRs were fielded in July 2001. Three additional variants followed, the MK29, MK30 and MK36.
Under a separate contract, Oshkosh commenced production in July 2004 of a further MTVR variant, the MK37. Based on the MK27 and fitted with a rear-mounted Hiab materials handling crane rated at 2,500 kg at 6.1 m maximum reach, the MK37 is a resupply vehicle for the U.S. Marines HIgh Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The companion trailer is designated MK38.
Oshkosh was awarded a second MTVR multi-year contract (FY05-FY10) in July 2004. This award initially covered only potential Foreign Military Sales (FMS), plus the continuing requirements of the U.S. Navy. Ultimately the U.S. Navy and Marines combined received >2,000 vehicles under this contract.
In 2005, the MK31 Medium Equipment Transporter (MET) tractor entered service with Seabees, and later in the year with the Marines.
The MK28C is a variant of the MK28. The MK28C (C - chassis) replaced Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) types, these based on a mix of tactical and commercial truck chassis and including: water distributor, 2,000 US gallon; fuel, 1,500 US gallon; field service; asphalt distributor; earth auger. Interchangeable commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) - or modified COTS - bodies are fitted to MK28C chassis as field circumstances dictate.
Also in 2005, Oshkosh was awarded a contract to re-manufacture an initial 27 MTVRs to new configuration and with a full new vehicle warranty.
On 16 May 2008 the 10,000th MTVR was completed. By late 2011 an estimated 11,135 MTVRs had been ordered, that figure including 9,221 for the USMC and 1,855 for the Navy.
In FY12 the third (and final) five-year multi-year MTVR contract was awarded to Oshkosh. The final known MTVR delivery order (US$67 m for 338 vehicles; 278 Marines, 60 Seabees) was placed in September 2012, and inclusive of this order 11,359 MTVRs were ordered by the US Marines', about 1900 of these for the Navy. Orders under the final contract could be placed until June 2016.
In conjunction with Pierce Manufacturing (an Oshkosh Corporation company), Oshkosh developed the MTVR MK23/25-based Hawk Extreme, a wildland firefighting water tender. This product has been sold commercially.
All production versions of the MTVR are based on the same 6×6 drive configuration and utilize a chassis constructed using bolted / huck-bolted, formed channel (248 × 76 × 9.7 mm) made of heat-treated carbon manganese steel with a yield strength of 758 MPa. The engine is located under a forward fibreglass hood. The cab seats three and is of welded aluminium extrusion construction with adhesive bonded aluminium skins. The cab folds down to reduce overall height to 2.489 m and from mid-2007, production vehicles are armor-ready and have air-conditioning, revised cab mounts and upgraded cab suspension.
With the exception of the UK's Wheeled Tanker variants, all MTVRs are powered by a Caterpillar C-12, Advanced Diesel Engine Management (ADEM) III 11.9-litre six-cylinder diesel engine that develops 425 hp at 1,800 rpm and 2,101 Nm of torque at 1,200 rpm. When the central tire inflation system (CTIS) is set at 0 to 1,814 kg (2 tons) payload, engine power output is automatically reduced by around 20%. Driveline is completed by an Allison HD 4070P seven-speed automatic transmission, TC-541 torque converter and an Oshkosh 30000 Series single-speed transfer case. All-wheel drive is permanent and under highway driving conditions the torque split is 32% front, 68% rear.
Oshkosh TAK-4 independent coil spring suspension is fitted to the MTVR, this providing each front wheel with a total vertical travel of 406 mm and a travel of 325 mm on the rear axles. The front axle is rated at 7,257 kg, the second at 10,659 kg, the third at 11,567 kg. The MK36 wrecker and MK31 tractor variants have Hendrickson hydraulic suspension on the rear axles.
Standard tires fitted to the MTVR are Michelin 1600 R20 XZL and with the exception of the MK36 wrecker variant, no spare is carried. Compensating for no spare is a runflat setting option on the CTIS. CTIS allows the driver to adjust tyre pressures to suit both payload and terrain conditions, from the driving seat. The two-piece bolt-together steel wheel rims are fitted with beadlocks for extreme low-pressure operations and tires will remain seated at pressures down to 10 psi. In the event that any one tire should fail totally, a limp-home facility allows for a second axle suspension unit to be raised and secured.
Mobility parameters include a climatic operational range of -32 °C (-46 with kits) to +52 °C. The MTVR has a maximum speed of 105 km/h and on-road cruising range of 483 km. It can climb a 60% gradient and traverse a 40% side slope with its maximum cross-country load. It can ford 1.52m of water and surmount a 610 mm vertical step.Turning radius and approach, departure, and ramp breakover angles vary by variant.
MTVR variants can be internally transported by C-5, C-17 and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The MK23 can be transported underslung by CH-53 helicopter.
The original MTVR trailer was designed and developed by Oshkosh to provide a matching trailer for the MTVR truck. Two prototype MTVR trailers were manufactured and tested between May 2000 and March 2001. In June 2005 the U.S. Marine Corps System Command (MARCORSYSCOM) awarded the Choctaw Manufacturing and Developing Corporation (CMDC) a $1.9 million Small Business Sole Source design and development contract for the MTVR Trailer. Oshkosh manufactures and supplies the associated trailers for the MK37 HIMARS resupply variant.
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