Oshkosh trucks keep going after the road ends. Whether it's hauling vital military equipment through the rugged mountain passes of Bosnia, busting through snow to keep an airport open, or inching up to the work site on a construction job, Oshkosh trucks are built to take civilisation into uncivilised terrain.
| Technological advancements on the Oshkosh M1070 heavy equipment transporter include central tyre inflation for all-terrain mobility |
For decades, Oshkosh Truck has manufactured a wide range of specialised trucks designed to outperform general-purpose trucks in demanding conditions. From its beginnings in 1917 Oshkosh has specialised in heavy-duty, all-wheel drive trucks engineered to operate in the toughest conditions. Oshkosh soon earned a reputation for building rugged, long-lasting trucks that got the job done. It is one of the few manufacturers that have met the challenge of product development and customer satisfaction to become a vital and vibrant leader in severe-duty transportation.
Defence organisations around the world have been leaning toward doing business the commercial way and they have challenged their suppliers to do the same. At Oshkosh Truck, two major changes that have resulted include moving the entire work force to a team-based environment and installing a single production line for military and commercial models. Following the success of its total quality management initiative, it was time to meet the US Defense Department's next challenge. In early 1995 Oshkosh combined the production of its commercial and military models into a single assembly line. As a result small production runs of military trucks are more cost effective, and start-up costs have been cut.
Through the many changes that the company has initiated in the past 80 years, its commitment to quality has remained constant. In 1995, Oshkosh's commitment to quality was clearly demonstrated when it became one of the first manufacturers of severe-duty trucks to receive ISO 9001 certification.
In recent years, the US Department of Defense (DoD) has focused efforts on streamlining its buying process. Oshkosh provides ongoing support for that effort. In fact, the family concept contract resulted from a new and unique teaming of the DoD and Oshkosh.
In June 1996, the US Army and Oshkosh Truck signed the first family contract, so named because it covers the heavy expanded mobility tactical truck (HEMTT) and the logistic vehicle system (LVS). These are considered members of the same vehicle family largely because they feature similar axles and cabs for maximum similarities in production.
The contract means the DoD can count on vehicles being available when requirements and funding are identified. The benefit comes from uninterrupted production that translates into firm savings for defence customers for at least three years. All demand for the branches of the US military, as well as vehicles sold under the foreign military sales umbrella, is expected to flow through the family contract.
Oshkosh can boast more than 30 years' military remanufacturing experience. It began by revitalising more than 1,700 snow ploughs for the US Air Force in 1960. Today, Oshkosh is contracted to overhaul HEMTTs for the US Army. Each truck, along with major components, will be disassembled and parts cleaned, inspected and replaced where necessary. Each truck will be covered by a new warranty.
Engineers at Oshkosh continuously develop innovative product features to improve performance, increase vehicle duty cycle and decrease operating costs. One innovation is a central tyre inflation system (CTIS). A turn of a knob will inflate or deflate tyres to the desired pressure to accommodate on-road and off-road terrain quickly. Several thousand of these systems have been fielded. The system is available on HEMTT, heavy equipment transporter (HET) and PLS models.
Oshkosh's patented independent suspension system allows trucks to cover difficult terrain quickly and evenly by keeping wheels firmly on the ground. Each wheel operates independently and has its own coil-spring suspension with control arms attaching the wheel to the differential. The enhanced HEMTT is the first Oshkosh truck to incorporate both features. It is the latest member of the HEMTT family of diesel-driven 8x8 trucks that first rolled off the production line in March 1982.
Oshkosh trucks form the core of the US Army's heavy truck fleet. Currently the HEMTT, palletized load system (PLS) and HET are deployed in Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia. The trucks are moving fuel, ammunition and supplies for the mission that enforces the peace agreement in former Yugoslavia.
| The Oshkosh PLS vehicle and trailer can deliver 33 tons of cargo on dismountable flatracks anywhere on a battlefield |
The Oshkosh HEMTT is considered by many to be the premier heavy-duty truck available to military organisations around the world. Originally designed as a heavy logistics support vehicle for combat and combat-support units, the HEMTT is also used to transport missile systems. The HEMTT family of trucks includes two cargo bodies, a recovery vehicle, a tractor and a fuel tanker. Also, the HEMTT is available with a palletised load system that can deliver up to 11 tons of supplies and off-load them in minutes without other material handling equipment.
The HET M1070 represents the very latest technology in a military tank transporter. It can pull a number of different trailers and is used to transport Challenger, LeClerc and M1A1 tanks. A large number of these trucks have been proven in the Middle East.
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The PLS was selected as the erector/launch vehicle for the US Army's new theater high-altitude, air-defense (THAAD) missile system. And new applications for the PLS are being planned. Present applications include transporting ISO folding bridges; artillery rearming modules; carrying forward repair systems; mine rollers; concrete mixers; or as a wrecker.
Oshkosh Truck Corporation is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The company has eight overseas offices and representatives in 40 countries to give customers the level of service critical to maintaining logistic support. Parts are stocked locally for fast delivery, and on-site maintenance service and customised training are available.
