Vanguard Magazine

t talkIng TECH www.vanguardcanada.com DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 41 vee performing different roles within the Army and Marine Corps. "Now more than 30-years-old, the HMMWV may continue to play its origi- nal intended role: transportation of per- sonnel and equipment 'behind the wire'," said Bryant. "The HMMWV was designed for light utility and not for use as a front- line combat vehicle." C4ISR capabilities In constructing the L-ATV, Oshkosh took the approach of building in modular C4ISR capabilities from the start. Tradi- tionally built vehicles often tend to get de- livered fully-configured making it difficult for customers adjust their vehicles to meet arising mission requirements. The strategy, according to Bryant, en- abled Oshkosh to incorporate "plug- and-play" Command, Control, Com- munications, Computer, Intelligence and Reconnaissance systems that can be con- figured at a moment's notice to fulfill rap- idly changing mission requirements as op- posed to having a vehicle seat in the garage for days until the needed equipment is in- stalled. The result is a vehicle that provides flexibility and scalability. The integrated C4 systems of the L-ATV include: • Command and control – on-the-move battlefield situational awareness systems and global positioning systems (GPS) • Communications – HF, VHF, UHF, SATCOM and vehicle intercoms • Computers – centralized computers and smart displays with network integration and software integration • Electronic warfare – counter radio elec- tronic warfare (CREW) systems • Surveillance – long-range surveillance systems, shot detection, silent watch power systems, visible light and IR cam- era systems • Weapons – turret-operated systems, re- mote weapons systems (RWS), tube- launched missile systems "Our L-ATV has a scalable and vertically integrated design that is prepared to be outfitted with any of the latest C4ISR packages our customers require," said Bryant. "In fact, we delivered 22 different configurations for the EMD phase." Will Canada need an l-atv? Oshkosh has not received any queries from Canada about the L-ATV; however, Bryant is probably not discounting the possibility of getting a call from DND. "We understand that the Canadian Forc- es currently has hundreds of armoured HMMWVs in their fleet, however, The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) is seeking Next Generation Fighting Vehicles with increased protection and mobility in the near future," he said. The NGFV is intended to be a tactical, multi-role vehicle for CANSOFCOM. Preliminary estimates for the NGFV are around $100 million and $249 million. Optional analysis for the project is sup- posed to be done in 2015, with request for proposals released at around 2017. "We're not disclosing the details related to any potential international programs for the L-ATV at, this time," said Bryant. 'An up-armoured HMMWV's performance and survivability are not even in the same ballpark as the Oshkosh JLTV.'

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