Oshkosh Defense rolls out new vehicle

OSHKOSH - Oshkosh Defense says its new vehicle called the LVSR is like a Swiss Army Knife for tactical vehicles. Company engineers tailored the vehicle especially for the needs of the Marines, making it easy to maneuver, well-protected, and able to carry heavy loads.

The Marine Corps will use the vehicle on and off the road to transport munitions, fuel, water, and heavy equipment.

Marines, Oshkosh leaders, and employees gathered Friday to sign the official work order for the LVSR.

The original contract was awarded in June of 2006, without a specific quantity of vehicles. The contract could be worth upwards of $740 million dollars, but that's if the company produces the maximum amount the contract could call for.

“It’s not a large contract in term of dollars; we have larger contracts, more expansive contracts but this one, it’s a demanding technical challenge. Really what's more important about this is that we proved we could do it and it broadens our portfolio, it broadens the expanse of things that we can do and puts us really again, Oshkosh, our at the front edge of technology where everybody else is still chasing us,” said Oshkosh Defense President, Andy Hove.

Oshkosh leaders expect the advances in technology will bring the company more business and help retain employees in the near future.