[14000rpm]

what we have here is what is arguably the most significant new military vehicle in a generation: the MRAP (mine resistant ambush protected) All-Terrain Vehicle, which shortens up nicely to M-ATV. It’s the sorely needed replacement for the ubiquitous Humvee (M1114), and by the time you read this, about 2000 of them will have been airlifted to Afghanistan.



When the government issued an urgent request for proposal for an off-road-capable MRAP in November 2008, none existed. Seven months later, Oshkosh Defense of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was selected from a group of four bidders and awarded a $1 billion contract.


Of course, some trusty ol’ armor vastly improves survivability, and the M-ATV has it in a layered combination, the details of which we don’t have the clearance level to know. We’d guess the doors weigh a couple hundred pounds each, but just as important, the M-ATV sports a V-shaped hull that deflects blasts and prevents IEDs from penetrating the cabin. Central tire inflation and huge run-flat Michelins are survivability enhancers as well. The M-ATV must be able to drive at least 30 miles at 30 mph with one or two flat tires. It can also take a 7.62-millimeter round to the engine oil/coolant/hydraulic system and drive on for at least another kilometer.



What the M-ATV can take, it can also give. Its roof turret can accommodate anything from an M240 7.62mm machine gun to a Mk 19 grenade machine gun or TOW anti-tank missile launcher. All can be operated from the turret or remotely from inside the cabin, where the driver has a low-visibility/night thermal-imaging display that flips down like a sun visor. In addition to a complete gauge package, the driver faces two batteries of rocker switches that control everything from transmission and transfer-case modes (road, cross country, 2wd/4wd) to tire inflation and a rearview, or “check six,” camera. Traction control and anti-lock brakes are enabled depending upon the mode.

Credit the TAK-4 independent suspension that every M-ATV (and many MRAP vehicles) rides on. Developed by Oshkosh and tested by the Joint MRAP Vehicle Program and the Nevada Automotive Test Center, the TAK-4 is a heavy unequal-length control-arm setup with coil springs. Completely modular, it bolts up easily and offers 16 inches of independent wheel travel. Compare that with Ford’s new F-150 SVT Raptor R Baja-type production-based racer, which offers 15 inches of travel, and you’ll understand how the M-ATV can speed across off-road terrain with aplomb.

Power is courtesy of a Caterpillar C7 7.2-liter, inline-six turbo-diesel. Found in a variety of military and commercial vehicles, it makes more than standard grunt in the M-ATV (370 horsepower and 925 pound-feet of torque versus the stock 330 horsepower and 850 pound-feet).

Big brake drums require significant pedal pressure, but panic stops are drama-free. The nose dives, and you can actually see the anti-lock brakes pulse the M-ATV to a halt. An ATC test driver managed 0.46 g on our improvised 200-foot-diameter skidpad (an airfield helicopter ordnance-loading pad), the M-ATV tilting obscenely and actually lifting the unloaded front wheel.

source: Oshkosh M-ATV - Specialty File - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver

[vinod_nookala]

Now that's what i call an Armour 4x4 vehicle. All independent suspension with 16 inch of travel is phenomenal!

Only problem is it weighs close to 11.5 tons!! Hence expect it to get stuck where lesser mortals like Gypsy's and Jeeps take through soft ground.

But this is a MPV (mine protected vehicle) so ideal comparison should be with our AL/TATA/Mahindra mine protected vehicles

[Torque-ative]

In all fairness, such Behamoths wer'nt mean to tread lightly in the first place.
This was probably desgned ground up to answer to the IED's (Improvised explosive devices), and ambushes that follow in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is taking a HUGE toll on lifes and morale of GI's and allied troops.

The last of the old school 4x4's still doing service in the forces is probably the Land rover in the pink panther guise with the Royal Marines.

The reign of the original jeeps probably ended with the MUTT,..and there has been none ever since,..sad.

[vasanthn21]

my... my... what a hunk or should I say HULK?

Wonder how it would feel to go offroading in this?

[Zed]

The L-ATV is not to be confused with the M-ATV which is already in service. The L-ATV is aimed at the vacant slot that the HMMWV (Humvee) will leave in the defense space. For competitive reasons Oshkosh has only released limited information regarding the specification of the L-ATV. But there is information in the company's website and some publications that this light tactical vehicle will be powered by a 200 - 400 hp oil burner with an allison transmission. An alternate diesel-hybrid powertrain may also offered.

The L-ATV is potenatially the next generation of all-terrain light vehicles designed to succeed the hummer. The way Oshkosh positions this product is to contrast it with the humvee which basically filled the need for a light tactical vehicle from the 80's till date for the US military and other gun trotting organizations around the world. The L-ATV, on the other hand, is a contemporary version designed to address requirements from the same lot for the next 20 years. Better survivability & performance at a lower cost to the Humvee is a key marketing statement.

Considering the success that the civilian version of the Humvee - the Hummer H1 and its successor the H2 - enjoyed in certain markets for a certain period of time, the question that begs to be asked is if Oshkosh will develop or license a civilian version. Pics and information : Diesel Progress (NA) \ Oshkosh Severe-Duty Trucks for Defense, Military, Army, Marines, and Air Forces : Oshkosh Defense

I guess the design is rife with possibilities for a mean looking civilian version. Is Arnie listening ?

[neel385]

Great looking vehicle and yes, the the design is rife with possibilities for a mean looking civilian version. Drool maal for sure.

Could you share any other spec that is available for the vehicle?

[scopriobharath]

Originally Posted by Zed

I guess the design is rife with possibilities for a mean looking civilian version. Is Arnie listening ?

honestly to me this vehicle looks more truck ish rather than civilian ish. the front looks like an american "big-rig". I doubt if the same look will find takers in the Hummer segment. It might cater to the "enthisuast" 4X4 crowd.

[condor]

@Zed, discussed here:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ve...osh-m-atv.html

[Zed]

Originally Posted by neel385

Great looking vehicle and yes, the the design is rife with possibilities for a mean looking civilian version. Drool maal for sure.

Could you share any other spec that is available for the vehicle?

What I see in the press is that only limited specs have been released for competitive reasons. Same with the company website.

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

honestly to me this vehicle looks more truck ish rather than civilian ish. the front looks like an american "big-rig". I doubt if the same look will find takers in the Hummer segment. It might cater to the "enthisuast" 4X4 crowd.

Sure it looks more like a F-350 on steroids rather than a cousin to the Hummer. But I do think that part of the Hummers allure in the civilian market was its military connection - i.e the possibility to drive a machine which was actually fighting baddies in the real world. In fact many marketing experts attribute a large part of the Hummers success to the fact that operation desert storm was aired extensively on TV. And the Hummer was an integral part of the arsenal deployed on the ground.

Originally Posted by condor

@Zed, discussed here:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ve...osh-m-atv.html

The M-ATV has different specifications although visually it appears very similar to the L-ATV. The opening line of my post was based on the fact that there is already a T-Bhp thread on the M-ATV. Thanks anyways

[tsk1979]

Note from mod : Thread title edited, and information on both M-ATV and L-ATV moved to this thread