Navistar Defense Unveils Light Tactical Vehicle Ready for Production

[DriVer]

News Release Issued: October 7, 2011 2:47 PM EDT
Navistar Defense Unveils Light Tactical Vehicle Ready for Production

Saratoga designed for superior survivability, mobility and transportability


WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 10, 2011) Navistar Defense, LLC today unveiled its International® Saratoga™ light tactical vehicle at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Symposium. The company designed the vehicle for superior survivability, mobility and transportability to target the gap between the current High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) Modernized Expanded Capacity Vehicle (MECV) and Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) programs. The vehicle is ready for production to meet today’s mission needs.

“Defense budgets are shifting and the circumstances demand that industry anticipate what our warfighters need rather than wait for a written requirement,” said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense. “Finding a gap in the market is what we do in the commercial world and we are at it again for the sake of our warfighters. The government needs options and the Saratoga is an affordable solution – available now.”

The Saratoga light tactical vehicle has a high degree of commonality with fielded vehicles and incorporates Navistar’s automotive and manufacturing expertise. The company has also designed and tested its own proprietary geometry survivability solution for the vehicle. Considering material mix, vehicle structure and hull shape, the Saratoga offers a more survivable solution for the light tactical vehicle class while also meeting 76” transportability height.

The vehicle meets the most demanding performance needs and has undergone more than 25,000 miles of automotive testing. The Saratoga incorporates the MaxxForce® D6.0L V8 engine, automatic engaging limited slip differentials, Allison 2100 SP 6-SP Automatic Transmission and air independent suspension for added control.

“We believe the Saratoga is a turning point for tactical wheeled vehicles just as the Battle of Saratoga is considered the turning point of the American Revolutionary War,” said Massicotte. “The warfighter needs it today and we are ready.”

Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce® brand diesel engines, IC Bus™ brand school and commercial buses, Monaco® RV brands of recreational vehicles, and Workhorse® brand chassis for motor homes and step vans. It also is a private-label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV markets. The company also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com/newsroom.

[dbear]

Looks pretty cool.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbear Looks pretty cool.

One other item that will make this vehilce a little better logistically is that it does not need to bring urea into the field of battle. Fuel and go!

[golden]

Can it be towed with all four tires down?

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden Can it be towed with all four tires down?

Even comes with OE tow hooks, check the bumper!

[dbear]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer One other item that will make this vehilce a little better logistically is that it does not need to bring urea into the field of battle. Fuel and go!

That occurred to me as well. I'm thinking this one'd make a bada$$ RV:


Might be a little tight quarters, but oh the places you could go...

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbear Might be a little tight quarters, but oh the places you could go...

dbear, In the land down under these types of vehicles are in use as RVs but I expect they are not MRAP hardened.