Article Posted on : - May 25, 2011

LVSR MKR16 tractor. Photo: Oshkosh Defense.

OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN (BNS): US Marine Corps has awarded a $125 million dollar contract to Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, to deliver more than 200 Logistics Vehicle System Replacement (LVSR) tractors and nearly 70 LVSR wreckers.

The contract has been awarded by US Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM).

‎These will be the first full-rate production tractor and wrecker variants, complementing the LVSR cargo variants that have been supporting Marines in Afghanistan since September 2009.

"The LVSR tractors and wreckers allow Marines to navigate some of their heaviest equipment through the most challenging off-road terrain," John Bryant, vice president and general manager of Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense, was quoted as saying in the company news release.

LVSR tractor and wrecker production is scheduled to begin in January 2012 and be completed in September 2012.

The LVSR tractor is designed to haul combat vehicles, semi-trailers and other equipment. The LVSR wrecker supports vehicle recovery in a wide range of terrain – from deserts to mountains – including sand, mud, water and snow.

The advanced LVSR is produced in three variants – cargo, wrecker and tractor – and features an on-road payload capacity of 22.5 tonnes and an off-road payload capacity of 16.5 tonnes.