Interesting partnership. I have yet to check this vehicle out in the field, and most of my experience is with older armored vehicles like the Mamba. I look forward to what the market can produce. And when it comes to vehicles like this, I like the words ‘fast and safe’ in the same sentence. Now if they can put ‘fuel efficient’ in that sentence, now we are talking. On a side note, the true test is the air conditioning unit and how dependable that will be. If any of the engineers are reading this, it better be ice cold….I mean sweater weather in that thing. LOL. -Head Jundi
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Blackwater, Raytheon Pitch JLTV Candidate
By kris osborn
22 May 19:27
Blackwater USA and Raytheon unveiled a prototype six-passenger Joint Light Tactical Vehicle at the U.S. Special Operations Industry Conference in Tampa, Fla., on May 21, revealing their teamed-up effort to build a survivable, mobile next-generation Humvee.
The Raytheon-Blackwater JLTV Grizzly MK VII. (Blackwater USA photo) “Our vehicle will go faster and carry more weight safely than any other JLTV,” said Blackwater USA Vice President Bill Mathews. “With Raytheon being the integrator for so many ground vehicles for C4ISR, our JLTV will have the technological equivalent of an F-18 cockpit.”
The Blackwater-Raytheon partnership aims to combine the fast, off-road vehicle expertise with the systems integration and C4ISR abilities of Raytheon.
Made by Ares Systems Group, its appliqué armor uses add-on composite materials designed to provide more protection at lower weight than traditional materials.
“The integral armor packages are exceptional, and the appliqué makes this one really tough, capable vehicle,” said Mathews. “We will be providing protection that is on par with MRAPs [Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles] in a package that is mobile.”
Raytheon officials praised the partnership and emphasized the JLTV program’s survivability.
In the coming weeks, the Blackwater-Raytheon JLTV prototype will be tested with gunfire, high temperatures and other combat conditions, Mathews said.
The Army plans to award three 27-month JLTV development contracts at the end of June.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3543820&c=AME&s=LAN