The US Army has selected four defense companies to develop prototypes for its Common Tactical Truck (CTT) program.
Oshkosh Defense, Mack Defense, Navistar Defense, and a joint team from Rheinmetall and GM Defense have been awarded contracts totalling $24.3 million for the initiative.
As part of the agreement, each firm will develop three prototypes for every CTT variant, including the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, Palletized Load System, and M915 Line Haul Tractor/M1088 Medium Tractor.
They will need to submit digital designs and associated studies for each prototype.
According to the US Army, the initiative aims to evaluate if commercially-based CTT variants can meet military requirements.
Once developed, all prototypes will be assessed in 2024, and the results will be forwarded to the Army Requirements Oversight Council.
The program office will then conduct a full and open competition requiring vendors to produce production-representative vehicles for run-off testing.
Addressing Existing Gaps
The CTT is a family of vehicles that leverages commercial technologies and practices, allowing low procurement costs.
It reportedly brings “an increased level of standardization” to the US Army’s tactical truck fleet.
The program also seeks to mitigate current gaps in driver safety systems, autonomy, and fuel consumption as it intends to use commercial technologies such as advanced driver assist systems.
“This approach allows the Army to modernize at the pace of industry, integrating new technologies as they are developed,” project manager Wolfgang Petermann said.
“Additionally, commonality in the CTT family of vehicles will enable open modular designs and interchangeable repair parts across the fleet, resulting in streamlined supply chains and reduced total lifecycle costs.”
Reminiscent of Liberty Truck
Program Executive Officer Samuel Peterson revealed that the CTT initiative is reminiscent of the original Liberty Truck, a heavy-duty vehicle produced by the US Army during World War I.
It was reportedly the first official standardized motor vehicle adopted and produced by the US military.
“The CTT program can be viewed as the Liberty Truck of the 21st century, as it will similarly seek to streamline the Army’s supply, maintenance, and training requirements,” he said.
