Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV):

Background and Issues for Congress

Updated July 13, 2020

Congressional Research Service

https://crsreports.congress.gov

RS22942

SUMMARY

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background

and Issues for Congress

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is being developed by the Army and the Marine Corps

as a successor to the High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), which has been in

service since 1985. On October 28, 2008, awards were made for the JLTV Technology

Development (TD) Phase to three industry teams: (1) BAE Systems, (2) the team of Lockheed

Martin and General Tactical Vehicle, and (3) AM General and General Dynamics Land Systems.

RS22942

July 13, 2020

Andrew Feickert

Specialist in Military

Ground Forces

On January 26, 2012, the Army issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the JLTV’s Engineering Manufacturing

Development (EMD) phase. The period of performance for EMD contracts was 27 months, and the overall EMD phase was

scheduled to last 33 months. Vendors were required to provide 22 JLTV prototypes for testing 12 months after contract

award. The target cost for the base vehicle was $250,000, excluding add-on armor and other kits.

On August 22, 2012, the Army announced the award of three firm-fixed price JLTV EMD contracts totaling approximately

$185 million. The three companies awarded the EMD contracts were AM General, LLC (South Bend, IN); Lockheed Martin

Corporation (Grand Prairie, TX); and Oshkosh Corporation (Oshkosh, WI).

On September 3, 2013, the Army began JLTV testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; Yuma, AZ; and Redstone Arsenal,

AL. The Army planned to select a single vendor by 2015, with the first Army brigade being equipped with JLTVs by 2018.

On August 25, 2015, it was announced the Army had awarded Oshkosh a $6.7 billion low rate initial production (LRIP)

contract with eight options to procure the initial 16,901 vehicles for the Army and Marines. The JLTV is being produced in

Oshkosh, WI.

The British Army is reportedly trying to acquire 2,747 JLTVs through Foreign Military Sales (FMS). The Marines have also

reportedly increased their JLTV requirement for a total of 9,091 JLTVs. The Air Force and Navy are also procuring a limited

number of JLTVs for use.

A redacted May 2, 2018, DOD Inspector General (IG) report noted the services had not demonstrated effective test results to

prepare the JLTV program for full rate production, but the JLTV Program Office planned to address this concern. The

Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) FY2018 Annual Report noted among other findings that JLTVs were

not operationally suitable because of deficiencies in reliability, maintainability, training, manuals, crew situational awareness,

and safety. On June 20, 2019, the Army authorized JLTV full-rate production.

In order to free up funds for other Army modernization priorities, the Army plans a program reduction in FY2021 of $201.6

million and will also extend the JLTV procurement by three years until 2042. The Army also has indicated it plans compete a

follow-on contract to be awarded in FY2022 intended to split the procurement between Oshkosh and a new competitor in

order to drive down costs.

Potential questions for Congress include

1. Will the JLTV become the major bill payer for Army modernization? and

2. What is the future of JLTV procurement?

Congressional Research Service

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

Contents

Background ..................................................................................................................................... 1

The JLTV Program .......................................................................................................................... 1

What Is the JLTV?..................................................................................................................... 1

Program Structure ..................................................................................................................... 1

Past Program History....................................................................................................................... 2

Technology Development Contracts Awarded .......................................................................... 2

JLTV Contracts Protested .......................................................................................................... 2

Change in Requirements, Program Schedule, and Variants ...................................................... 3

Army Issues RFP for EMD Phase ............................................................................................. 3

JLTV EMD Contracts Awarded................................................................................................. 3

Army Releases Final RFP for JLTV Full-Rate Production ....................................................... 4

Bids Submitted for JLTV Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) ................................................ 4

Army Awards JLTV Contract .................................................................................................... 4

Lockheed Martin’s JLTV Protest .............................................................................................. 5

Lockheed Martin Files Protest with the Government Accountability Office

(GAO) .............................................................................................................................. 5

Army Stops Work on the JLTV Contract ............................................................................ 5

Lockheed Martin Withdraws JLTV Protest from United States Court of

Federal Claims ................................................................................................................. 5

JLTV LRIP Production Begins .................................................................................................. 6

Delay in JLTV Initial Operating Capability (IOC) .................................................................... 6

Army Places $100 Million Order for JLTVs ............................................................................. 6

Other JLTV Program-Related Developments .................................................................................. 6

Air Force JLTV Acquisition ...................................................................................................... 6

Marines Increase JLTV Requirement to 9,091 Vehicles ........................................................... 6

British Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Purchase of JLTV .......................................................... 7

JLTV Procurement Extended One Year and Increased Total Program Cost ............................. 7

DOD Inspector General (IG) Report and JLTV Production ...................................................... 7

First Units Receive JLTV .......................................................................................................... 7

Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) FY2018 Annual Report ........................ 8

JLTV Full-Rate Decision Delayed ............................................................................................ 8

Army Approves JLTV Full-Rate Production ............................................................................. 9

Marine Corps Addresses DOT&E Concerns and JLTV Fielding Plans .................................... 9

Army Considers Reducing Overall JLTV Acquisition .............................................................. 9

FY2021 JLTV Program Reduction and Extended Procurement ............................................. 10

Army Plans to Recompete JLTV Follow-On Contract............................................................ 10

Department of Defense (DOD) FY2021 Budget Request ............................................................. 10

FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) ................................................................. 11

S.4049 ...................................................................................................................................... 11

H.R. 6395 ................................................................................................................................. 11

FY2021 Defense Appropriations Bill ............................................................................................. 11

Potential Issues for Congress......................................................................................................... 12

Will the JLTV Become the Major Bill Payer for Army Modernization? ................................ 12

What Is the Future of JLTV Procurement?.............................................................................. 12

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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

Tables

Table 1. FY2021 DOD Budget Request—JLTV ........................................................................... 10

Contacts

Author Information........................................................................................................................ 13

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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

Background1

The JLTV is an Army-led, multiservice initiative to develop a family of future light tactical

vehicles to replace many of the High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) used by the

armed services today. HMMWVs, which first entered service in 1985, were developed during the

Cold War when improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other antivehicle explosive devices

were not a major factor in military planning. The HMMWVs’ demonstrated vulnerability to IEDs

and the difficulties and costs experienced in “up-armoring” HMMWVs already in the inventory

led to renewed emphasis on vehicle survivability. DOD officials have emphasized that JLTVs are

not intended to replace HMMWVs “one for one.”2

The JLTV Program

What Is the JLTV?3

The JLTV program is a joint Army/Marine Corps effort to develop and produce both vehicles and

associated trailers. The JLTV family of vehicles consists of two variants: the two seat Utility

variant and a four seat variant with three models:



General Purpose (GP) variant;

Heavy Guns Carrier (HGC) variant; and

Close Combat Weapon carrier (CCWC) variant.4

Program Structure

The JLTV is an Acquisition Category (ACAT) 1D program.5 The Army bears the overall

responsibility for developing the JLTV through its Joint Program Office, which reports to the

Program Executive Office (PEO) for Combat Support & Combat Service Support (PEO

CS&CSS) in Warren, MI, which reports to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition,

Logistics, and Technology (ASA [AL&T]). Marine participation is centered on a program office

under the supervision of the Program Executive Officer Land Systems (PEO LS) Marine Corps at

Quantico, VA.

1 Alan L. Gropman, “Combat Vehicle Sector Could be Headed for Turbulent Times,” National Defense, April 25,

2008, and James P. Miller, “Race is On to Replace Humvee,” Chicago Tribune, June 21, 2008.

2 Kris Osborn, “DOD’s JLTV Becoming an International Effort,” Defense News, August 4, 2008. Headquarters,

Department of the Army, “Army Truck Program (Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Acquisition Strategy) Report to the

Congress,” June 2010, p. 5.

3 Information in this section is taken from the Army Product Manager, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle website,

https://www.peocscss.army.mil/pmjltv.html, visited February 18, 2020, and Tony Bertuca, “PMs: JLTV Still Too

Heavy, Changing Schedule and Losing Six-Man Variant,” InsideDefense.com, February 11, 2011.

4 Ibid.

5 The 12th Edition of the Defense Acquisition University Glossary, July 2005, defines an ACAT 1D program as “a

Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) which is estimated by the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition,

Technology, and Logistics) (USD (AT&L)) to require the eventual expenditure for Research, Development, Test, and

Evaluation (RDT&E) of more than $365 million (FY2000 constant dollars) or the procurement of more than $2.19

billion (FY2000 constant dollars).”

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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

Past Program History

In November 2006 the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Joint Requirement Oversight Council (JROC)

approved the JLTV program. On December 22, 2007, the Under Secretary of Defense for

Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics USD (AT&L) signed an Acquisition Decision

Memorandum (ADM) directing the JLTV Program to move from the Concept Refinement Phase

into the Technology Development (TD) Phase of the DOD System Acquisition Process. The

Army and Marines had intended to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Technology

Development Phase as early as October 2007. Concerned with funding adequacy, technical

maturity, and shifting requirements, the Pentagon’s acquisition executive disapproved the

issuance of the RFP and directed the Army and Marines to “go back to the drawing board and

develop a robust technology development phase.”6 On February 5, 2008, an RFP for Technology

Development Phase was issued to industry.7 The RFP stated the government desired to award

three contracts for the JLTV Technology Development Phase. The RFP stipulated that proposals

would be due April 7, 2008, and the TD Phase would last 27 months. Contractors would build

four test subconfigurations during the first 15 months, followed by 12 months of testing.

Technology Development Contracts Awarded8

On October 28, 2008, three awards were made for the JLTV TD Phase for a total of $166 million.

The three industry teams were (1) BAE Systems Land and Armaments, Ground Systems

Division, Santa Clara, CA, and NAVISTAR Defense, Warrenville, IL; (2) General Tactical

Vehicles, Sterling Heights, MI—a joint venture between General Dynamics Land Systems and

AM General; and (3) Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Oswego, NY, BAE Systems, Alcoa

Defense, Pittsburgh, PA, and JWF Defense Systems, Johnstown, PA.

JLTV Contracts Protested

On November 7 and November 12, 2008, protests were filed with the Government Accountability

Office (GAO) against the TD contract awards by the Northrop Grumman-Oshkosh team and the

Textron-Boeing-SAIC team alleging there were “unintended discrepancies” in how the

government rated bids in terms of the criteria of systems maturity, logistics, and costs.9 As a result

of that protest, work on the JLTV program by the three winning teams was suspended. On

February 17, 2009, GAO rejected the JLTV protests and the stop-work orders were lifted.

6 Jason Sherman, “Pentagon Halts JLTV Competition, Directs Revised Strategy,” InsideDefense.com, September 24,

2007.

7 JLTV Request for Proposal, W56HZV-08-R-0210, February 5, 2008, and Marjorie Censer, “JLTV Solicitation Calls

for Three Contractors: Officials Say More are Possible,” InsideDefense.com, February 5, 2008.

8 Unless otherwise noted, information in this section is taken from TACOM’s JLTV Program website,

http://contracting.tacom.army.mil/MAJORSYS/JLTV/jltv.htm, accessed March 2, 2011, and the Marine Corps PEO

Land Systems JLTV website, https://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/peolandsystems/jltv.aspx, accessed March 2, 2011.

9 Marjorie Censer, “Following Northrop’s Lead, Boeing-Textron Team Files JLTV Protest,” InsideDefense.com,

November 12, 2008, and Ann Roosevelt, “Textron-Team Protests Army JLTV Awards,” Defense Daily, November 13,

2008; and Daniel Wasserbly, “U.S. GAO Rejects JLTV Protests,” Jane’s Defence Weekly, February 25, 2009, p. 12.

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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

Change in Requirements, Program Schedule, and Variants10

In February 2011 the JLTV Program Office announced the award of the EMD contract would be

delayed until January or February 2012 because the Army changed requirements for the JLTV to

have the same level of under-body protection as the Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected AllTerrain Vehicle (M-ATV). DOD had planned to award two contracts for the EMD phase, which

was scheduled to last 24 months,11 but instead opted for a 48-month-long EMD phase before

awarding Production and Deployment contracts in the second quarter of FY2016. It was decided

that there would be two variants—a Combat Tactical Vehicle (CTV), which can transport four

passengers and carry 3,500 pounds, and a Combat Support Vehicle (CSV), which can transport

two passengers and carry 5,100 pounds.

Army Issues RFP for EMD Phase12

On January 26, 2012, the Army issued the RFP for the JLTV’s EMD Phase. Industry proposals

for the EMD contract were to have been filed with the Army by March 13, 2012. The RFP

stipulated that up to three EMD contracts could be awarded, and contract award occurred in June

2012. These contracts would be capped at $65 million per contract. The duration of the EMD

performance period would be 27 months starting with contract award. Vendors would be required

to provide 22 prototypes for testing 12 months after contract award, and the target cost for the

base vehicle configuration was $250,000 (FY2011 constant dollars), excluding add-on armor kits

and other kits identified in the RFP.

JLTV EMD Contracts Awarded

On August 22, 2012, the Army announced the award of three firm-fixed price JLTV EMD

contracts totaling approximately $185 million.13 The three companies awarded the EMD contracts

were AM General, LLC (South Bend, IN); Lockheed Martin Corporation (Grand Prairie, TX);

and Oshkosh Corporation (Oshkosh, WI). The period of performance was for 27 months, with

each contractor receiving initial funding between $28 million and $36 million per contractor, with

the balance of funding up to the full contract amount being provided in FY2013 and FY2014. In

12 months, each team was required to deliver 22 prototypes and contractor support for a 14month comprehensive government testing program, which included blast, automotive, and user

evaluation testing. The overall EMD Phase was scheduled to last 33 months. According to the

Army, “the EMD Phase is designed to test and prepare the next-generation vehicles for a Limited

User Test, Capabilities Production Document and Milestone C procurement decision in FY

2015.”14

Unsuccessful bidders Navistar Defense, BAE Systems, and General Tactical Vehicles (a team of

General Dynamics and AM General) were permitted to continue developing JLTV candidate

Information in this section, unless otherwise noted is taken from a briefing from the Project Manager Joint Combat

Support Systems on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle given on February 7 and 8, 2011, and Tony Bertuca, “PMs: JLTV

Still Too Heavy, Changing Schedule and Losing Six-Man Variant,” InsideDefense.com, February 11, 2011.

11 DOD Briefing: “JLTV EMD Industry Day,” April 26, 2010.

12 Solicitation, Offer, and Award, Number W56HZV-11-R-0329, U.S. Army Contracting Command, January 26, 2012.

13 Information in this section is from U.S. Army Message, “Army Awards Three Joint Light Tactical Vehicle

Engineering & Manufacturing Development Phase Contracts,” Warren, Michigan, August 22, 2012.

14 Kris Osborn, Office of the Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, “JLTV Program

Moves into EMD Phase,” Army News Service, October 18, 2012.

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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

vehicles at their own risk and expense, if they notified the government within 30 days of the

EMD contract award.15 Reports suggested some bidders considered continuing development of

JLTV candidates for submission for production source selection.16

Army Releases Final RFP for JLTV Full-Rate Production17

On December 12, 2014, the Army reportedly released the final RFP for JLTV low-rate initial

production and full-rate production and gave competitors until February 10, 2016, to refine and

submit their bids. The Army—on behalf of itself and the Marines—planned to select a winner and

issue a single contract award in late summer 2016.

The winning contractor would build approximately 17,000 JLTVs for the Army and Marines

during three years of low-rate initial production, followed by five years of full-rate production.

The first Army unit would be equipped with JLTVs in FY2018, and the Army’s complete

acquisition of JLTVs would be completed in 2040. The Marines would begin acquiring their

5,500 JLTVs at the beginning of production and would be completed by FY2022.

Bids Submitted for JLTV Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP)18

It was reported that the three companies who were picked in 2012 to build prototypes—Oshkosh,

Lockheed Martin, and AM General—submitted their bids for the LRIP contract by the February

10, 2015, deadline. It was also reported that none of the three competitors had said publicly if

they included in their proposals an option for the Army to purchase a technical data package for

their vehicles. If the Army acquired the technical data package, theoretically the Army could use

that data for future production runs, which could enhance competition and possibly result in

better prices for the government.

Army Awards JLTV Contract19

On August 25, 2015, the Army awarded Oshkosh a $6.7 billion low rate initial production (LRIP)

contract with eight options to procure the initial 16,901 vehicles for the Army and Marines. The

JLTV is to be produced in Oshkosh, WI.20 A full rate production decision was planned for

FY2018 and called for the production of 49,100 JLTVs for the Army and 5,500 for the Marine

Corps.

15 Tony Bertuca, “Three JLTV Winners Announced; Losing Companies Still May Have a Shot,” InsideDefense.com,

August 23, 2012.

16 Ibid.

17 Information in this section is taken from Megan Eckstein, “Army Releases Final RFP for JLTV; Bids Due Feb. 10,”

Defense Daily, December 15, 2014.

18 Information in this section is taken from Sebastian Sprenger, “Companies Submit Bids for Joint Light Tactical

Vehicle,” InsideDefense.com, February 10, 2015.

19 Joe Gould, “Oshkosh Wins JLTV Award,” Defense News, August 25, 2015.

20 Courtney McBride, “Oshkosh Receives JLTV Order,” InsideDefense.com, March 23, 2016.

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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

Lockheed Martin’s JLTV Protest

Lockheed Martin Files Protest with the Government Accountability Office

(GAO)21

On September 8, 2015, Lockheed Martin reportedly planned a protest with GAO, with a program

spokesman stating the following:

After evaluating the data provided at our debrief, Lockheed Martin has filed a protest of

the award decision on the JLTV program. We firmly believe we offered the most capable

and affordable solution for the program. Lockheed Martin does not take protests lightly,

but we are protesting to address our concerns regarding the evaluation of Lockheed

Martin’s offer.22

Army Stops Work on the JLTV Contract23

On September 10, 2015, the Army reportedly issued a stop-work order to Oshkosh, with a GAO

spokesman noting, “The Federal Acquisition Regulation requires contracting officers to

automatically suspend performance on an awarded contract, following appropriate notification of

a protest from GAO.”24 On December 11, 2015, Lockheed Martin informed GAO that it would

file its JLTV protest instead with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. On December 15, 2015, GAO

closed Lockheed Martin’s protest “without further action.” With the GAO protest dismissed, the

Army lifted its stop-work order to Oshkosh on December 15, 2015.25 The U.S. Court of Federal

Claims denied Lockheed Martin’s stop-work request on February 11, 2016, meaning Oshkosh

could continue work associated with the JLTV contract until the court resolved the contract award

dispute.26

Lockheed Martin Withdraws JLTV Protest from United States Court of

Federal Claims27

On February 17, 2016, Lockheed Martin reportedly withdrew its JLTV protest in the U.S. Court

of Federal Claims.

21 Lee Hudson and Justin Doubleday, “Lockheed To File GAO Bid Protest After Losing JLTV Contract,”

InsideDefense.com, September 9, 2015.

22 Ibid.

23 Sebastian Sprenger, “Newly Awarded JLTV Work Comes To A Halt Amid Auditors’ Review,” InsideDefense.com,

September 10, 2015.

24 Ibid.

25 Sebastian Sprenger, “New Lockheed Suit Means JLTV Protest remains Undecided for Now,” InsideDefense.com,

December 16, 2015, and United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) Decision on the Matter of Lockheed

Martin Corporation, December 15, 2015.

26 Sebastian Sprenger, “Lockheed Martin Loses JLTV Stop-Work Request,” InsideDefense.com, February 12, 2016.

27 Jen Judson, “Lockheed Withdraws JLTV Complaint with U.S. Federal Court,” Defense News, February 17, 2016.

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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

JLTV LRIP Production Begins28

On March 22, 2016, the Army reportedly placed a $243 million order with Oshkosh Defense to

build 657 JLTVs, as well as 2,977 installation kits and related vehicle support LRIP items. The

first JLTVs were delivered in September 2016.29

Delay in JLTV Initial Operating Capability (IOC)30

Primarily due to program disruption resulting from the Lockheed Martin protest, the JLTV will

not reach IOC in mid-2019 as originally planned. Instead, the Army anticipates a six-month delay

in IOC until the end of 2019, and the Marine Corps IOC, originally expected for the fourth

quarter of FY2018, will now be a year later in the first quarter of FY2020. Although these delays

are significantly longer than the protest period, officials from both services noted their respective

IOCs were adjusted to reflect delays in scheduled testing.

Army Places $100 Million Order for JLTVs31

The Army reportedly ordered 258 JLTVs and 1,727 associated components in December 2017 for

a total of $100.1 million, with the estimated contract completion date May 31, 2019. According to

Oshkosh Defense, it had delivered more than 1,000 vehicles since October 2016, and soldiers and

Marines were expected to start receiving JLTVs for operational use in FY2019. Also in FY2019, a

full-rate production decision is expected, with an Army and Marine Initial Operating Capability

(IOC) expected in early FY2020.

Other JLTV Program-Related Developments

Air Force JLTV Acquisition32

In the near term, the Air Force plans to replace HMMWVs with JLTVs in its security forces,

explosive ordnance disposal, pararescue, tactical air control, and special tactics units. Reportedly,

the Air Force eventually would like to replace its entire 3,270 HMMWV fleet with JLTVs, but Air

Force budget documents detail JLTV procurement only from FY2019 through FY2022.

Marines Increase JLTV Requirement to 9,091 Vehicles33

The Marines reportedly plan to increase their JLTV requirement from 5,500 vehicles to 9,091

vehicles—about a 65% increase over the Marines’ original approved acquisition objective.

28 Information in this section is taken from Dan Parsons, “Army Cuts Oshkosh $243 Million Check for First JLTV

Production Lot,” Defense Daily, March 24, 2016, and Courtney McBride, “Oshkosh Receives JLTV Order,”

InsideDefense.com, March 23, 2016.

29 Connie Lee, “Oshkosh Receives JLTV Order; Schedules First Delivery,” InsideDefense.com, September 27, 2016.

30 Information in this section is from Jen Judson, “Humvee Replacement Delayed for Army and Marine Corps,”

Defense News, April 13, 2016.

31 Ashley Tressel, “Army Places $100 Million Order for JLTVs,” InsideDefense.com, December 21, 2017.

32 Rachael Karas, “Air Force to Begin JLTV Buy in FY-17 to Replace HMMWVs,” InsideDefense.com, June 22, 2017,

and Valerie Insinna, “Air Force’s Surprise JLTV Buy in FY 18 Could be Start of Larger Procurement Effort,”

DefenseNews.com, August 4, 2017.

33 Lee Hudson, “Marine Corps Official Says Commandant Seeks More Than 9,000 JLTVs,” InsideDefense.com, May

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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

Marine leadership reportedly wanted to acquire these additional vehicles as quickly as possible,

budget permitting. In June 2017 Marine Corps officials reportedly noted it would take “a couple

of years” to formally adjust their approved acquisition objective (AAO), meaning that eventually,

JLTVs would account for approximately half of the Marines’ light tactical vehicle fleet.

British Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Purchase of JLTV34

The British Army will reportedly acquire 2,747 JLTVs, valued at more than $1 billion, through

the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process.35 The sale also includes an armor kit, spare tires, and

fording gear, as well as training for vehicle operators and maintainers.

JLTV Procurement Extended One Year and Increased Total

Program Cost36

DOD reports both the Army and Marines have extended their procurement profiles due to

program strategy changes, primarily due to updating the mix of vehicle variants and kits. The

Army now plans to conclude its procurement in FY2036 and the Marines in FY2023. Total

program costs have also increased to $28.03 billion (a 10.9% increase), primarily due to the

increase in procurement profiles, increase in Marine Corps quantities to 9,091 vehicles, updates in

vehicle configuration and kit mix for the Army, updates in vehicles and kits based on the vehicle

configuration mix for the Marines, and an increase in other support and initial spares for the

Army and Marines.

DOD Inspector General (IG) Report and JLTV Production37

A redacted May 2, 2018, DOD IG report notes that, while the Army and Marine Corps developed

adequate test plans, the services had not demonstrated effective test results to prepare the JLTV

program for full rate production. The IG’s review of test results in August and September of 2017

determined the JLTV failed to meet all maintenance-related performance requirements. The IG

suggested certain capabilities be developed to address the shortfall, but specifics were redacted in

the public version of the report. The JLTV Program Executive Office (PEO) noted in response

that the program would equip all JLTVs with the unspecified capability cited in the IG’s report.

First Units Receive JLTV38

On January 28, 2019, the first JLTVs were delivered to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team

(ABCT), 3rd Infantry Division at Ft. Stewart, GA. Plans call for the 1st ABCT to be equipped with

17, 2017, and “Marines Will Adjust JLTV Quantity Requirement in a Couple of Years,” InsideDefense.com, June 19,

2017.

34 Matthew Cox, “UK Plans to Buy $1 Billion Worth of JLTVs,” Military.com, July 10, 2017.

35 For additional information on FMS, see CRS In Focus IF10392, Foreign Military Sales Congressional Review

Process, by Paul K. Kerr.

36 Department of Defense Comprehensive Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs) for the December 31, 2017, Reporting

Requirement as Updated by the President’s FY2019 Budget, p. 4 and Ashley Tressel, “JLTV Procurement Stretched by

One Year,” InsideDefense.com, April 5, 2018.

37 Department of Defense Inspector General, Army and Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, May 2, 2018, and

Ashley Tressel, “DOD IG Concerned with JLTV Preparedness,” InsideDefense.com, May 8, 2018.

38 Information in this section is taken from “Army’s Newest Vehicle Delivered to Soldiers at Ft. Stewart,” Army News

Service, January 28, 2019, “Marine Corps is Rolling Forward with Fielding New JLTV,” Marine Corps Systems

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Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

about 500 JLTVs by the end of March 2019. It is not known if the 500 JLTVs have been fielded

as of the date of this report. The Marines started fielding JLTVs at Camp Pendleton, CA, in

February 2019, with initial operational capability planned for late summer 2019.

Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E)39 FY2018

Annual Report

Among other things, DOT&E’s FY2018 Annual Report contended the following:



The JLTV General Purpose (GP), Heavy Guns Carrier (HGC), and Utility (UTL)

variants are operationally effective for employment in combat and tactical

missions.

The JLTV Close Combat Weapons Carrier (CCWC) is not operationally effective

for use in combat and tactical missions. The CCWC provides less capability to

engage threats with the Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW)

missiles over the fielded High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle

(HMMWV). The missile reload process is slow and difficult for crews.

All JLTVs are not operationally suitable because of deficiencies in reliability,

maintainability, training, manuals, crew situational awareness, and safety.40

JLTV Full-Rate Decision Delayed41

Reportedly, the Army decided to delay JLTV full-rate production, previously scheduled for

December 2018, until the early summer of 2019, in order to assess options for vehicle design

changes suggested by soldiers and marines during testing, potentially resulting in a program

schedule breach. Reportedly, the full-rate production decision could have been delayed until June

2019, but beyond that, it could trigger a Nunn-McCurdy42 breach, requiring, among other things,

a report to Congress and a new program schedule.

Command, December 20, 2018, and “First Joint Light Tactical Vehicles Rolling to the Field,” Army News Service,

December 20, 2018.

39 The Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) is the principal staff assistant and senior advisor to the

Secretary of Defense on operational test and evaluation (OT&E) in DOD. DOT&E is responsible for issuing DOD

OT&E policy and procedures; reviewing and analyzing the results of OT&E conducted for each major DOD

acquisition program; providing independent assessments to Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary of Defense for

Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD [AT&L]), and Congress; making budgetary and financial

recommendations to the Secretary of Defense regarding OT&E; and overseeing major DOD acquisition programs to

ensure OT&E is adequate to confirm operational effectiveness and suitability of the defense system in combat use.

http://www.dote.osd.mil/about/mission.html, accessed February 14, 2019.

40 Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E), FY2018 Annual Report, December 2018, p. 87.

41 Information in this section is taken from Jason Sherman, “Army Delays JLTV Full-Rate Production to Consider

Potential Design Changes,” InsideDefense.com, February 8, 2019.

42 The Nunn-McCurdy Act (10 U.S.C. §2433) requires the DOD to report to Congress whenever a Major Defense

Acquisition Program (MDAP) experiences cost overruns that exceed certain thresholds. The purpose of the act is to

help control cost growth in major defense systems by holding the appropriate Pentagon officials and defense

contractors publicly accountable and responsible for managing costs. When MDAPs experience cost growth of 15%

from their current baseline or 30% from their original baseline, they are in a “significant” Nunn-McCurdy Unit Cost

Breach. Sponsors must notify Congress within 45 calendar days after the report upon which the determination is based.

When MDAPs experience cost growth of 25% from their current baseline or 50% from their original baseline, they are

in a “critical” Nunn-McCurdy Unit Cost Breach. Programs in “critical” breach status are subject to detailed review for

potential termination; http://acqnotes.com/acqnote/careerfields/nunn-mccurdy-act, accessed February 15, 2019. For

Congressional Research Service

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

Army Approves JLTV Full-Rate Production43

On June 20, 2019, the ASA (ALT) approved Army JLTV full-rate production. The Army also

noted that in addition to the Fort Stewart, GA 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, JLTVs had been

successfully fielded to the Ordnance School at Ft. Lee, VA, the Reserves 84th Training Command

at Ft. McCoy, WI, the Marine School of Infantry – West at Camp Pendleton, CA, and the Marine

School of Infantry – East at Camp Lejeune, NC.

Marine Corps Addresses DOT&E Concerns and JLTV

Fielding Plans44

Marine Corps program officials reportedly worked through a number of the problems addressed

in DOT&E’s FY2018 Annual Report. They suggest that many of the problems identified in the

report can be addressed through improved tactics, techniques, and procedures and that some of

the issues identified, such as insufficient training manuals, were a result of program decisions

resulting from budget restrictions placed on the service. Marine officials also noted that legacy

HMMWVs had similar challenges identified during testing in 1986, but these issues were

resolved after fielding. In terms of reliability and maintainability, Marine officials noted

HMMWVs go between 500 to 600 miles between operational mission failures, compared to the

JLTV’s requirement of 2,400 miles before operational mission failure, which the JLTV has

surpassed during its developmental testing. Compared to HMMWVs, the JLTV is said to be less

burdensome in terms of maintenance, although JLTV maintenance may take a little longer due to

a need to remove armored panels and a more complex engine.

The Marines reportedly planned to field its first 55 JLTVs to support units at training locations,

including the School of Infantry West, School of Infantry East, and the Motor Transport

Maintenance Instructional Company, by the end of May 2019. Beginning in July 2019,

operational units are planned to receive their first vehicles (3rd Battalion, 8th Marines at Camp

Lejeune, NC), which will also signify the Marines Initial Operational capability (IOC). By the

end of FY2019, all three Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEFs)—1st MEF in Camp Pendleton,

CA; 2nd MEF in Camp Lejeune, NC; and 3rd MEF in Okinawa, Japan—will have received some

combination of all variants.

Army Considers Reducing Overall JLTV Acquisition45

On March 13, 2019, Army leadership reportedly announced the Army was considering lowering

its overall requirement for JLTVs. In order to free up funding for modernization, the Army

decided to cut funding over the next five years for 93 programs—including the JLTV. Army

officials noted the service already has 55,000 HMMWVs and 800 Infantry Squad Vehicles

additional information, see CRS Report R41293, The Nunn-McCurdy Act: Background, Analysis, and Issues for

Congress, by Moshe Schwartz and Charles V. O'Connor.

43 Program Executive Office for Combat Support & Combat Service Support, “Amy Approves JLTV Full-Rate

Production” June 21, 2019.

44 Information in this section is taken from Mallory Shelbourne, “Marine Corps to Field First JLTV, is Addressing

DOT&E Concerns,” InsideDefense.com, February 27, 2019, and Megan Eckstein, “Marine Corps Fields First JLTV

this Week; IOC Planned for July,” U.S. Naval Institute, February 27, 2019.

45 Information in this section is taken from Jen Judson, “U.S. Army Cuts Current Vehicle Fleet to make way for NextGen Tech,” InsideDefense.com, March 13, 2019, and Matthew Cox, “Army to Cut JLTV Buy to Pay for Future

Systems,” Militray.com, March 13, 2019.

Congressional Research Service

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV): Background and Issues for Congress

(ISVs), contending the Army “has more capability than we need.”46 Army officials reportedly

were looking to lower the overall requirement for JLTVs and would determine “a new top line

requirement soon.”47 On March 14, 2019, it was reported the Army planned to buy 1,900 fewer

JLTVs than originally planned, reducing program funding by nearly $800 million over the Future

Years Defense Plan (FYDP).48

FY2021 JLTV Program Reduction and Extended Procurement49

In order to free up funds for other Army modernization priorities, the Army plans a program

reduction in FY2021 of $201.6 million and will now extend the JLTV procurement by three years

until 2042. The Army’s approved Army Procurement Objective (APO) continues to be 49,909

vehicles. It is not known how this extended procurement will affect the Army’s overall fielding

plan or if future efforts to free up modernization funds will result in a lowered APO.

Army Plans to Recompete JLTV Follow-On Contract50

The Army also has indicated it plans compete a follow-on contract to be awarded in FY2022

intended to split the procurement between Oshkosh and a new competitor in order to drive down

costs. Depending on the outcome of this competition, the Army’s procurement strategy and

timeline might change again.

Department of Defense (DOD) FY2021

Budget Request51

The FY2021 presidential budget request includes RDT&E and procurement funding requests, as

well as FY2021-requested quantities in the base budget and Overseas Contingency Operations

(OCO) budget request.

Table 1. FY2021 DOD Budget Request—JLTV

Funding