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Archive for the ‘Mobility’ Category

Mack Defense Secures New Five-Year Contract for M917A3 Heavy Dump Trucks with U.S. Army

Monday, August 11th, 2025

ALLENTOWN, PA (August 11, 2025) – Mack Defense has been awarded a new five-year contract to continue production of the U.S. Army’s M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck (HDT) for up to 450 trucks with a total contract value up to $221.8 million. This new agreement follows the successful fulfillment of the initial contract awarded in 2018 and comes after the company recently celebrated the production of its 500th M917A3 HDT in March 2025.


Mack Defense has been awarded a new five-year contract to continue production of the U.S. Army’s M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck (HDT) for up to 450 trucks with a total contract value up to $221.8 million.

“This contract represents continued confidence in our ability to deliver mission-critical vehicles to the U.S. Army,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. “The M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck is a commercial-based truck modified to meet mission-critical functionality that directly supports the Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard operations within the United States and around the world. This new contract award is a testament to the commitment of our team, which includes our supplier partners, as well as to the robust capabilities of this heavy tactical vehicle platform. We look forward to building and delivering more reliable, high-performance trucks that meet the demanding needs of our soldiers.”

The new contract, awarded June 24, 2025, will ensure continued production of the critically important M917A3 HDTs that support the U.S. military’s construction and infrastructure maintenance capabilities. These vehicles play a vital role in supporting construction and upkeep of airfields, roadways, landing strips, supply facilities, motor pools and in disaster relief for areas affected by severe weather.

Based on the commercially available Mack® Granite® model, the M917A3 HDTs are manufactured at Mack Defense’s dedicated production line at the Mack Experience Center (MEC) in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The specialized production facility has been in operation since 2021 following a $6.5 million investment to create a dedicated HDT production line, which leverages the capabilities and production work force of Mack’s main Lehigh Valley production operations located in Macungie, Pennsylvania.

“From day one, we’ve worked hard to foster a transparent, collaborative relationship – one that has helped ensure this program remains on track, on time and aligned with the Army’s evolving needs, said Derik Beck, senior director of sales, marketing and business development at Mack Defense. “We are also proud to continue working closely with U.S. Army, the U.S. Army Reserve and the various U.S. National Guard Adjutant Generals, whose ongoing support has been essential to the program’s success. As we move into the next phase, we’re committed to maintaining that level of engagement while also looking to our Congressional stakeholders for sustained support. This program is not only vital to Army readiness but also to preserving critical manufacturing jobs and capabilities within our U.S. industrial base.”

The M917A3 HDTs are spec’d with heavier-duty rear axles, all-wheel drive, increased suspension ride height and other ruggedized features to meet the unique requirements of the U.S. military. The vehicles also feature advanced technology including ABS, modern control interfaces and active safety systems.

The M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck is an essential asset to the Army’s Engineer Regiment, providing the mobility and durability needed to complete critical construction and infrastructure missions in diverse operational environments. Mack Defense is committed to delivering a high-quality, mission-ready vehicle that meets the Army’s evolving needs.

Since the initial contract award in 2018, which allowed for up to 683 trucks at a value up to $296 million, the U.S. military has ordered 549 HDTs from Mack Defense, with additional orders coming from both the U.S. Army and U.S. National Guard.

Mack Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mack Trucks, is responsible for the sale of heavy-duty trucks to federal- and ministerial-level customers globally. For more information, please visit www.mackdefense.com.

Engineered to Go Where Others Cannot

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

OTTO unveils DARKSTAR 1 — a mobile, all-terrain command unit built for rugged environments, delivering advanced communications to the edge of operations.

Built on the Polaris Xpedition ADV 5 platform, DARKSTAR 1,OTTO’s entry into the vehicle-based systems market, integrates a configurable suite of technologies, including dual-network Cradlepoint cellular, low-earth-orbit satellite, GPS tracking (for vehicle and personnel), multi-band UHF/VHF radios, inter-team P2P links, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and more. Zero-profile communication antenna arrays reduce exposure and preserve stealth in confined or obstructed environments.

“Our goal with DARKSTAR 1 was to extend OTTO’s legacy ofperformance into mobile command systems, delivering a compact, agile solution that gives teams a technological advantage where other solutions fail to go,” said Nick Lafferty, Tactical Systems and Solutions for OTTO Engineering.

Designed for use in all environments and high- (or low-) visibility situations, DARKSTAR 1 features the latest in digital off-road lighting from Tomar Electronics; users have full 360° control of the vehicle’s response and scene lighting. A programmable touch control panel offers the ability to customize lighting types depending on operating preferences, including a “BLACKOUT MODE,” which disables all visible light sources and switches over to IR off-road lighting/driving mode.

Enhanced visual awareness is provided by integrated EO/IR and thermal sensors, offering real-time visuals in low- or no-light conditions. Paired with the ATAK display system, operators can drive and navigate in complete darkness without helmet-mounted night vision. Live video can be securely streamed, stored locally, or backed up to the cloud. Optional features include real-time shot detection and additional sensor overlays.

Unlike traditional mobile systems designed for large vehicles, DARKSTAR 1 fills a critical gap, delivering real-time intelligence and communications in a compact, responsive package that can go virtually anywhere.

“We’re seeing growing demand for platforms that can bring technology deeper into challenging environments,” Lafferty added. “DARKSTAR 1 gives responders and operators the upper hand: speed, information, and connectivity when and where it’s needed most.”

Purpose-built in the USA to meet the needs and requirements of those who serve, DARKSTAR 1 combines OTTO’s legacy of reliability with a forward-looking innovation in a mobile command unit.

Available now from OTTO Communications. Contact info@ottoexcellence.com today for more information or sales.

Bundeswehr Requests Delivery of Over 1,000 Logistic Vehicles from Rheinmetall – Order Worth Around €770 Million

Monday, August 4th, 2025

The Bundeswehr has commissioned Rheinmetall to supply more than 1,000 logistic vehicles with a total value of around €770m gross. The order comprises 963 vehicles with swap-body systems, some with protected driver cabins, as well as swap-body flatbeds and tarpaulin-arch superstructures.

In addition, 425 unprotected transport vehicles (UTV) were requested for delivery. The UTVs are available in 4×4 and 8×8 versions.

“As a reliable partner of the Bundeswehr, we are delighted to be delivering additional vehicles and thus contributing to the mobility and operational readiness of the armed forces”, says André Barthel, Chairman of the Board of Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV). 

The delivery of the approximately 1,400 requested vehicles will take place before the end of this year. The orders have been booked for the third quarter of 2025. 

The UTVs are c signed in July 2024 – the largest order in the company’s history in the field of logistics vehicles. It provides for the delivery of up to 6,500 vehicles with a gross value of up to €3.5bn. The framework contract allows the Bundeswehr to flexibly order additional quantities of the UTV 5t and UTV 15t models, which are already in service, over a period of seven years. In addition, the new vehicle class, which is now part of the call-off, was introduced via the framework contract. This is the 4×4 variant UTV 3.5 t, which has a maximum number of common parts with the UTV family.
The UTV family has already been contributing significantly to the performance of the Bundeswehr’s logistics units for several years. In July 2017, the Bundeswehr commissioned RMMV to supply its new ‘UTV mil gl in cargo load classes 5t and 15t’ family. Thanks to the use of flexible framework contracts concerning large quantities in military procurement, the UTVs have become a showcase project. Since 2017, around 7,000 HX vehicles have been delivered to the Bundeswehr together with swap-bodies and 70-tonne semi-trailer units.

UTV and swap-body systems are based on RMMV’s robust HX vehicle family. Designed for military use, they offer outstanding mobility even in difficult terrain.

The worldwide distribution of the HX vehicle family provides significant advantages in terms of interoperability and logistics, particularly for multinational operations. In addition to Germany, current users are the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Hungary, Singapore, Slovenia, Denmark and the Ukraine. The new order highlights the high acceptance of the proven HX vehicles. More than 20,000 vehicles are already in use worldwide. 

NP Aerospace Launches Their Proven Through-Life Support Services Package into the Civilian Armoured Vehicles Market

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025

NP Aerospace, the global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, has launched their proven through-life support services package into the Civilian Armoured Vehicles (CAVs) market. NP Aerospace currently supports over 18,000 vehicles across 30+ armoured, tactical, logistic and utility fleet types for a range of customers, globally, including the UK PMETS and CVSSP contracts. The know-how, practices and procedures developed to deliver this support are now being specifically shaped and offered into the global CAV marketplace, where it is estimated that there are over 100,000 vehicles in service across military, government, NGO and private security applications.

Support in this sector, to date, has been ad-hoc and decentralised. This fresh initiative will offer a one-stop-shop for fleet managers, no matter what vehicle types they may be operating.

In 2024, following the acquisition of certain assets of Jankel Armouring Limited, NP Aerospace inherited an established business stream in the specialist area of CAVs that includes both product (armoured vehicle designs, such as the Toyota Land Cruiser LC300) and support services, delivered to a range of globally deployed in-service CAV fleets – around 100+ vehicles across 8 customers. In the last 12 months, a number of former Jankel supply and support CAV contracts have been novated to NP Aerospace and the continued support to global customers has been a key requirement of that transition process. Now, 12 months on, NP Aerospace is launching the CAV support capability offering more widely, to ensure that the very best support services can be delivered to current customers but also to expand that proven service offering across the global fleets. Potential new CAV support clients range from ministries of defence to NGO’s, and individual vehicle fleets are widely spread in terms of deployed geography. NP Aerospace recognises the resultant challenges and has developed a robust service offering that can be trusted to deliver and includes the additional and significant capabilities and expertise developed through NP’s legacy activity in this operationally critical vehicle support services arena.

Specifically, NP’s CAV support services package is vehicle type agnostic and includes: handover and commissioning; operator and maintainer training; deployed support (Field Service Representation – FSR); spare parts; service and maintenance; post design services; refurbishment and mid-life improvements; and secure disposal/destruction. NP Aerospace has recently increased the team size of this department by 50%, attracting some key talent to specific roles, to enable the successful delivery of this service offering – reassuring their specialist CAV customers.

James Kempston, CEO of NP Aerospace, commented: “This is an exciting milestone as we expand our proven through-life support services into the civilian armoured vehicle (CAV) market. Drawing on our experience supporting over 18,000 military and security platforms worldwide, we are applying our expertise and trusted capabilities to civilian fleets, regardless of their operating environment. Importantly, this support isn’t limited to vehicles we manufacture – it can be delivered for any vehicle type, operated by any fleet manager, anywhere in the world.” He added: “At the same time, our LC300 armoured Toyota platform not only meets key requirements for compliance, protection, and safety – it’s also engineered with a strong focus on reliability and maintainability. By combining competitive pricing with extended service life through robust support, the LC300 delivers outstanding full-life value.”

Protected Logistics Truck: Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Presents New TGS-Mil Protected

Sunday, July 13th, 2025

At the RMMV Mobility Days, which were held for the first time this year, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) presented its new TGS-Mil Protected armoured truck. The TGS-Mil Protected is based on the TG-generation of military trucks produced by RMMV in Vienna. The TGS-Mil Protected model on display is equipped with a protected cabin for two persons. The solution developed by Rheinmetall complies with current NATO standards and is available in 6×6 and 8×8 variants.

Thanks to its modular design philosophy, the vehicle can be adapted to a wide range of mission profiles, including protection levels, communication systems, and specialised payload options.

With the TGS-Mil Protected, RMMV is specifically targeting a broad and growing segment of the international market that demands protected logistical mobility combined with long-term cost efficiency. The development of this vehicle highlights RMMV’s commitment to continuously adapt its militarized truck portfolio to evolving mission requirements and geopolitical developments. With the TGS-Mil Protected, RMMV can now offer both protected and unprotected variants within the same modular system, providing flexibility, fleet harmonisation and reduced life-cycle costs for new and already existing customers alike.

The TGS-Mil Protected is powered by a MAN D2676 six-cylinder diesel engine with up to 382 kW/520 hp and up to 2,650 Nm of torque. The engine complies with Euro II, V and VIe-standards and is compatible with NATO fuel F34. The drive and chassis systems are based on proven components from the civilian sector, which simplifies maintenance and worldwide service. The all-wheel drive ensures excellent off-road capabilities.

The RMMV Mobility Days 2025 were held under the motto ‘Innovation in Motion’. Around 120 participants from 22 countries gathered in Vienna for the event. They received information about RMMV’s current products and activities. The programme included a factory tour at the long-standing production facility in Vienna-Liesing which has recently been upgraded with a state-of the-art logistics system and digitised manufacturing processes. In future, around 4,000 HX and TG vehicles can be produced here each year to meet growing global demand. RMMV also demonstrated the versatility and off-road capabilities of its vehicle families (HX and TG) on an off-road site near Vienna. In addition, future technologies such as tele-operated driving and autonomous mobility were also part of the presentation.

Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) is the competence centre for professional military and militarised logistics trucks within the Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems Division. The joint venture, headquartered in Munich, is one of the world’s leading providers of defence solutions in the field of land mobility logistics, in which Rheinmetall AG holds a 51 per cent majority stake and MAN Truck & Bus SE holds the remaining 49 per cent. Together with its predecessor companies, RMMV can look back on more than 100 years of experience in truck manufacturing for the most demanding military applications.

USACE Marks 250 Years with Pivotal Support to the Army’s Birthday

Friday, July 4th, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the U.S. Army celebrated its 250th anniversary June 14 with a birthday festival and parade in the nation’s capital, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was hard at work behind the scenes and on the logistical front lines. In a powerful intersection of history and engineering excellence, USACE’s contributions helped ensure parade success while also symbolizing its own 250th anniversary of building and defending the nation.

Just two days later, June 16, USACE marked its own 250th anniversary, dual milestones that illustrate the organization’s longstanding role in supporting the nation and the warfighter.

“Army engineers have served and strengthened America since 1775,” said Lt. Gen. William “Butch” Graham Jr., USACE commanding general and 56th Chief of Engineers. “We are proud to carry on that legacy as we continue engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges.”

Protecting the Parade Route: USACE Baltimore District installs protective plating

One of the parade’s logistical challenges was how to safely operate heavy tracked vehicles like the M1 Abrams main battle tanks, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, M109 Paladins and M88 Hercules recovery vehicles through the heart of Washington, D.C. In particular, the Abrams, weighing more than 140,000 pounds and nearly 30 times the weight of a standard SUV, could have posed a risk to city streets, especially at any turning points where tracked vehicles must pivot, creating added stress and friction on asphalt.

To help protect the parade route, USACE Baltimore District spearheaded the installation of metal plating at critical 13 pivot points along the route. These protective measures ensured that turns and idling points where tracked vehicles exert the most pressure would not result in damage to the roads.

“The infrastructure protection plan was a success,” said Baltimore District Commander Col. Francis Pera. “Close coordination with partner agencies allowed us to honor our rich history while preserving the structural integrity of D.C.’s roadways.”

Plate removal was complete by June 17 and officials determined the protective plates performed as intended. Subsurface inspections will also be completed in the coming weeks in conjunction with the NPS.

Beyond the protective plating, other key precautions included installation of new rubber track pads on all tracked vehicles to avoid the stresses of direct metal-on-pavement contact, and slow driving speeds that allowed vehicle crews to exercise maximum caution as they moved along the route.

Geospatial Precision: AGC mapping supports parade safety and planning

Beyond road protection, the Army Geospatial Center (AGC) played a crucial role in assessing the parade route through geospatial analysis. The Geospatial Visualization Team (GVT) from the Warfighter Support Directorate’s Engagements Branch conducted ground-based video reconnaissance both before and after the Army’s 250th Birthday parade to support damage assessments and potential repair planning.

Using vehicle-mounted cameras, the team captured more than 155 gigabytes of high-resolution 4K video from both the front and rear perspectives of the route. Engineers then reviewed and analyzed the footage to identify any signs of road damage directly linked to the movement of tracked and heavy wheeled Army vehicles.

Keeping the Mission on Track: ERDC optimizes vehicle transport

Further north in Jessup, Maryland, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) played a pivotal role in the logistical success of the parade. With just hours to offload more than 60 heavy combat vehicles, engineers turned to ERDC’s Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading (RAIL) system, a mobile solution built to speed up rail operations while reducing manpower and safety risks.

“The RAIL system for rail ops proved 100% critical for timely operations,” said Col. Brandon Perdue, NORTHCOM Plans Team chief. “This system reduced download and upload times from about 2.5 days on both ends to just a few hours. Without this system, the only option for tracked vehicle download was a single crane.”

The modular RAIL system was designed to offload military vehicles at any point along a rail line, providing greater operational flexibility to quickly move combat power where and when it’s needed most. Two RAIL systems were used to simultaneously unload the various tracked and wheeled vehicles. Soldiers received onsite training from ERDC experts, proving how the organization’s innovation directly supports mission readiness and modern solutions.

Building the Nation, Supporting the Army

As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues celebrating 250 years of service to the nation, the role of Army Engineers remains vital. From battlefield engineering in the Revolutionary War to modern-day infrastructure, mapping and mobility solutions, Army Engineers continue to deliver solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges.

By MAJ Spencer Garrison and Kathryne Gest

First Success for Rheinmetall Ermine – Dutch Ministry of Defence Orders 20 Manned/Unmanned Ground Vehicles for Ukraine

Friday, June 27th, 2025

The Dutch Ministry of Defence has, on behalf of the Ukraine Task Force, signed a contract with the Ede-based subsidiary Rheinmetall Defence Nederland B.V. to supply 20 Ermine vehicles. The Minister of Defence signed the contract with Rheinmetall on the 24th of June during the NATO Industry Summit in The Hague.

The variants now ordered are manned/unmanned ground vehicles. These are to be delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces, strengthening their capability for casualty evacuation near the frontline. The vehicles are to be delivered in 2026. In this configuration, a cooperation with other Dutch companies like DEMCON defense & security systems B.V. & Abiom Communication Systems (ACS) B.V. has been set up as a force multiplier. This national cooperation among industry and MoD will further develop knowledge and capabilities for the Armed Forces of the Nether­lands and Ukraine. Quote by Coen van Leeuwen, CEO of Rheinmetall Defence Nederland B.V.: “We are grateful for the trust in our capacities. Ermine is an innovative and capable solution for the modern battlefield.”

The Ermine (Hermelin) family of small vehicles represents a new generation of mobility, combining tactical transport with a mobile energy source (microgrid). Operational creativity is at the core Ermine’s design. Its features enable it to act as an effective force multiplier. 

The modular Ermine family currently consists of an UGV, a side-by-side buggy and a quad. Various 4×4 and 6×6 variants are available. All vehicles are based on the same diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain and base platform. This gives the Ermine maximum modularity with unrivalled agility. Thanks to the hybrid technology, up to one ton of payload, and a range of more than 1,000 kilometres are possible, depending on the vehicle’s configuration. Up to four Ermine vehicles can be transported by cargo helicopters such as the CH-47 or CH-53. 

This contract marks the first significant milestone for the Ermine and will, by supporting the Ukraine armed forces, also boost the defence industry in the Netherlands. 

Supacat Asia Pacific Signs a New Strategic Alliance Agreement with ISTEC Services Limited

Thursday, June 26th, 2025

Supacat Asia Pacific, a leading provider of specialist defence vehicles and support solutions has just signed a new strategic alliance agreement with ISTEC Services Limited, a British company with 36 years of operationally proven experience in the design, manufacture, supply and support of complex weapon integration solutions for military platforms, to collectively enhance regional defence and security solutions.

Supacat Asia Pacific welcome ISTEC to Supacat Asia Pacific Global Partners which is a partnership that leverages the strengths of the global supply chain and enables more comprehensive solutions to be offered to better serve regional customers. This strategic alliance brings together Supacat Asia Pacific’s proven expertise in high-mobility defence platforms and ISTEC Services’ specialised technical capabilities with weapon mounting solutions for military use across land, sea and air platforms, thus creating a powerful combination to enhance capability for military, law enforcement and security organisations throughout the region.

ISTEC has over 20 years of expertise providing Supacat UK with weapon mount solutions across the Jackal fleet supporting Urgent Operational Requirements for the UK Ministry of Defence. This strategic alliance ensures that Supacat Asia Pacific can also leverage ISTEC’s expertise to collectively deliver superior integrated defence solutions, whilst expanding their combined technical capabilities and market reach in a competitive defence sector.

Anne Quelch Director of ISTEC Services, added: “We are excited to form a strategic alliance with Supacat Asia Pacific and join their Global Partners, whose reputation for innovation and quality aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence. This collaboration will enable us to deliver enhanced value to our customers while expanding our service capabilities.”

Bruce Tait Managing Director of Supacat Asia Pacific commented: “ISTEC Services represents a significant step forward in our regional strategy. This partnership is in addition to our existing mount suppliers which we will continue to support. It provides additional comprehensive offering to the customers across all environments, by combining our strengths, we can offer our customers more comprehensive solutions and superior support throughout the Asia Pacific region.”