Marine Corps Logistics Command Albany, Ga. -- The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Roadshow team updated Marine Corps Logistics Command Marines and civilian-Marines on the progress of the JLTV program in the Multipurpose Room, April 9.
Andrew Rodgers, program manager, Light Tactical Vehicles, discussed the latest developments of the program before the attendees put their hands on the vehicle.
“Last year was the second of a three-year fielding roadshow where we were still giving predictive information,” Rodgers said. “When I was here in April 2018, we were in the conclusion of the multiservice operational evaluation and test event where we were collecting data and didn’t know how everything was going to turn out.”
Now one year later, the program is in its execution phase, according to Rodgers.
“We have completed the multiservice operational evaluation and test event, which is basically our graduating event to say we have a qualified vehicle,” he said. “We have also completed both operator and maintainer manuals and have gone through a cost assessment, which is to say the vehicle is affordable.”
The JLTV program manager noted the decision was made to field the JLTV on Dec. 12, 2018.
“On February 28, the first JLTV was fielded at the School of Infantry West in Camp Pendleton, California, and March 14 the second one fielded at SOI East in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina,” Rodgers pointed out. “As of now, we have fielded 18 vehicles between the two SOIs.”
He stated the JLTV Program has had a very tight working relationship with Marine Corps Logistics Command and Marine Corps Systems Command.
“This goes back to when I was working the Humvee program from 2003-2007,” he continued. “There are many people that I have worked with for a better part of two decades. I have learned many lessons as an early acquisitions guy back on Humvee program and I understand that 51 percent of the lifecycle of a vehicle is born out of the sustainment. The key of the sustainment is having a good relationship with LOGCOM.”
According to Rodgers, equipment specialist and item managers from the JLTV Program and Weapons Systems Management Systems, MARCORLOGCOM, have worked tirelessly on the program.
“They have gone through both the operating and maintainer manuals line by line and have exercised the entire system to remove and replace everything to make sure the manuals are the best thing we can provide the warfighter,” he emphasized.
He explained why and how warfighters will benefit from the JLTV.
“The JLTV brings back the balance of the iron triangle, payload, performance and protection,” he said. “We lost that balance in 2004 as we began fielding Humvees with additional armor on them. We had payload and performance but no protection.
“When you put 3,000 pounds of armor on the vehicle, you lose your payload all together and your performance start degrading,” he continued. “We have been running an overburdened Humvee fleet up until now.
Rodgers said the JLTV concept was born in 2005-2006.
“The goal is to rebalance the iron triangle,” he stated. “With the JLTV, you have the payload, performance and full protection the warfighter needs.”
According to Rodgers, the lifecycle of a JLTV is 20 years.
“The Humvee was fielded in 1984 and it will go through 2030,” he said. “The JLTV can actually carry (the Marine Corps) through the entire 21st Century.
“By default, you are looking at an opportunity for Marine Corps Logistics Command to basically keep the vehicle sustained,” he pointed out. “For a $250,000 investment for the base truck, you have the Marine Corps Logistics Command contingent that can go through an Inspect and Repair as Needed or Return to condition Code A and keep it serviceable until the dawn of the 22nd Century.”
He also explained the JLTV is a component vehicle meaning the Marines can modify the vehicle for different types of missions.
“You can put a troop seat kit in the back, spare tire, combat winch, bumper and or several different types of radios,” he said. “We have yet to find a full range of opportunities. What is the JLTV going to look like in 30-40 years, I don’t know but that is a good thing.”
Mack Williams, director, Ground Transportation Engineer Systems Division, WSMC, MARCORLOGCOM, has a team dedicated to support the JLTV Program.
“The team brings together the core competencies that Marine Corps Logistics Command provides to the Marine Corps,” Williams said. “We provide the inventory management and coordinate the maintenance execution for the JLTV. We also work with other LOGCOM organizations as it relates to the distribution, shipping, transportation and warehousing of the JLTV. We coordinate all the LOGOCOM functions in support of the weapon system.”
He said the roadshow went very well and a lot of information was passed including programmatic requirements and how the JLTV will replace the Humvee.
“We heard that the JLTV is going to be a one for one replacement for the Humvee,” he stated. “Last year, they were looking at two to one or three to one ratio.
“Also, I am glad (the program manager, Light Tactical Vehicles) was able to talk about the programmatic changes and how it is going to impact the Marine Corps,” he concluded. “This also gives MARCORLOGCOM an opportunity to prepare its self so it can be ready to provide the support as the requirement changes.”