Oshkosh Offers Marines Rapid JLTV Deliveries as A2 Production Falls Behind
Oshkosh Defense has given the Marine Corps until Oct. 31 to accept a proposal that could place new Joint Light Tactical Vehicles in Marines’ hands within 10 months.
The Wisconsin-based defense contractor is offering to continue producing its A1 version of the JLTV as a temporary solution while AM General works through delays affecting production of the newer A2 model.
Oshkosh describes its proposal as a “production bridge” intended to prevent the Marine Corps’ vehicle modernization program from falling further behind. The company says the plan would supplement—not replace—AM General’s contract.
Oshkosh previously served as the sole supplier of JLTVs to the Army and Marine Corps after receiving the original production contract in 2015. In 2023, AM General won the follow-on contract to manufacture the upgraded JLTV A2.
However, AM General has reportedly experienced significant delays while transitioning the vehicle into production. Some lawmakers have claimed the program is nearly two years behind schedule.
Oshkosh says it is prepared to deliver as many as 1,200 A1 JLTVs annually, with the first vehicles reaching the Marine Corps approximately 10 months after an agreement is finalized.
To support the proposal, the company says it has committed more than $50 million of its own money toward production capacity and long-lead materials. Oshkosh’s existing JLTV production line has remained active through commercial and international orders.
The Oct. 31 deadline is tied to the company’s current workforce, manufacturing space and supplier commitments. If the Marine Corps waits beyond that date, Oshkosh says it will need to reevaluate the delivery schedule and other terms of the offer.
Company representatives say the Marine Corps is aware of both the deadline and the reasoning behind it but has not indicated whether it intends to accept the proposal.
Without an order from the service, Oshkosh may redirect its production capacity toward maintaining existing JLTV fleets, fulfilling international orders or supporting other military programs based on the JLTV platform, including ROGUE Fires.
The Marine Corps signaled interest in additional production options in May when it issued a solicitation seeking a second JLTV supplier. The service said it was looking for a mature, production-ready vehicle that could be fielded rapidly with little or no additional development.
At the time, Marine officials said the service regularly reviews acquisition alternatives to meet its approved JLTV requirements, maintain readiness and reduce the risks associated with delayed fielding.
The Marine Corps is requesting $244.9 million in its fiscal year 2027 budget to purchase more than 340 JLTV A2s. Its total acquisition objective is approximately 12,500 vehicles, but Oshkosh estimates that fewer than 60 percent of those vehicles have been delivered.
Concerns about the A2 program have also reached Congress. In June, Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin criticized the delays and questioned the Army’s management of one of the Defense Department’s largest vehicle contracts.
AM General has attributed the setbacks to the complexity of taking over and upgrading the JLTV production program. Company leadership has said it expects to reach full-rate production in 2027.
Despite competing with AM General for military vehicle contracts, Oshkosh officials insist their proposal is not intended to undermine the A2 program. The company says its objective is to keep vehicles flowing to operational units while giving AM General additional time to stabilize production.
The Marine Corps has not publicly announced whether it will accept Oshkosh’s offer.