US Marine JLTV Ready to Deploy
The Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), the replacement for the HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) or Humvee series, has been given the green light by US Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Combat Development and Integration. Almost a year ahead of schedule, the JLTV is expected to deploy operationally with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines from II MEF (Marine Expeditionary Force) being the first USMC combat unit to receive the new vehicles.
I MEF and III MEF are due to receive the vehicles by September. The USMC’s Schools of Infantry, Basic School at Quantico and the Motor Transport Maintenance Instruction Course at Camp Johnson have all received their allotment of JLTV platforms to enable training and familiarisation to begin.
The early pass-mark for the JLTV led to a rare moment of praise for the US Army (who are lead agency for the JLTV adoption) from the Marines with PEO Land Systems John Garner noting:
“The warfighting capabilities the JLTV provides our Marines far exceed the capabilities offered by its predecessor… I’m proud of what our team, in collaboration with the Army, has accomplished. Their commitment to supporting the warfighter delivered an exceptional vehicle, ahead of schedule, that Marines will use to dominate on the battlefield now and well into the future.”
The Marines are also saving budgetary dollars by re-using elements of the older Gunner’s Protection Kit (GPK) system from their HMMWV fleet on two of their new JLTV variants. The Heavy Guns Carrier will receive the Marine Corps Transparent Armor Gun Shield (MCTAGS) whilst the Close Combat Weapons Carrier variant will receive the Improved TOW GPK or I-TGPK kit for mounting the TOW II anti-tank guided missile platform.
The JLTV will be issued in four basic configurations to the Marine Corps; M1280 General Purpose, M1279 Utility Vehicle, M1278 Heavy Guns Carrier and M1281 Close Combat Weapons Carrier. The Utility is a two door variant that will typically be partnered with a trailer for resupply missions whilst all the others are four door and will be equipped with armour kits dependent on threat level.