General Dynamics and Force Protection to produce test vehicles for MRAP lite

Though Navistar must be called the initial winner in the MRAP lite competition, Kris Osborn reports that two other companies received smaller orders from the Pentagon.

But Navistar may not remain the Pentagon’s sole source for the smaller MRAPs. The contract also provides $7 million apiece to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada and Force Protection for five test vehicles.

All vehicles are slated to be delivered by February, according to the contract announcement. The vehicles will be deployed to Afghanistan, a senior Pentagon official said.

(Army Times)

I'll add that the choice of the MaxxPro for service in Afghanistan should contribute to lessen the perception that the Navistar MRAP is especially prone to rollover. Though to be fair that perception may be principally limited to Force Protection fans/agitators.