M-ATV dangling five test-vehicle contracts

Via Army Times:

The Monday request for proposals (RfP) indicates that contractors will be required to service and repair the MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) in theater to a greater degree than previous vehicle contracts have mandated. Builders will have to provide “battle damage repair” packages of parts that can repair 25 vehicles battered by roadside bombs and similar threats, and “sustainment support” packages of enough consumables, parts, and major subassemblies to keep 2,000 vehicles running for two years, the request said.

The story indicates that the weight of the M-ATV will be only about two tons less than the MRAP, and draws the reasonable inference that M-ATV will not serve as a replacement for the JLTV program.