Marines to purchase 1,050 additional MaxxPro Dash vehicles

The MRAP has not given way entirely to the M-ATV.  Not just yet, anyway.

Before Oshkosh Truck pulled off its notable victory in the M-ATV competition, the Pentagon had already tried to field a lighter version of the MRAP better suited to the terrain in Afghanistan.  Navistar came up the winner with its MaxxPro Dash before putting its MXT armored vehicle platform up to compete for the M-ATV contracts.

Apparently MRAP lite still has its uses:

Navistar Defense, LLC has been awarded a $752 million contract to provide 1,050 enhanced International MaxxPro Dash Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The vehicles under the contract from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command will include the DXM independent suspension solution.
(Transworldnews.com)

Navistar wins another order for MaxxPro Dash

Navistar International continues to establish an impressive record in vying for armored vehicle contracts. Up through the summer of '08 the company was a close second to BAE Systems (maker of the RG-33 and the Caiman).

Navistar's initiative in developing the lighter MaxxPro Dash paid off with an order for 822 of the vehicles. On Dec. 11 the military ordered another 400. Since this order is for roughly the same number of vehicles ordered from BAE in March earlier this year, Navistar has overtaken BAE in that department.

They're doing something right at Navistar.

Video: the MaxxPro Dash

Navistar bigwigs describe the MaxxPro Dash at one of those defense hardware show & tell conventions.

The video is hosted at the Navistar Web site. Click download to download the .wmv file or visit the Web site first if you're the more cautious type.

clipped from navistar.mediaroom.com

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.