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Background – TAPV Project – Oshkosh M-ATV TAPV Derivative |
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Update: 08 June 2012 – DND has announced that Textron Systems Canada has been awarded a $603M
contract as TAPV contest winner.
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MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle Begets a TAPV by Oshkosh
M-ATV is Oshkosh Defense's winning submission for the US military's improved-mobility MRAP program. Aimed at
Afghan conditions specifically, M-ATV is smaller, lighter, and more tractable than previous MRAPs. As such,
there was no surprise in Oskosh Defence being the first to offer a TAPV candidate. As revealed, this TAPV
demonstrator differs little from the standard US M-ATV. Most obvious are the rather large stowage boxes now
sprouting from the vehicle's unprotected, open-framed and modular rear area.
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Spring, Sprung, Sprang – Independent Suspensions
The feature that provides the M-ATV and hence its TAPV derivative with improved mobility is the Oshkosh patented TAK-4 independent suspension system. At present, each wheel
provides 40 cm independent travel although TAK-4 is being developed to provide more than 50 cm of travel in future.
By design, this Oshkosh vehicle is smaller [1] than early MRAPs but will that remain a competitive advantage
when the larger TAPV entrants have similar suspensions?
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Or does Oshkosh intend to develop a somehow enlarged variant to match the TAPV General
Utility requirements ? So far, US M-ATV variants involve two cab types – basic 4-door version as one the
TAPV demonstrator and a short cab 2-door logistics version. No sign of any 7-seat variant for TAPV. The use of the
Dual Remote Weapon Station is also odd. This DRWS is made by Elbit, a direct competitor for the TAPV contract
as a member of Team Timberwolf.
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Oshkosh M-ATV - Derived TAPV Candidate Specifications
| Crew: |
[Recce] 4 (driver, veh cdr, gunner,
operator)
[Utility] 7 (driver, cdr, gunner + 4 dismounts) |
Armament:
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Elbit Dual Remote Weapon Station (DRWS),
1 x 40mm AGL or 12.7mm HMG + 1 x 7.62mm |
| Size: |
Length 6.27 m, width 2.49 m, height
2.7 m [2] |
| Weight: |
Curb weight: 11.34 t, gross weight: 14.70 t [2] |
Powerplant:
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370 hp 6-cyl. Caterpillar C7 7.2L turbo-diesel,
Allison 3500 SP 6-spd auto transmission |
| Performance: |
Max speed: 105 km/h, cruising range: 515 km |
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[1] One other competitor for TAPV is actually slightly smaller than the Oshkosh M-ATV-derived vehicle, the
French Nexter VBHP Aravis.
[2] NB: the quoted vehicle height and empty/combat weights are not specific to the TAPV demonstrator.
These are based on the M-ATV.
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No mechanical mysteries for Oshkosh's TAPV candidate – the running gear would be the same as the US
M-ATV. That would be a Caterpillar C7 turbo-diesel engine mated to an Allison 3500
SP automatic transmission (similar to those used in
the 
As already noted, Oshkosh's M-ATV has a size advantage over some of its larger TAPV competitors – at
least so far as the TAPV Reconnaissance variant goes. TAPV Recce requires a crew of four and turret or a RWS. So
far, so good. But, commited as it is to M-ATV's 5-seat 'crew citadelle', how will Oshkosh match the TAPV
Project's General Utility requirement? The APC will seat seven. Will Oshkosh stretch that 'citadelle'? Will an
armoured shelter mount on the rear? No clues yet but it'll be interesting. Meet that challenge and Oshkosh may
capitalize on being first out of the TAPV gate.