WASHINGTON — AM General, producer of the A2 variant of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), addressed concerns from lawmakers regarding delayed funding for the Marine Corps’ procurement due to production setbacks. The company attributed the delays to “complex” transition challenges during the switch from Oshkosh Defense as the sole supplier.
House defense subcommittee officials proposed cutting $133 million from the A2 program’s $245 million budget to reallocate funds to non-developmental JLTVs and trailers. In a statement, AM General CEO John Chadbourne emphasized that transitions between suppliers involve significant complexity, compounded by inherited technical issues and supplier coordination problems.
“Transitions of major defense programs inherently involve unforeseen complexities,” Chadbourne explained. “The JLTV A2 transition required extensive effort to mature the design and resolve supplier integration challenges.” The company aims to achieve full-rate production by 2027.
Previously, Oshkosh Defense exclusively supplied JLTVs to the Army-Marine joint program. AM General’s 2023 takeover of the A2 variant required managing the supplier transition, though Chadbourne stated the Army had not mandated a second full-rate production cycle since Oshkosh’s prior success.
Lawmakers expressed concern over the A2’s 20-month delay, noting approximately 2,000 vehicles were behind schedule. The Marine Corps recently sought alternative suppliers for rapidly deployable JLTVs or trailers to meet its 12,500-vehicle requirement. House officials recommended reducing A2 funding while increasing support for non-developmental options.
Oshkosh Defense countered by proposing to reintroduce its A1 model to address immediate readiness gaps. Chadbourne countered that the A2 variant offers “significant advancements,” including improved capabilities and lower lifecycle costs for the Department of Defense.
