The US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) has awarded a contract valued at more than $82.6m to Oshkosh Defence, a division of the Oshkosh Corporation to recapitalise 292 heavy equipment mobility tactical truck (HEMTT) A4s.

The programme involves returning the HEMTT A0 and HEMTT A2 variants to Oshkosh, where they will be stripped to the frame rails and completely rebuilt to meet the specifications of the new HEMTT A4.

The improvements to the vehicle will include a fully air-conditioned and armour-ready cab, more powerful drive train, improved suspension, safety improvements and other structural changes to make installation of add-on-armour in the field quicker and easier.

The HEMTT has been in service in the US Army’s logistics fleet since 1985 and has fulfilled critical resupply missions including fuel servicing, load handling system and cargo missions.

Oshkosh’s work on the HEMTT A4 recap is expected to be completed by April 2009.

By Daniel Garrun.