Companies Highlight Advances and Modifications to Meet Army’s Future Hauling Needs
Vendors involved in the US Army’s Common Tactical Truck (CTT) initiative are eagerly awaiting the program’s final request for proposals (RFP), showcasing advancements and modifications they believe will meet the Army’s future hauling needs.
Vendors Prepare for Next Phase
„We are really waiting for the new requirements specifications to come out. That will tell us where we need to adjust,” said David Shuler, Program Manager for the CTT at Rheinmetall’s American arm, at the GVSETS 2025 Conference in Michigan last week. Shuler expects the final RFP in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Mack Defense has introduced enhancements to ensure its platform is „mission ready for the next phase” and the „Army’s evolving requirements,” according to a company spokesperson. Oshkosh Defense’s Pat Williams stated that the manufacturer has been enhancing capabilities to offer capable, flexible logistics platforms while „monitoring next steps of the program closely.”
Background: Rapid Prototyping Phase
In 2023, the Army awarded Other Transaction Authorities agreements to American Rheinmetall, Mack Defense, Navistar Defense, and Oshkosh Defense to develop load handling, off-road tractor, and on-road line haul prototypes, along with digital designs and studies. The Army envisions CTT as „an essential transportation link between strategic ports and the ‘Tip of the Spear,’ providing Multi-Domain Operation forces with the ability to deploy, move, and maneuver where and when desired to accomplish the mission,” according to its website.
The rapid prototyping phase included multiple tests with platforms from the four suppliers to determine if commercially based vehicles could meet military needs. These trials aimed to inform the definition and refinement of requirements for the program’s next phase, replacing the in-service fleets of the M915 Line Haul Tractor, M1088 Medium Tractor, Palletized Load System, and Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck.
Rheinmetall’s HX3 Truck
Rheinmetall partnered with GM Defense, offering its HX3 truck, which was displayed at the GVSETS Conference in its load handling variant. „We did about 11 months of testing. One of the things tested was fordability. Trucks needed to ford 48 inches of water, and all the things they asked our trucks to do, they did very well,” Shuler said.
The HX3 is the third generation of Rheinmetall’s HX High Mobility family of vehicles, used by armed forces in multiple countries. Rheinmetall implemented modifications to better meet the Army’s needs, including a requirement for three seats.
Oshkosh’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV)
Oshkosh provided platforms from its Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV). „While we cannot share specifics about the CTT testing, we are pleased with how testing concluded,” Williams said. He added that the government conducted a closeout In-Process Review with Oshkosh in May, and the company was delighted with the test results and the soldier-centric feedback it received.
Oshkosh FHTV was designed to conduct the Army’s large-haul missions and has been continuously modernized in partnership with the US Army.
Mack Defense’s Granite Series
Mack Defense supplied prototypes based on its commercially available Granite series of heavy-duty and severe service trucks, modified to meet the Army’s requirements with autonomous vehicle capabilities and electrification technologies.
„The Granite platform has performed very well in Army evaluations, demonstrating the durability, payload capacity, and adaptability required for the CTT mission set,” a company spokesperson said. Feedback from the Army was positive, particularly regarding Advanced Driver Assistance System Safety aspects, Support Equipment Interoperability, Ride Quality, Anti-Idle / Silent Watch, and Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services.
The prototypes featured enhanced powertrain, autonomous driving capabilities, a new suspension design, and predictive maintenance technology.
Navistar Defense’s ATLAS Family
Navistar Defense could not provide comments about the performance of its prototypes in the CTT testing. The company offered vehicles based on its ATLAS family of platforms, designed to be scalable and modular for a full spectrum of mission roles.
