Military

FTTS-Maneuver Sustainment Vehicle (MSV)

The Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TACOM) was developing an advanced tactical truck system, called the Future Tactical Truck System (FTTS), intended to streamline deliveries to deployed troops in the planned Objective Force. The FTTS is a family of trucks, initially comprising only two variants: the Maneuver Sustainment Vehicle (MSV) and the Utility Vehicle (UV). The MSV, with a capacity of 13 tons, was intended to replace the 2 and 1/2-ton Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV), the 5-ton MTV, the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) and Palletized Load System (PLS) vehicle in the Unit of Action (UA). Both the MSV and UV would provide organic support to FCS UA brigades for the distribution of cargo, equipment and personnel, as well as for command and control (C2) operations. The Army Unit of Action (UA) deploys throughout the world and had to be prepared to conduct operations across the operational continuum.

The mission of the FTTS-MSV is to provide tactical/strategic transportation and support within all elements of the Unit of Action (UA). To successfully accomplish its mission, the UA required a ground logistics system that was highly mobile, efficient, extremely reliable, and flexible. The FTTS-MSV would be capable of keeping pace with the increasingly mobile and widely dispersed maneuver forces dictated by Objective Force Operational and Organizational Plan.

The FTTS-MSV had to be capable of operating over increased distances. The FTTS-MSV would distribute all classes of supplies without need of external Materiel Handling Equipment (MHE). This vehicle would also require fewer maintenance tools and features special software and sensors that would greatly enhance system reliability. In fact, the vehicle system would require 53 fewer vehicles and 43 fewer mechanics than current vehicles, such as the HMMWV.

Moreover, the future vehicle concept would provide increased fuel efficiency with extended supply ranges of 600 to 900 miles. The system would enable 100 percent communications support, thus increasing supply delivery accuracy and eliminating unnecessary re-supply activities. The FTTS-MSV concept also incorporates TACOM's intelligent load handling systems, which were being developed as part of the Smart Distribution program.

The requirements for the FTTS-MSV variant stated that it was to be capable of transport of equipment, NATO flatracks, varied mission module (e.g., bulk fuel and water, ammunition, and cargo transport), and receiving and transporting standardized containers (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEU)). The FTTS-MSV would have the capability to collect, receive, and transmit asset tracking information and diagnostic/prognostic information utilizing known and emerging supply and maintenance management systems at the time of procurement.