Mack Defense details new US Army M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck

Shaun Connors, Washington, DC – Jane’s International Defense Review

Mack Defense has confirmed additional M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck (HDT) technical details to Jane’s after showing the type publicly for the first time at the Association of the United States Army’s annual conference in October.

Following a solicitation released on 26 May 2017 and a subsequent competition between Mack Defense and Navistar Defense, on 29 May 2018 the US Army announced that it had awarded the HDT contract to Mack Defense. The initial market survey for this requirement had been released by the US Army in 2014.Mack Defense’s M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck (HDT). (Shaun Connors)

The M917 is a member of the M900 series of trucks. The M900 series are based on commercial vehicles with the minimum of modifications to make them suitable for military use, and as such are not classed tactical trucks by the US Army. In addition to the M917, the M900 series includes the M915 6×4 and M916 6×6 tractor trucks, and has previously included M918 6×6 bituminous distributor, M919 8×6 concrete mixer, and M920 8×6 tractor truck. (more…)

Hendrickson And Mack Defense Partner To Win U.S. Army Heavy Dump Truck Suspension Contract

WOODRIDGE, IL & ALLENTOWN, PA – Hendrickson, and Mack Defense, LLC, announced they have received a contract award from the U.S. Army for PRIMAAX^® EX suspension systems on all new Mack Granite^®armored and armor-capable dump trucks. Bids were submitted beginning in June 2017 and production will continue through May 18, 2025.

The PRIMAAX^® EX suspension system provides a rugged, weight efficient design that delivers advanced suspension technology for the rigorous demands of the military applications. The system features a robust structural design with optimized suspension geometry for exceptional stability, handling and equipment protection. Paired with the Mack Defense armored and armor-capable dump trucks, the vehicles will fully support the U.S. Army’s requirement for dependability and reduced cost of ownership. The vehicles will support mobility, counter mobility, survivability and sustainment operations for the Joint Forces as they work in areas of the world with austere infrastructures and little or no host nation support. (more…)

Canadian Department of National Defence Marks Official Delivery of MSVS SMP Trucks from Mack Defense

ALLENTOWN, PA (Oct. 3, 2018) – The Canadian Department of National Defence recently marked the official delivery of the first Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) Standard Military Pattern (SMP) trucks from Mack Defense during a ceremony at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, in Petawawa, Ontario.

Canadian Minister of Defence Harjit Sajjan and other senior departmental officers were on hand to receive the trucks, as well as to discuss the impact of the MSVS SMP contract in terms of job creation and economic distribution. David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense, and Alan Gauthier, MSVS SMP program manager of Mack Defense, attended the ceremony to commemorate the delivery. (more…)

Cameroon’s Bastion APCs now in action

“The Cameroonian Rapid Intervention Battalions (BIR) are now fielding Mack Defense Bastion armoured personnel carriers (APCs), Jane’s confirmed during a visit to the BIR base at Salak, the headquarters of Operation Alpha, the elite force’s deployment in the Far North Region. A BIR Bastion in Cameroon’s Far North Region in April.” (more…)

Mack Defense Awarded Contract to Provide Heavy Dump Trucks to the U.S. Army

Mack Defense Awarded Contract to Provide Heavy Dump Trucks to the U.S. Army

ALLENTOWN, PA (June 5, 2018) – The U.S. Department of Defense announced it awarded Mack Defense a firm-fixed-price $296.4 million contract with the U.S. Army. As part of the contract, Mack Defense will deliver Mack Granite^® armored and armor-capable dump trucks to the Army, with an estimated completion date of May 18, 2025.

“This contract is a great opportunity for Mack Defense to support the Army’s work at home and abroad,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. “We are proud to be chosen and look forward to delivering reliable Mack vehicles that meet and exceed their high standards.” (more…)

Mack Defense wins $296 million Army contract; trucks to be built in the Lehigh Valley

Mack Defense LLC of Upper Macungie Township has landed one its largest contracts in recent memory, a deal that has the potential to keep the Mack Trucks’ subsidiary busy for the next seven years.

The contract, valued at up to $296.4 million and officially awarded to Mack Defense on Tuesday, calls for the company to provide 20-ton dump trucks to the U.S. Army through May 2025.

Michael Clow, spokesman for the U.S. Army Program Executive Office in Warren, Mich., confirmed Mack is the sole recipient of the award, which includes five test trucks followed by quantities that will be determined based on available funding.

While defense budgets can be unpredictable, the contract allows for a maximum of 683 armor-capable or armored heavy dump trucks, according to the original solicitation the Army issued about a year ago. The final number of delivered trucks, however, could be lower. The trucks will be assigned to Army units across the globe. (more…)

Armoured MSVS will enable faster battlefield logistic support

Mack Defense was recently profiled in Canadian Army Today, a leading Canadian military publication.

From Canadian Army Today – “Another fleet of new trucks is on the road to serve with the Canadian Army. The new Standard Military Pattern (SMP) truck is a four axle, 9.5 tonne capacity vehicle, intended mostly for use with the Regular Force.

Mack Defense lands contract with DLA

Mack Defense LLC of Upper Macungie Township has landed a contract that will bring some work through the Lehigh Valley over the next five years.

Mack on Tuesday announced it was recently awarded a U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) contract, in which the company will supply trucks and tractors — of various sizes and applications — to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies through 2023.

Robert Gordon, senior director of business development for Mack Defense, said the company is one of several recipients in the contract, which has a maximum value of $82.4 million.

Mack’s portion of the work will roll through the Lehigh Valley, as all Mack trucks for the North American market and export are assembled at the company’s 1-million-square-foot plant in Lower Macungie Township that employs about 2,400 people. (more…)

Mack Defense earns ISO Certification

ALLENTOWN, PA (April 9, 2018) – Mack Defense recently earned its Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2015) and Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015) certifications.

ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, promotes global standardization for specifications and requirements for materials, products, procedures, formats, information and quality management. Certification under ISO standards is an assurance that the ISO-required management of processes and documentation is in place.

“ISO certification ensures the management of environment risks, and the continual improvement of the quality of the products and processes we develop to help exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Randy Blose, Mack Defense senior manager of Purchasing, Quality and lead for the ISO certification. “Our entire organization was engaged and focused on revising and creating processes, procedures and preparing for the audits during the yearlong project. (more…)

Mack Defense delivers MSVS to Canadian Army

An article published in Canadian Army Today recently profiled the new Canadian Medium Support Vehicle Systems (MSVS) expected to serve alongside regular forces of the Canadian military. The new vehicle is a four-axle 9.5 tonne capacity vehicle.  (more…)