And then there were three.
After twice delaying announcements in a competition to make the next line of military ground vehicles, the U.S. Army on Wednesday named the finalists.
Among the three teams selected to build the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or JLTV, was one led by Lockheed Martin. That was of particular significance to the Johnstown region because JWF Defense and Concurrent Technologies Corp. are among Lockheed’s teammates on the venture.
“Obviously, we’re thrilled and excited by this opportunity,” said John Polacek, chief operating officer of JWF Defense.
The other winning teams were led by major prime contractors General Dynamics and BAE Systems.
Each of the three partnerships were awarded technology development contracts worth between $35.9 million and $45 million.
This next phase is expected to last 27 months and will result in a contract award expected to be worth $20 billion.
Joining JWFD and CTC on the Lockheed team are well-known industry players Alcoa Defense and BAE Systems Products group, formerly Armor Holdings.
Kathryn Hasse, director of tactical wheeled vehicles at Lockheed, singled out JWFD as one of the top players in the successful bid.
“They’re a key teammate,” Hasse said. “They’re a world-class fabricator and will be doing a lot of the actual component fabrication for us.”
All of the participating companies will be briefed in the coming days by the Army regarding their bid. Until then, the companies cannot be sure why their entry was or wasn’t selected among the finalists.
Polacek said he thinks the extensive testing of the Lockheed model was key to its selection. The Lockheed team has three operational prototypes and logged far more test-track hours than its competitors.
“I think the overall design and maturity of the vehicle made it attractive,” Polacek said. “This vehicle has been tried and tested over and over in the field by Lockheed Martin. I really think they liked the maturity of the vehicle.”
Polacek said JWFD will not require many additional workers to satisfy its duties in the technology development phase. He said the company may need to hire five workers to assist in the next phase of the competition.
Representatives from CTC could not be reached on Wednesday.
Local News
JWF Defense, CTC involved in military vehicle venture
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
