Mack Defense, based in Allentown, announced it had won a contract from the U.S. Marine Corps to produce two prototype vehicles for the Medium Tactical Truck (MTT) program.
The company won initial development contracts last year for the new family of vehicle to replace its Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement fleet (MTVR), which includes cargo, dump, wrecker, tractor and re-supply trucks to support combat support missions.
The development requirements for the MTT fleet focus on cargo variants with 10-, 15-, and 20-foot cargo bed configurations and with hybrid-electric technology for reduced fuel consumption and quieter operations. The vehicles’ 70 percent off-road and 30 percent on-road mission profile will be supported by supported by a 60-inch fording capability, officials said.
“These prototypes represent the next generation of purpose-built, specialty vehicles for the Marine Corps,” David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense, said. “By leveraging our commercial vehicle technology expertise and adapting it for military applications, we’re delivering a highly capable platform that can perform in the most challenging terrains, while incorporating advanced safety features and hybrid propulsion systems that meet the Marine Corps’ rigorous mission requirements.”
The program will emphasize enhanced off-road mobility for cross-country operation while maintaining an optimal weight for fuel efficiency, officials said. Additionally, the design will incorporate open systems architecture to enable future autonomous capability.
Prototype construction begins in the second half of 2025, with completion slated for early fall. Once assembled, the vehicles will be performance tested at the Nevada Automotive Test Center in the first half of 2026.