Navistar Gets Largest Armored Truck Order of 2011

Navistar Defense, a division of Navistar (NYSE:NAV), announced Monday it received an order from the U.S. Marine Corps System Command for 471 armored patrol trucks worth $357 million.

The order is Navistars largest request of its MaxxPro Dash vehicles, which feature DXM independent suspension, this year.  The order follows last months Marine delivery of 250 MaxxPro Dash Mine Resistant Ambush Protected [MRAP] ambulances.

Navistar has developed its fleet of MaxxPro vehicles to over 8,700 units, including production vehicles, ambulances, and flatbed trucks. The heavily armored vehicles have been used by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2007.

"We have nine major MaxxPro variants in or on their way to theater today thanks to the flexibility of our proven vehicle platforms," said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense.

"The MaxxPro Dash was the first MRAP to be modified specifically for the Afghan terrain and we have continued to enhance its capabilities all along the way. Keeping our warfighters equipped is priority one."

The Marine order will be completed by September 2011, and the new units will be produced in Garland, Texas and West Point, Mississippi.

Last week the company reduced its 2011 revenue projection from military vehicles to $1.9 billion, from $2 billion.