Ford enters competition to develop new US Army tactical truck
A Ford spokesperson said the automaker is 'excited to start work on this Army contract'
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Ford Motor Co. is pursuing what could be its biggest military contract in decades as it competes to build a new tactical truck for the U.S. Army.
The automaker has secured a Department of War contract to develop three prototypes based on its F-Series Super Duty pickups, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
The competition comes as the Pentagon taps automakers to replenish and modernize military equipment strained by global conflicts, according to the outlet.
"We are excited to start work on this Army contract and look forward to delivering several incredibly capable vehicle types that demonstrate the value Ford can provide to the Army and soldiers," a Ford spokesperson told FOX Business in an email.
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The Ford Motor Co. Michigan Assembly plant is pictured in Wayne, Michigan, on March 23, 2020. Ford is pursuing what could be its biggest military contract in decades. (Anthony Lanzilote/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The spokesperson said Ford’s Super Duty trucks are engineered for "extreme durability" and demanding conditions, making them an "ideal platform" for military use.
Ford Pro also offers global service and parts support, along with technology aimed at improving vehicle uptime, the spokesperson noted.
"Ford’s off-the-shelf solutions can deliver unmatched capacity and scale, cutting-edge technologies, and the rugged capabilities that can offer game-changing value and performance and meet the needs of governments and the military in a highly cost-effective way just as we do with our commercial customers," the spokesperson said.
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Workers assemble Ford vehicles at the Chicago Assembly Plant on June 24, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois. The spokesperson said Ford’s Super Duty trucks are engineered for "extreme durability." (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The move puts Ford in the running alongside rival General Motors (GM), which is developing a similar tactical truck.
GM unveiled its prototype in 2024, and the military has begun field testing it, according to The Wall Street Journal.
In addition to the two automakers, the Army has awarded a prototype contract to BC Customs LLC, a Utah-based off-road vehicle manufacturer, according to The Detroit News.
For Ford, the program could represent its largest military vehicle opportunity since the Cold War, the outlet reported.
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GM Defense’s Next Gen tactical vehicle is shown in an undated company photo. The move puts Ford in the running alongside rival GM, which is developing a similar tactical truck. (General Motors)
In May, Ford said it had been in discussions with governments in North America and Europe about using its commercial vehicles and software to support defense needs.
The company said some governments already use Ford vehicles for military transport and security operations.
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The Department of War referred FOX Business to the U.S. Army, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.