Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Protection Kits

The Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Protection Kits program is a key Army initiative under the Other Procurement, Army appropriation, specifically within the Tactical and Support Vehicles budget activity. The primary goal of this program is to enhance the survivability of tactical wheeled vehicles by providing advanced armor and protection kits for Medium Tactical Vehicles (MTV), Heavy Tactical Vehicles (HTV), and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV). These kits are designed to address evolving battlefield threats, such as ballistic attacks, underbody blasts, and explosively formed penetrators, ensuring that Soldiers are protected during both combat and support operations.

The Medium Tactical Vehicles (MTV) Protection Kit Suite includes several components: the Long Term Armor Strategy (LTAS) B-kits (side armor), C-kits (underbody armor), and Fuel Tank Fire Suppression (FTFS) kits. The B-kit provides applique armor panels for the vehicle cab exterior, improving occupant survivability against direct attacks. The C-kit enhances protection against underbody blast threats with deflector plates, armor panels, and energy-attenuating seats and mats. The FTFS kit is a ballistic fire protection system for the fuel tank, further reducing vulnerability. The Army Procurement Objective (APO) for MTV Protection Kits is 18,612 units each for B-kit and C-kit, reflecting the scale of the Army's commitment to vehicle occupant safety. For FY 2026, there is no funding request for MTV protection kits, indicating a pause or completion of the current procurement cycle for this vehicle family.

Heavy Tactical Vehicle (HTV) Protection Kits focus on providing armor survivability for vehicles such as the Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HETS), Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), and Palletized Load System (PLS). The centerpiece of this effort is the HETS Urban Survivability Kit (HUSK), an armored replacement cab that is lighter and offers enhanced protection compared to previous models. The HUSK cab meets Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter System (EHETS) force protection requirements, enabling the safe transport of heavy combat equipment during large-scale ground operations.

The HTV Protection Kits also include LTAS B-kits, C-kits, FTFS, and Tank Armor Modules (TAM), all designed to address a variety of threats identified by the Department of Defense. The APO for HUSK is 469 units, with additional armor and FTFS kits planned for thousands of HTVs. For FY 2026, the budget allocates funding for the procurement of four HETS HUSK kits to support both Active Army units and Army Pre-positioned Stocks. This supports the National Defense Strategy's emphasis on dynamic force employment and maintaining combat-credible capabilities.

By equipping tactical vehicles with MRAP-level protection, the Army aims to improve crew survivability during Multi Domain Operations (MDO) and Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). The HUSK cab's increased payload capacity also enhances the Army's ability to transport, recover, and evacuate heavy equipment, supporting flexible theater postures and operational freedom of maneuver.

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) Kits are designed to upgrade JLTV variants with enhanced door assemblies that provide additional protection against EFP threats. These kits include a door assist system to facilitate ingress and egress, compensating for the added weight of the armored doors. While no FY 2026 funding is requested for JLTV EFP kits, previous investments have contributed to the Army's broader modernization efforts and alignment with the National Defense Strategy.

The Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Protection Kit program also supports homeland defense missions, domestic emergency responses, and military support to civil authorities, as mandated by Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. The program's objectives are justified by the need to protect Soldiers in all Brigade Combat Team formations, ensuring that tactical vehicles remain essential combat enablers. The procurement of protection kits was previously managed under other vehicle family programs, but has now been consolidated to streamline acquisition and enhance readiness.