Hendrickson, a Boler company, and AxleTech International, a General Dynamics company, were recently awarded a contract from Navistar Defense
to equip 2,717 International MaxxPro Long Wheel Base (LWB) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles with independent suspension systems.

This order continues the team's work to enhance the capability of the entire MaxxPro fleet, which recently included procurement of new MaxxPro Dash vehicles and the MaxxPro Dash ambulance variant.

The integrated independent suspension for MaxxPro MRAPs incorporates Hendrickson's sub-frames, sway-bars, coil springs and shocks with AxleTech's 5000 Series Independent Suspension Axle System, called ISAS.

This system improves mobility in rough terrain through better control and greater wheel travel at relatively high off-road speeds, the companies said.

As the Tier 1 supplier, Hendrickson will ship completed suspension systems to Navistar for installation on the MRAP vehicles, which will ultimately be delivered to the U.S. Army.

Production work for the MaxxPro upgrades is conducted at Hendrickson's Kendallville, Ind., facility, and AxleTech's Oshkosh, Wis., facility. Deliveries began last month and will be completed in October 2013.

"Hendrickson and Navistar Defense's long-standing and strong cooperative relationship has once again produced a highly-engineered, advanced vehicle capable of protecting our military and allowing them to perform and excel in harsh environments," said Doug Sanford, vice president and general manager of Hendrickson's Truck Suspension Systems.

"The AxleTech/Hendrickson system will modernize and standardize the suspension system of the Army's MaxxPro fleet," said Gerry Giudici, vice president and general manager of AxleTech International.