The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded Navistar Defense a contract for $752 million to provide 1,050 International MaxxPro Dash Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

"The threats that our warfighters face continue to change every day and we understand the urgency needed to rapidly engineer and deliver new Dash vehicles to defeat emerging threats," said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense. "We are constantly looking at enhancements across our vehicle portfolio to provide warfighters with the most advanced equipment."

Under the new contract, MaxxPro Dash vehicles will incorporate the DXM independent suspension solution provided by Hendrickson Truck Suspension Systems and AxleTech International, an upgrade from the previous version.

"After conducting an extensive trade study, we selected a no-compromises suspension system for our MaxxPro," said Massicotte. "The design also minimizes the effort needed to integrate the system onto existing vehicles, which will accelerate the delivery of this important modification should the Army be interested in retrofitting our MaxxPro and 7000 Series fleets."

Since May 2007, Navistar has received orders for a total of 7,494 MaxxPro MRAP vehicles to help combat improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other threats. In late 2008, the company modified its design for added mobility. Navistar also has provided more than 8,100 International 7000 Series vehicles to the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.

The vehicles will be assembled at Navistar's Garland, Texas, and West Point, Miss., plants. Deliveries will begin in April and will be completed by the summer of 2010.