It looks like the Humvee's era is coming to an end as the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps, after almost a decade, have finally decided to award to Oshkosh Defense the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) contract. Oshkosh won the contract over Lockheed Martin and AM General (the maker of the Humvee) in the final phase of the competition and after a series of rigorous tests. For the company, it's hitting pay dirt as this contract will most likely grow into tens of billions of dollars.

The JLTV will be the workhorse of both the U.S. Army and the USMC and it will be transporting troops, supplies, and provide light vehicle support just like what its predecessors did, starting from the legendary Jeep of World War II.

According to the Washington Post, the initial contract will be for 17,000 JLTVs that will cost US$6.7 Billion. But if the full requirements of the U.S. Army of around 49,000 vehicles and the USMC about 5,500 units, the contract will be around US$30 Billion for almost a decade. Production is seen to start in the first quarter of 2016.

The Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (L-ATV) design of Oshkosh, which is their entry for the JLTV competition, incorporates the durability and protection  of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP), which became the vehicle of choice in Iraq and Afghanistan and the agility and speed of the Humvee. The Humvee was inadequately protected against roadside bombs or IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan leading to the design of the MRAP and it became the interim vehicle until a replacement of the Humvee has been chosen.

It incorporates the patent pending TAK-4i  intelligent independent suspension system that can be lowered or raised using interior controls to meet transportation requirements and has 20 inches of wheel travel for better off-road capability. As for weapon systems, Turret Operated Systems, Remote Weapons Systems and Tube Launched Missile System can be mounted on the JLTV to meet mission roles.

It is Net Ready where it can use different types of communications, network and software integration, display systems for command and communications. Even more impressive are its on the move Battlefield Situational Awareness features such as Long Range Surveillance, Shot Detection, Silent Watch Power Systems, Visible Light and IR camera systems.

For those who want to own a Humvee then they can just wait for the surplus and cheaper Humvees to flood the civilian market once the Oshkosj JLTV deliveries begin. One will just need to hope that gas prices would remain low as these are gas guzzlers, consuming 10 to 14mpgs, which is on the optimistic side as many say it averages 8mpg on the highway and 4mpg in the city. If that's not a problem, then better start saving up for your own personal Humvee to bring to future airsoft games.