JLTV A2: The Drone Killer Truck the Army Just Cancelled and the Marines Went All-In on! The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV A2) just entered Army testing—and it’s not just a Humvee replacement anymore. This is the platform designed from the ground up to mount counter-drone systems that can defend convoys, forward bases, and maneuver units from the drone swarms redefining modern warfare.🎯 What You’ll Learn: Why AM General won the $8.66 billion contract over Oshkosh Defense The 250+ engineering changes that make C-UAS integration possible How 30mm proximity-fused ammunition destroys drones for under $10K per engagement BlueHalo’s 26kW LOCUST laser system integration on JLTV platforms Marine Corps MADIS system operational lessons from 2019-2025 Real cost comparison: Stingers vs Coyote vs 30mm airburst rounds Why the lithium-ion power architecture matters for future warfare🔧 Technical Deep Dive:The JLTV A2 features a 470hp Duramax engine, 15% better fuel efficiency, and a revolutionary 24-volt lithium-ion electrical system that replaces the old dual lead-acid setup. This isn’t just about weight savings—it’s the foundation for powering radar systems, EO/IR trackers, electronic warfare suites, and directed energy weapons simultaneously.⚔️ The C-UAS Kit Menu: We break down the actual systems being tested: Leonardo DRS Air Defense Light Variant with RPS-42 radar BlueHalo LOCUST 26kW laser (10,000+ combat hours proven) Northrop Grumman XM1211 proximity rounds with RF sensors XM1223 Multi-Mode Proximity Airburst ammunition (programmable fusing) EOS R400 Slinger 30mm remote weapon stations APKWS laser-guided rockets for extended range🎖️ Operational Context:The Marine Corps has been running MADIS (Marine Air Defense Integrated System) on JLTV platforms since 2019. Two-vehicle teams with Mk1 (kinetic) and Mk2 (sensor/EW) configurations are proving the concept works. The Army’s M-LIDS system follows similar principles. Now the A2 platform brings the electrical architecture and maintenance improvements that make these systems sustainable at scale.📊 Timeline & Production: April 2025: First 19 vehicles delivered for testing 18-month evaluation at Aberdeen and Yuma Proving Grounds Summer 2026: Full-rate production begins (15 vehicles/day) Contract: Up to 20,682 vehicles through 2033DISCLAIMER: All information sourced from official DoD releases, Congressional reports, defense industry announcements, and public testing data. Cost figures represent publicly available estimates where exact pricing is classified.#army #marines #military #vehicles #jltv