How a company with a history in motorsports racing became part of Oshkosh Corporation

February 24, 2022

Innovation and development of industry changing technology is part of our DNA at Oshkosh. We have always believed that technology can make a difference in the lives of people and communities around the world.

With the world changing at a much faster pace and people’s needs changing just as quickly, it’s important that we find ways to accelerate our core technology development areas of autonomy and active safety, electrification and intelligent products. One of the ways we are doing just that is with targeted partnerships and a Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) strategy that is helping us accelerate our innovation and solve the most challenging problems. Pratt Miller is a great example of this.

 

 

PRATT MILLER, A LEADER IN ELECTRIFICATION, ROBOTICS, AUTONOMY, CONNECTED SYSTEMS AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

In 2020, Oshkosh was looking for partners to complement its business and help advance technology innovation. The strategic acquisition of Pratt Miller provided value-added capabilities to help us accelerate key advanced technology development in autonomy, electrification and intelligent products. Pratt Miller is an engineering and product development company and like our Oshkosh team, they have an innovation first mindset that pushes boundaries with sometimes unconventional technology advancement to transform what is possible.

Pratt Miller’s roots are in motorsports and out of that experience, they have become highly adaptive and agile innovators. Serving the defense, mobility and motorsports markets, they are the trusted source for developing both hybrid and fully electric powertrains, experts in technology integration and platform development for the defense industry and bring expertise in connected systems, machine learning and telematics solutions.

 

Race car on a race car track driving fast outside

Pratt Miller's winning history in motorsports racing has made them passionate and successful innovators.


Pratt Miller zero-emission electric white semi trucks indoors at a tradeshow in partnership with Hino Motors and Toyota

Pratt Miller is leading electrification integration efforts with Hino Motors and Toyota to deliver zero-emission electric vehicles.


INNOVATING THE FUTURE TOGETHER

We saw the opportunity this acquisition would bring to all the brands in the Oshkosh family. Working together we can advance capabilities and technology in the access industry, defense, fire and emergency as well as environmental services markets. The first area of focus and collaboration has been with Oshkosh Defense on the development of robotic autonomous combat vehicles and medium caliber weapon systems for the U.S. Army.

Pratt Miller’s technology integration and light weighting expertise was critical to Oshkosh Defense winning two contracts totaling $1,041.9M to update the Medium Caliber Weapon System (MCWS) on the U.S. Army Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle. The team of Pratt Miller and Oshkosh Defense brought together advanced capabilities in weapon system design, manufacturing and integration to deliver a highly effective solution.

 

 MCWS product outside on a gravel and desert terrain

U.S. Army Medium Caliber Weapon System (MCWS)

Pratt Miller’s background in electrification and robotic mobility controls expertise, has enabled them to design and build a variety of robotic platforms. One of those platforms is the Expeditionary Modular Autonomous Vehicle (EMAV). Using experience gained from the EMAV, Pratt Miller partnered with QinetiQ North America (QNA) to deliver the requirements of the RCV program. Bringing that program to Oshkosh and now leveraging the combined experience and innovation of Oshkosh Defense, Pratt Miller and QNA, Oshkosh will deliver the U.S. Army an exceptional high-performance solution that performs to expectations and supports the difficult jobs warfighters face every day.

These were just a few examples of how we are leveraging the technology capabilities of Pratt Miller across our companies. We will continue to advance the industries we serve with strategic acquisitions like Pratt Miller. Together, our advanced technologies will help people work better, safer, more efficiently and sustainably.

To learn more, visit our brands and innovation page.

 Pratt Miller RCV-L outside on grass

Autonomous Robotic Combat Vehicle – Light (RCV-L)