A joint venture involving Sterling Heights-based General Dynamics Land Systems has submitted a proposal to build new military vehicles under the United States Army and Marine Corps' Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program.

The joint venture, called General Tactical Vehicles, also includes AM General, original builder of the Humvee.

The joint venture isn't releasing many details about the proposal, submitted to the federal government April 14, due to competitive reasons, according to Don Howe, GTV's JLTV program director.

"The government anticipates awarding a technology demonstration contract about the 30th of June," Howe said. "At this time the government is going through the proposal we submitted for the family of vehicles."

The new family of vehicles is intended as a successor to the Humvee. Howe said the General Tactical Vehicles proposal includes "many innovative features, includig a lightweight hybrid hull structure," and much commonality of parts between the different vehicles in the proposed lineup. The proposal also offers "a low profile and good blast resistance to protect the troops," Howe said.

General Dynamics Land Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

More at www.generaltacticalvehicles.com.