Oshkosh Truck Selects MSC.Software as Modeling and Simulation Partner for U.S. Army Future Tactical Truck Concepts and Technolog

Oshkosh Truck Selects MSC.Software as Modeling and Simulation Partner for U.S.
Army Future Tactical Truck Concepts and Technology Evaluation
Initial Phase of Project Designed to Help Military Assess Reliability,
Durability and Other Important Performance Requirements of New Vehicle Design
Through Virtual Product Development 


SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 9  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MSC.Software Corp. , the
leading global provider of virtual product development (VPD) tools including
simulation software and services, and Oshkosh Truck Corporation  are announcing
that Oshkosh Truck Corporation has selected MSC.Software to provide modeling and
simulation services for the first phase of the US Army Future Tactical Truck
System (FTTS) program.  The Future Tactical Truck System Program, undertaken by
the National Automotive Center (NAC), is an effort to design and develop a
multi-capable, modular vehicle designed specifically to handle multi-modal cargo
operations and take advantage of new hybrid propulsion technologies.

"The US Army and government agencies have the same product development
challenges as the private sector; they must design and develop their products as
quickly and cost efficiently as possible.  Modeling and Simulation is critical
to reaching aggressive reliability, weight and performance requirements," said
Frank Perna CEO MSC.Software.  "Our work with our FTTS program partners is an
excellent example of the ways in which simulation and virtual product
development can dramatically reduce the time and costs of product development
while ensuring that important performance requirements are determined and met. 
We look forward to successful completion of the first phase of this project and
hope to continue to be a trusted advisor to the FTTS program in the coming
years."

In an effort to consolidate its various lines of tactical trucks into a single
family of vehicles, TACOM and the US Army are evaluating the FTTS program to
develop a new fleet of advanced, modular vehicles that can be reconfigured for
an assortment of combat missions.  Under the current specifications, the Army
will develop a multi-mode modular cargo vehicle, which will have two variants: 
a larger "maneuver sustainment" truck that will replace the current heavy and
medium fleets, and a "utility" version that is the equivalent of a light truck. 
The initial stages of the FTTS research and development effort will rely almost
entirely on modeling and simulation in order to reduce program risk and
development costs.  The data and results generated by phase one will be used to
support the competitive award for the prototype development phase of the
program.  Award of a production contract will follow successful completion of
prototype testing and evaluation.

The initial phase of the FTTS program, called the Jump Start Advanced Concept
Technology Demonstration (ACTD), is currently underway and is scheduled to be
completed in early 2004.

For more information on the FTTS program, please visit the Department of Defense
Technical Information Web Site at http://www.dtic.mil/ /.

For more information on MSC.Software's military and defence related projects,
please visit http://www.mscsoftware.com/

About Oshkosh Truck Corporation

Oshkosh Truck Corporation (NYSE:OSK) is a leading manufacturer of specialty
trucks and truck bodies for the defense, fire and emergency, concrete placement
and refuse hauling markets. Oshkosh Truck is a Fortune 1000 company with
products marketed under the Oshkosh(R), Pierce(R), McNeilus(R), Medtec(R),
Geesink and Norba brand names.  The company is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wis.,
and had annual sales of $1.95 billion in fiscal 2003.

About MSC.Software Corporation

MSC.Software (NYSE:MNS) is the leading global provider of virtual product
development tools that help companies make money, save time and reduce costs
associated with designing and testing manufactured products.  MSC.Software works
with thousands of companies in hundreds of industries to develop better products
faster by utilizing information technology, software, services and systems. 
MSC.Software employs more than 1400 people in 23 countries.  For additional
information about MSC.Software's products and services, please visit
http://www.mscsoftware.com/ . 

DATASOURCE: MSC.Software Corp.



CONTACT:  Press, Todd Evans, Media Relations, [phone],

, or Investor, Joanne Keates, Director of Investor

Relations, [phone], , both of

MSC.Software



Web site:  http://www.dtic.mil/

http://www.mscsoftware.com/ 

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