Rivals Burst Force Protection's Bubble

Thus, Oshkosh has offered up its Category II Bushmaster for review. Alternatively, Oshkosh could choose to further capitalize on its partnership with Protected Vehicles and help supply that company's Category II Golans instead.

Earlier this month, Defense Industry Daily singled out the Golan for its unique capability to protect soldiers from "explosively formed penetrators" -- now viewed as even bigger threats than the improvised explosive devices that other MRAP vehicles effectively shield.

Protected Vehicles has, by itself, fielded an MRAP order for 60 Golans already. But the company foresees calls for additional Golans that it could use some help supplying.

"We would obviously like to have a partner," Barrett told TheStreet.com last week. "We can use Oshkosh; that's part of [the contract]. But that's not definite at the moment."

Protected Vehicles is watching to see if Oshkosh lands a Category II contract of its own. Meanwhile, the company is busy making preparations for the new MRAP business that could soon come its way.

In recent months, Protected Vehicles has added hundreds of employees -- including graduates of a welding school that it helps run -- and it is right now seeking to purchase a new building that will allow it to expand beyond the 600,000 square feet it already has.

"We have been putting the infrastructure in place to build serious numbers" of both Category I and Category II vehicles, Barrett explained. "We know the urgency of the need, and we have the desire to meet that need to the fullest extent possible. ... We are poised to supply."