October 15, 2017 - By now you’ve probably heard about the recent contract awarded to Caterpillar with the U.S. Department of Defense. The $663 million contract for construction equipment through the Defense Logistics Agency gives customers such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and U.S. federal civilian agencies the ability to purchase Cat® equipment and services over a period of five years.

This contract reinforces Caterpillar’s long tradition of supporting our men and women in uniform with high-quality equipment for their use in the field. In fact, the U.S. government is Caterpillar’s single largest customer.

While the Caterpillar Defense team wasn’t created until 1959, Cat track-type tractors were being supplied to U.S. military allies even before World War I. Holt tractors (one of Caterpillar’s parent companies) quickly became the backbone of artillery and supply movement because of their natural ability to move heavy equipment across muddy, shell-scarred battlefields. From 1914 to 1916 the production of Cat tractors increased five times to meet the early World War I European demands.

The highest praise has come from those who depended on the equipment in the field:

“The four machines that won the war in the Pacific were the submarine, radar, the airplane and the tractor-bulldozer.” –Admiral William F. Halsey

“If forced to choose between tanks and bulldozers for an invasion, I’d take the road-building equipment every time.” –General George S. Patton

Military and defense demand for Cat products has only increased since, and virtually every U.S. military engagement since World War I has relied, in some way, on Cat equipment. Today, Caterpillar continues to serve the armed forces with state-of-the-art equipment and support as well as sophisticated testing services and a research and development program that is committed to providing the U.S. government with the technology and hardware needed for tomorrow’s military environment.

While they continue to offer dozers and other standard earthmoving equipment to military customers, the Caterpillar Defense portfolio has expanded significantly to include specific military modifications for equipment such as armored cabs and armor protection, airdrop capability, water fording, and mine clearing. In addition to construction equipment, Caterpillar Defense also provides custom power solutions, military vehicle power, marine power, simulation and training, remote operator stations, remanufacturing, equipment management solutions, and worldwide product support.

Caterpillar continues to demonstrate their commitment to the U.S. government and military through these unique and specialized offerings, built to meet the exceptional demands of defense engagements. 

Caterpillar Defense offers modified or newly designed equipment, power solutions, parts, repairs and rebuilds, training and other services to the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments and militaries, civilian agencies and original equipment manufacturers. Whether a customer needs a ground-breaking power solution or a custom adaptation of a Cat® machine or a product support offering, Caterpillar Defense’s ideas help customers excel in every kind of environment.  For more information, visit catdfp.com.