Massive armor needs trigger industry gold rush.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Washington PULSE

A steady stream of military contracts for armored vehicles has set off a flurry of industry takeovers and lash-ups that would have been inconceivable only a few years ago. Just in recent weeks, the industry has undergone a gradual metamorphosis. One of the Army's major truck manufacturers, Stewart & Stevenson, was acquired by an armor supplier, Armor Holdings. Another armor provider, Ceradyne Inc., entered the vehicle market with the introduction of a new line of commercial armored trucks. Oshkosh Truck Corporation, which dominates the Marine Corps' truck...