Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
GCT 2010 Volume: 1 Issue: 2 (August)
Stryker Contract
The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, $30 million to begin production of a double-V-shaped hull for the Stryker infantry combat vehicle. Preliminary testing of the new hull has proven that the design increases the level of protection and survivability provided to soldiers.
Deliveries will begin in January 2011 to allow vehicles to be available for use by the Stryker brigade that will rotate into Afghanistan next year, and will be completed by February 2012.
Gordon Stein, senior director for the General Dynamics Land Systems Stryker program, said the increased blast protection provided by the double-V-shaped hull will make the vehicle one of the most versatile, mobile and survivable vehicles on the battlefield. “Soldiers and Marines attending our warfighter’s forum earlier this year said their Stryker vehicles have performed superbly in Iraq and Afghanistan because of their speed, agility, stability and off-road capability,” Stein said. “The double-V hull can easily be integrated into all variants of the Stryker.”
Marine Corps to Modernize Cougar Fleet
Force Protection Inc. a designer, developer and manufacturer of survivability solutions and provider of total life cycle support for those products, announced it has received a modification to contract M67854- 07-D-5031 from the United States Marine Corps Systems Command for additional modernization of it’s Cougar fleet. The approximate $46.1 million firm, fixed price contract modification provides for the purchase of 2,451 enhanced automated fire extinguishing systems (AFES) with deliveries scheduled to begin in July 2010 and be completed by February 2011.
Randy Hutcherson, chief operating officer for Force Protection, commented, “We are extremely proud of the proven performance and continued durability of the Cougar fleet, and believe this award for additional modernization is another indicator that our Cougar family of vehicles remains a critical asset for the U.S. and other militaries worldwide. The AFES modernization program complements our ongoing successful efforts for the purchase and installation of independent suspension system kits on a significant number of Cougars. We will continue to aggressively pursue additional modernization opportunities, and anticipate this segment of the business will remain an important component of our revenue mix in the years to come.”
BAE Does Heavy Lifting
BAE Systems was recently awarded a contract for $70 million to convert 30 M88A1 hulls into M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System (HERCULES) vehicles and provide associated spare parts. This is the latest configuration in the M88 family of vehicles.
HERCULES provides unparalleled capability for recovering today’s 70-ton combat vehicles including the M1A1, M1A2, Leopard, bridging systems and other medium weight vehicles and answers the need for cost-effective, self-supporting heavy recovery performance. Key upgrades from the M88A1 to M88A2 HERCULES configuration include improved power-assisted braking, steering, electrical system and increased engine horsepower and additional armor protection, providing soldiers and Marines with 25 percent more towing muscle, 40 percent more lifting strength and 55 percent more winching power in meeting any mission requirement. ♦