BAE Systems receives $23 million military vehicle contracts
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As the MOD in the UK prepare to announce the winner of the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle contract, the US army has awarded BAE Systems $23 million in various contract modifications for work on the Bradley and M113 vehicles.
This contract has a variety of work directives, including the installation of Bradley Urban Survivability Kits (BUSK) III, which include a series of rapid development survivability improvements specifically designed for today's urban battlefield. Some of the new developments under BUSK III include:
- Emergency egress improvements to allow soldiers to lower the ramp on the vehicle;
- Advanced survivability seat to provide energy absorbing seats and foot rests;
- A turret advanced survivability system to provide enhanced protection against IEDs for the gunner and commander positions.
Other work directives under this contract include Bradley field service support, and integration of the mission support system (MSS) for the M113A3 ambulance.
The Bradley fulfils five critical mission roles – infantry fighting vehicle, cavalry fighting vehicle, fire support vehicle, battle command vehicle and engineer squad vehicle – for the Army's Heavy Brigade Combat Teams.
"The recent Bradley and M113 awards will help to ensure that these proven vehicles will continue supporting out troops for years to come," said Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team at BAE Systems. "Both platforms have a long history of effectively performing for our men and women in uniform during combat missions overseas and play key roles on the Heavy Brigade Combat Team."
The M113 is part of the largest family of armoured tracked vehicles in the world and includes more than 80,000 vehicles worldwide with 40 variants. It can transport 12 troops plus a driver and is capable of extended cross-country travel over rough terrain and high speed operation on improved roads and highways.
