BAE Wins $81M Army Contract

BAE Systems, a defense, security and aerospace company, has been awarded an $81.4-million contract to produce 39 M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles and spare parts for the US Army.

Hercules vehicles can recover the Army’s 70-ton combat vehicles, including the M1A1, M1A2, Leopard, bridging systems and other medium-weight vehicles.

Work under the contract will be completed by the existing workforce at BAE Systems and is expected to be finished by May 2012.

The contract contains options for the US Army to purchase up to 81 additional vehicles and for the US Marine Corps to purchase an additional 10 vehicles, as well as six sets of spare parts.

“Hercules continues to provide unmatched capabilities to our troops,” said Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager of Heavy Brigade Combat Team Systems at BAE Systems. “This contract brings value to our employees, as it extends the current M88A2 production work at BAE Systems and our suppliers across the US.”

This award brings to $1.4 billion the total value of contracts BAE Systems has been awarded on Hercules. To date, 231 Hercules vehicles have been fielded against a total US Army requirement of 607 vehicles. A total of 69 have been fielded to the US Marine Corps, which has pure fleeted to the M88A2 configuration, plus an additional 114 vehicles to four allied nations: Egypt, Kuwait, Thailand and Australia.

Key upgrades from the M88A1 include power-assisted braking, steering, and electrical system as well as better engine horsepower and armor protection. These upgrades provide soldiers and Marines with 25 percent more towing muscle, 40 percent more lifting strength and 55 percent more winching power.

The contracts are managed by the Army’s Tacom Life Cycle Management Command.

For more information, visit: www.baesystems.com