BAE Systems has received a $15.2 million modification to an existing contract to modify the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle program for Army networking hardware and software specifications.
The work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Mich., and have a projected completion date of Nov. 6, 2019, the Department of Defense announced on Monday. BAE was obligated $4.3 million in Army Fiscal 2017 research and development funds at the time of the award.
The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehcile is the Army's program to replace the venerable M113 series of light tracked armored vehicles. It is intended to be integrated with U.S. Army Armored Brigade Combat Teams to operate alongside M1 tanks, M2 and M3 Bradley fighting vehicles, and other armored mobile platforms.
It is based on the the existing Bradley family of vehicles and is intended to fullfill the roles of the 1950s-era M113 as a multi-purpose vehicle suitable as a mortar carrier, ambulance, command-and-control, and other variants.
The M113 series has been in use since 1960 and has been widely exported. It is a versatile platform that has been adapted for many roles but suffers from poor armor and survivability compared to more modern vehicles.
The AMPV will have improved armor and other crew and passenger protection systems and is curretly undergoing testing. It can carry up to six passengers, be mounted with crew served weapons and can deploy a variety of communications and sensor systems.
Expected major variants include mortar carriers, command-and control vehicles, and medical evacuation models. When introduced, it would comprise a third of an ABCT's armored vehicle fleet.
US to sell $1bn of tactical vehicles to Britain
The US State Department said Monday it is ready to sell thousands of tactical vehicles to Britain in a contract worth more than $1 billion.
The sale comes after the British government requested a possible sale of up to 2,747 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) in a contract worth $1.035 billion.
"This proposed sale supports the foreign policy and national security policies of the Unit … read more
