YORK, Pennsylvania –- BAE Systems has been awarded an $81.4 million contract to produce 39 M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicles and spare parts for the U.S. Army.
"HERCULES continues to provide unmatched capabilities to our troops” said Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager, 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 U.S.”
Work under the contract will be completed by the existing workforce at BAE Systems and is expected to be completed by May 2012.
The contract contains options for the U.S. Army to purchase up to 81 additional vehicles and the U.S. Marine Corps to purchase an additional 10 vehicles, as well as six sets of spare parts.
This award brings the total value of contracts BAE Systems has been awarded on HERCULES to $1.4 billion. To date 231 HERCULES vehicles have been fielded against a total U.S. Army requirement of 607 vehicles. A total of 69 have been fielded to the U.S. Marine Corps, which has pure fleeted to the M88A2 configuration, plus an additional 114 vehicles to four allied nations – Egypt, Kuwait, Thailand and Australia.
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 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.
The contracts are managed by the Army’s TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.
BAE Systems is the premier global defense, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.
BAE Systems
12.05.2009