HOUSTON, Texas -- BAE Systems announced today the award of a $13.97 million contract from the Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command (AMCOM), to manufacture 64 Increased Crew Protection (ICP) cab upgrade kits for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

The contract also includes 65 cab up-armor applique kits and spares.

The ICP cabs and appliqu kits will replace unarmored cabs on Army and U.S. Marine Corps HIMARS vehicles, and they will be produced and completed in Sealy, Texas by October 2010. It is based on the combat proven Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) built by BAE Systems. Serving as the common manufacturer for the FMTV and HIMARS system chassis, BAE Systems offers the Army and Marine Corps the ability to apply technology, parts commonality and lessons learned across the two platforms.

"This cab provides a new level of crew protection for soldiers and Marines and ensures they maintain a high level of tactical mobility," said Dennis Morris, president of Global Tactical Systems, BAE Systems. "This upgrade represents BAE Systems' support of the HIMARS program and our ability to modernize and upgrade the existing HIMARS fleet."

A unique design to BAE Systems, the HIMARS ICP cab is armored and has more than 40 enhancements from previous cab designs to make it the safest, most reliable chassis available for HIMARS crews. The ICP is designed to protect its crew from ballistic attack, mine blast, foreign object debris, and the fumes associated with rocket launch. Key enhancements include: improved crew survivability, hatch and door ergonomics, cab entry and exit, pressurization and water entry sealing. Composite materials were used to meet mission essential transportability requirements.

BAE Systems has produced the HIMARS platform since its introduction in 2003. HIMARS is a rocket and missile carrier that accommodates the entire family of Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) munitions, including all variants of the Guided MLRS rocket and Army Tactical Missile System missiles.

BAE Systems
09.10.2009