The Army just invested $255 million for 250 M-ATV ambulances. (photo by Oshkosh Defense)
Some serious jingle has been dropped in the past week to beef the Army’s vehicle fleet, and soldiers are sure to like what they see.
Oshkosh Defense is the big winner, with the following contracts:
- $413 million to produce a much-needed 1,800 medium tactical vehicles for Army National Guard by March 12, 2013.
- $255 million for 250 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle ambulances. We highlighted this vehicle in our AUSA coverage. This is a HUGE plus for combat medical care. They will roll out by May 31, 2012.
- $34 million for 78 M1076 palletized load systemtrailers and 78 M1075A1 PLS trucks by Sept. 30, 2011.
- $28 million for 46 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicles Special Operations Command (SOCOM) variants with the SOCOM-specific enhancements. Another vehicle we highlighted at AUSA, this is one bad mamma-jamma. They will roll out by May 31, 2012.
- $11 million to refurbish battle-damaged vehicles and trailers. The work will be done in Kuwait and will put 140 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks and Heavy Equipment Transporters back in the fight.
The Army also dropped $250 million to purchase 247 Bradley conversion kits. In April, manufacturer BAE Systems will begin the 17-month upgrade of Bradley Operation Desert Storm vehicles into the “Situational Awareness” variants. Not as good as the A3, but a big improvement over the ODS as digital command-and-control, ballistic fire control and driver’s vision enhancer are added.
GM GDLS Defense Group also got a piece of the pie – $92 million, to be exact. This money will bring about Stryker performance specification changes to support mine protection kits.
And last but not least, General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products got $20.6 million for 440 Bradley reactive armor tiles for the Bradley fighting vehicle system. These will be ready for the fight by July 31, 2012.
