Bradley Fighting Vehicles to get situational awareness upgrade from BAE Systems
Posted by John McHaleYORK, Pa., 5 Feb. 2011. BAE Systems won a $47 million contract modification to enhance 95 of the Bradley Fighting Vehicles by replacing damaged and obsolete components with updated equipment and technology.Under this contract, the Bradley vehicles will be reset and converted from the Bradley Operation Desert Storm (ODS) model to the Bradley Operation Desert Storm Situational Awareness (ODS SA) configuration. The Bradley ODS SA vehicle features the latest digitized electronics for optimum situational awareness, network connectivity, and communication within the Heavy Brigade Combat Team."As the mission and combat environments for our soldiers are changing, we are working to provide a modernized Bradley Fighting Vehicle that continues to perform at an optimal level, providing increased survivability and enhanced situational awareness components," says Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team Systems for BAE Systems.The modernization process includes replacing obsolete equipment with updated components and restoring the vehicle to pre-combat condition. Work provided through this contract is supported by the company's readiness and sustainment business.
The award amount of $47 million is the first tasking under a not-to-exceed total contract amount of $94 million. Additional orders for the balance of the contract value may be awarded in the future. The contract was awarded by the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management.
Work will be performed by the company's existing workforce at its facilities in Fayette and York, Pa., as well as the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas. Vehicle deliveries will begin in March 2012 and will end in June 2012.
The Bradley fulfills five critical mission roles -- infantry fighting vehicle, cavalry fighting vehicle, fire support vehicle, command vehicle, and engineer squad vehicle -- for the U.S. Army's Heavy Brigade Combat Team.
