BAE Systems wins second multi-million-dollar Bradley armored combat vehicle and vetronics deal in as many months
WARREN, Mich. – Armored combat vehicles designers at BAE Systems have won a second multi-million-dollar order to build Bradley armored combat vehicles in as many months, as the company received a $288.4 million order on Wednesday to upgrade old Bradleys into as-new M2A4 and M7A4 Bradley combat vehicles.
Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Mich., are asking the BAE Systems Platforms & Services segment in York, Pa., to build the functionally new Bradley armored combat vehicles.
BAE Systems received a $113.1 million contract on 23 Aug. 2023 to provide Army M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles with upgraded vetronics, electrical systems, smart power management software, heavyweight torsion bars, track upgrades, improved suspension, and new shock absorbers to create functionally new Bradley M2A4 and M7A4 combat vehicles.
The M2 Bradley is an infantry fighting vehicle for reconnaissance and to transport a squad of infantry. The armored vehicle protects warfighters inside from small arms fire, while its 25-millimeter chain gun provides firepower to counter many battlefield threats. The Bradley is maneuverable and fast enough to keep up with heavy armor like M1 Abrams main battle tanks during an advance.
The M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicle is a totally digital, full-tracked, medium armored vehicle that provides cross-country mobility, mounted firepower, communications, and protection to mechanized infantry. The armored combat vehicles have three seats for crew members and seven seats for squad members.
The M7A4 Bradley is an upgraded fire-support vehicle with integrated target location equipment to help direct artillery fire and airborne munitions. It has equipment for use by dismounted observers.
The first M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicles came off the manufacturing line in 2012 with heavyweight torsion bars and track upgrades, improved suspension, and new shock absorbers.
BAE Systems is rebuilding legacy Bradley vehicles with upgraded electrical systems and power train to accommodate today's high-power demands from a variety of systems upgrades such as networked vetronics, software-defined radios, air conditioning systems, and even mobile battery chargers.
On this latest order BAE Systems will do the work at locations to be determined with each order, and should be finished by January 2026. Last month's order will do the work in York, Pa., and should be finished by January 2025.
For more information contact BAE Systems Platforms & Services online at www.baesystems.com/en-us/our-company/inc-businesses/platforms-and-services, or the Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal at https://acc.army.mil/contractingcenters/acc-dta/.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
