BAE Systems Gets $709.4 Million Contract

BAE Systems reports that it has won a $709.4 million contract to refurbish, or reset, Bradley Fighting Vehicles for the U. S. Army.

BAE is the sixth largest US defense contractor, one of the largest in the world. It employs nearly 100,000 people and has contracts in 100 different countries around the world.

This contract is the largest one awarded so far to reservice Bradley vehicles. Just over 1000 will be reset, with the possibility of 50 more. Vehicles returning from Iraq will be the focus. Regular wear and tear from high mileage and tough, desert conditions, will be repaired, as well as more serious repair issues. Vehicles will receive the latest updates in technology and armor, designed to increase the life of the vehicle and protect the lives of the soldiers in them.

The vehicles are now used in a variety of roles, like engineering squad vehicles, infantry fighting vehicle, cavalry fighting vehicle, battle command vehicle and fire support vehicle. Many are used in the Heavy Brigade Combat Teams of the United States Army.

BAE will start delivering the vehicles in 2008 and the work will continue though 2009. The company will work through its Public Private Partnership with the Depot at Red River, where the vehicles arriving from Iraq will be taken apart and their subsystems partially rebuilt; BAE will then move the vehicles to Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where final disassembly will take place, with structural modifications being performed. The plant in York, Pennsylvania will handle the final assembly, where integrating and testing will also take place.

BAE has other, smaller contracts in relation to the Bradley, totaling over $1 Billion.

BAE has six strong home markets, which are Australia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, the UK, and the US.

The Bradley has strong capabilities, including a laser range finder that has made the vehicle useful in reconnaissance and fire direction. It can fire effectively while moving, use a variety of software for different tactical situations, and has advanced communication capabilities. In its role as a battle command vehicle, it allows a commander to move with the troops, rather than being stuck in a command post.

Even if these various components are damaged by a road-side bomb, the hull is usually intact, and it can be refurbished.When the engineers use the vehicle, it can be fitted with various mine detection devices, blades for removing debris, and serve as a mobile workstation. As new technologies become available, the vehicle will be adapted, for example, to deploy robotic mine removal technology. The vehicle can also pull a variety of loads to enhance its capabilities.

BAE Gets Large Contract, BAE