YORK, Pa. -- BAE Systems will provide engineering upgrades, spare parts, maintenance documentation and logistical support to RG33 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles under a dozen separate contracts from the U.S. Army. The total value of the contracts is $112.9 million.

The RG33, one of five different MRAPs ordered by the U.S. government, features strong protective armor and a v-shaped hull, designed to deflect the impact of blasts from mines. The U.S. military has cited the protection provided by MRAP vehicles as a reason for the decrease in the number of military casualties in Iraq.

The largest group of contracts, worth a combined $99 million, is for field service support. BAE Systems will provide field staff to work side-by-side with service members who will be using the vehicles in theater.

“Through training and support at installation sites across the U.S. and various locations in-theatre, we ensure that soldiers receive the instruction needed to execute successful missions while using these vehicles,” said Matt Riddle, vice president for Wheeled Vehicle Programs at BAE Systems.

Activities associated with these awards include:

• $3.2 million for engineering changes that improve vehicle performance for Heavy Armored Ground Ambulance (HAGA) and Special Operation Command (SOCOM) variants;

• $8 million for training, maintenance and logistics support documentation; and

• $2.7 million for replacement RG33 parts.

Work under the contract will begin immediately by the existing workforce, and will run through December 2009. The contract is managed by the Army’s TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.

BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US $31.4 billion) in 2007.

BAE Systems
18.12.2008