BAE Systems improving soldier survivability with $62m Bradley contract

BAE Systems is helping to protect soldiers on the front line through a $62 million contract modification to provide energy absorbing seats, laser designation and other important survivability enhancements for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which is already one of the most survivable vehicles currently in battle.

"While many of us will never experience the threat of an explosive device on our way to work, there are thousands of soldiers that encounter such threats each day on the battlefield," said Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team at BAE Systems. "Fully understanding and assessing the needs of our men and women in uniform is critical and extremely important to us."

The contract includes several work directives and additional survivability improvements. Some of the enhancements include:

• Energy absorbing seats and foot rests that limit blast effects transmitted through the vehicle floor
• Gunner and commander position protection against mine and improvised explosive devices
• Field service representative support
• Vehicle software upgrades
• Target location extension
• Laser designation
• Enhanced armor protection
• Emergency ramp release that provides escape capability by lowering the ramp on a battle damaged vehicle

The work under this contract modification will take place at various military installations in the United States as well as in Iraq and Kuwait. The work will begin in March 2011 and is anticipated to be completed in December 2011.

The contract modification was awarded by the US Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.

Bradley Fighting Vehicle continues to provide outstanding survivability, mobility and lethality to US soldiers in various combat situations. The Bradley fulfills five critical mission roles - infantry fighting vehicle, cavalry fighting vehicle, fire support vehicle, command vehicle and engineer squad vehicle - for the US Army's Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

Source: BAE Systems

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