BAE Systems to upgrade more M88A1s
BAE Systems will upgrade 43 M88A1 heavy-lift vehicles for the US Army under a $148.3 million contract announced on 9 October.
The upgrades will enhance the vehicle’s capability to evacuate damaged or stranded combat vehicles from the battlefield. This continues the upgrade of the M88A1 to the M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift System (HERCULES) configuration to increase power, manoeuvrability and survivability.
The more capable M88A2 tows, hoists and winches 70-ton tracked vehicles used by the Armored Brigade Combat Team. With increased horsepower and upgraded armour protection including armoured track skirts and applique armour panels, the M88A2 can manoeuvre more quickly and get a 70 ton stranded vehicle – and its crew – to safety.
The execution of this contract will increase the total procured quantity of the M88A2 capability to 914. The army aims to field 933 M88A2 vehicles in total.
Deliveries are to begin in February of 2021.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal]()
Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal
Air 6500 Phase 1, worth AU$500 million (US$326 million), will result in a sovereign system that can provide greater situational awareness and help to defend against hostile aircraft and missiles. It will sit at the core of Australia’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence programme.
-
![Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million]()
Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million
The systems have been purchased under a special fund which has already been tapped into for the purchase of 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters worth up to €8 billion (US$8.7 billion) and thousands of Rheinmetall Caracal airmobile special operations vehicles worth €1.9 billion.
-
![The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions]()
The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions
The southeast Asian country has been enhancing its military readiness by procuring advanced Israeli defence platforms and systems.
-
![NSPA signs new helmet system deal and agreement for C-UAS systems]()
NSPA signs new helmet system deal and agreement for C-UAS systems
The Caiman helmet has been designed to be scalable for dynamic operations with mission-specific accessories and can incorporate electronics, communications headsets and other critical equipment.
