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.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance]()
Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance
Europe’s air defence debate is increasingly shaped by the blunt economics of the field. While high-value interceptor missiles can effectively shoot down cheap drones, doing so at scale presents cost challenges.
-
![ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms]()
ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms
Following an order from the British Army, ARX Robotics has begun manufacturing autonomous ground platforms in the UK. Christopher Foss examines the company's growing range of systems.
-
![Textron unveils a smaller, low-cost variant of the Ripsaw family of UGVs]()
Textron unveils a smaller, low-cost variant of the Ripsaw family of UGVs
Ripsaw M1 has been designed to support the US Marine Corps’ littoral missions by carrying diverse types of payloads and performing multiple missions. Shephard spoke with Textron to find out more.
