Battelle to build NSCVs for USSOCOM

Battelle has been awarded a five-year, $170 million contract to build and deliver non standard commercial vehicles (NSCVs) for US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), the company announced on 19 July. The contract includes an option for two additional years.

The contract will see Battelle build armoured and unarmoured vehicles that keep the appearance of original equipment manufacturer for the Hilux, Land Cruiser and Ford platforms. The company reengineers existing vehicles with protecting armour and durability features, such as stronger alternators to handle extreme climates, improved crew protection, enhanced suspension, and a reinforced chassis.

The vehicles have completed formal system level armour and durability testing.

Fred Byus, vice president of Battelle's mission and defense technologies business, said: ‘Under this contract, our vehicle systems team will execute on its custom designs and integrate complex systems to meet mission requirements - at a competitive cost.’

This new contract builds on the successful completion of a previous contract for NSCV awarded to the company in 2013.