BAE Systems gets Bradley contract modification for kit installations

BAE Systems has been awarded a $15.5 million contract modificationbythe US Army to install modification kits on 952 Bradley Combat Systems vehicles in Iraq and the US The modification improves the survivability of the Bradley Combat Systems in combat. This award is part of a larger $25.6 million contract which calls for additional modernisation work.

"We have made several modifications to the Bradley over the past few years to maintain its superior survivability as the threat continues to change," said Andy Hove, vice president of Combat Systems Programmes "These modifications will improve the survivability of the systems that are deployed in theater and protect the soldiers even better than we do today."

Kit installation will bedone in Iraq and will include Bradley advanced survivability seats, a "hot box" ammunition restraint system and an improved fire suppression system. Air conditioning will also be installed in one Brigade Combat Team vehicle set. Work on the modifications will begin this summer.

The Bradley advanced survivability seats address the need to provide a more survivable seating system. The seats offer a number of improvements, including a four-point restraint system with a quick release, independent energy dissipation for each position and an integrated foot rest. The hotbox restraint kits provide an enhanced method of storing ammunition for the Bradley's 25 mm main gun and allows soldiers to upload ammunition in to the weapon in a safe and efficient manner.

When combined with previous awards this modification brings the total contract value to $387.2 million.

The Bradley fulfils five roles - infantry fighting vehicle, cavalry fighting vehicle, fire support vehicle, battle command vehicle and engineer squad vehicle - for the Army's Heavy Brigade Combat Teams.

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