LADSON, S.C., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine Corps announced it has contracted Force Protection Inc. for support services on mine resistance ambush protected vehicles.
Force Protection is a developer of the widely used Cougar and Buffalo MRAP armored vehicles deployed by the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. Marine Corps announced it has contracted the company's subsidiary, Force Protection Industries Inc., for more than $74.1 million to provide logistics support for the vehicles.
"Force Protection recognizes the importance of supporting the vehicles' performance in the field," Phillip Owens, Force Protection Industries vice president for integrated logistics support, said in a statement.
"The company's ILS business segment has kept pace with the rush to field these life-saving vehicles. This contract is indicative of our continued efforts to ensure troops have the vehicles in service and to provide them the maximum protection possible."
Force Protection's record production figures for Cougar and Buffalo MRAP vehicles in 2007 has resulted in a substantial deployment of the company's technologies in military theaters. The announced integrated support contract is a reflection of the military's increased use of MRAP vehicles and the new support requirements that will be needed.
