BAE to supply parts for Marine Corps MRAPs

YORK, Pa., July 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine Corp has contracted BAE Systems to provide engineering support and additional spare parts for mine resistant ambush protected vehicles.

BAE was awarded four delivery orders of spare parts and engineering support to maintain the company's five MRAP variants deployed by the Marine Corps. Officials say the contracts are worth $226 million.

The Marine Corps is currently operating BAE's Caiman, the RG31 and the RG33. The RG33 includes a 4X4, 6X6, the Heavy Armored Ground Ambulance and the Special Operations Command vehicle configurations.

BAE will provide engineering changes to 51 Heavy Armored Ground Ambulance and 393 Category 6X6 vehicles. The additional orders are for 6X6 variants, SOCOM and HAGA spare parts.

"These changes provide improved mobility and survivability capabilities that take the performance of the RG33 platform to a whole new level," Matt Riddle, BAE Systems vice president for wheeled vehicle programs, said in a statement.

"These enhancements significantly extend the mission envelope and improve the war fighting capabilities of the vehicle."