BAE to upgrade Bradley counter-fire tech

YORK, Pa., Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has contracted BAE Systems to provide upgrades on the Bradley fighting vehicle's Automated Fire Extinguishing Systems.

British company BAE was awarded an $11.6 million deal to engineer support for design improvements on the Automated Fire Extinguishing Systems.

Officials say the contract includes upgrades like new control electronics panels with built-in test capabilities, additional fire sensors and automatic first-shot fire bottles, among other advances, for as many as 419 Bradley vehicles.

"The Automated Fire Extinguishing Systems includes sensors placed strategically within the vehicle that detect fire and signal the release of flame retardant," Andy Hove, BAE Systems combat systems programs vice president, said in a statement.

"As a result, fire is quickly suppressed, ultimately reducing the threat of injuries to soldiers."