Force Protection gets phase I and II deals

LADSON, S.C., July 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded a follow-on second-phase contract to Force Protection to install suspension kits on mine resistant ambush protected vehicles.

U.S. company Force Protection announced it has been awarded a phase II installation contract that follows a previously unannounced phase I award from June. Under the phase I and II deals, Force Protection will provide 1,317 of its Cougar MRAPs with TAK-4 independent suspension kits.

Officials say the combined value of the Marine Corps Systems Command phase I and II contracts, expected to be completed prior to February 2010, is approximately is $70.3 million.

"We are pleased to have received these awards to install this much needed, high-performance mobility upgrade package for approximately a third of our deployed fleet of Cougar MRAPs," Michael Moody, Force Protection chief executive officer, said in a statement.

"This award demonstrates our ability to capture a range of opportunities to provide service, support, spares and training. We are excited to leverage our recent investment in our Kuwait-based logistics and service depot, which we believe has significantly increased our ability to serve our customer and the war-fighter with faster response and more comprehensive service."