BAE updating Bradley Fighting Vehicles

YORK, Pa., Feb. 2 (UPI) -- BAE's Ground Systems Division in Pennsylvania said the company will modernize 95 Bradley Fighting Vehicles for the U.S. Army under a $47 million award.

Under the contract, the Bradley vehicles will be reset and converted from the Bradley Operation Desert Storm model to the Bradley Operation Desert Storm Situational Awareness configuration.

The Bradley ODS SA vehicle features the latest digitized electronics for optimum situational awareness, network connectivity and communication within the Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

The vehicle's proven durability and commonality of design reduces logistic burden, while enhancing battlefield performance to meet a variety of mission requirements in various combat situations.

"As the mission and combat environments for our soldiers are changing, we are working to provide a modernized Bradley Fighting Vehicle that continues to perform at an optimal level, providing increased survivability and enhanced situational awareness components," said Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team Systems for BAE Systems.

The award amount of $47 million is the first tasking under a not-to-exceed total contract amount of $94 million. Additional orders for the balance of the contract value may be awarded in the future.

BAE said work will be performed at its facilities in Fayette and York, Pa., as well as the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas.

Vehicle deliveries will begin in March 2012 and will end in June 2012.