GD upgrading Strykers

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STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Additional communication, protection and situational-awareness equipment are being installed on U.S. military vehicles by General Dynamics Land Systems.

The company said work on 292 double V-hulled Stryker armored vehicles, which will be deployed to Afghanistan, will be performed at its recently acquired Force Protection manufacturing plant in South Carolina beginning in March.

The contract is worth $10 million, the company said, and will involve the hiring of new personnel. Work on the project is expected to be completed in early 2013.

What systems are to be installed was not disclosed.

General Dynamics Land Systems makes wheeled, tracked and amphibious combat vehicles. It acquired Force Protection last December in a deal worth $360 million.

The Stryker is an eight-wheeled armored vehicle used by the U.S. Army for transporting troops. Other variants include medical and command vehicles. It's 22 feet long, has a speed up to 62 mph and an operating range of 310 miles.