BAE upgrading Caimans

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SEALY, Texas, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine Corps has given BAE Systems delivery orders worth $148 million for upgrades of Caiman Multi-Theater Vehicles.

Under the three orders, which coincide with a separate order to Navistar to upgrade MaxxPro vehicles in Afghanistan, BAE will supply nearly 400 Caiman rolling chassis with conversion kits and adaptable Underbody Survivability Kits and perform other enhancements on 1,040 other Caimans.

"These orders will continue the cost-effective upgrading of currently fielded Caiman vehicles," said Chris Chambers, vice president and general manager of Tactical Wheeled Vehicles for BAE Systems.

"The upgrades provide an unparalleled combination of adaptable, high-level protection and vehicle cross-country agility, while retaining the Caiman's ability to carry 11 combat personnel effectively.

"The lessons we've learned from our current integration of Caiman vehicles in Kuwait will allow us to quickly and efficiently return the vehicles, with significant enhancements, to our troops."

BAE said work on the vehicles will be conducted at its facility in Sealy, Texas.

The Caiman is a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, mainly used for transporting troops.