STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Michigan's General Dynamics Land Systems has an award to purchase materials to support production of double-V-shaped hulls for Stryker combat vehicles.
Deliveries under the $9.8 million contract from the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command will begin in January and completed by February 2012, the company said.
First deliveries to allow vehicles to be available for use by the Stryker brigade that will rotate into Afghanistan in 2011.
The Stryker is an eight-wheeled, armored combat vehicle designed in 10 configurations: Infantry Carrier Vehicle, Anti-tank Guided Missile, Mortar Carrier, Command Vehicle, Reconnaissance Vehicle, Engineer Squad Vehicle, Medical Evacuation Vehicle, Fire Support Vehicle, NBC Recon and Mobile Gun System.
The vehicles are C-130 transportable, with 14.5-mm basic armor protection.
"Preliminary testing of the new hull has proven that the design increases the level of protection and survivability provided to soldiers," the company said. "The increased blast protection provided by the double-V-shaped hull will make it one of the most versatile, mobile and survivable vehicles on the battlefield."
The Stryker is manufactured by General Dynamics.
