BAE purchasing Bradley conversion kits

YORK, Pa., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- BAE Systems is purchasing long-lead items for 247 Bradley Operation Desert Storm Situational Awareness vehicle conversion kits under a U.S. Army contract.

The contract, worth $250 million, was given by the Army's TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.

Under the contract, BAE will procure long-lead items for the conversion of 202 Bradley ODS vehicles to the Bradley ODS SA configuration, and an additional 45 kits for future vehicle conversion requirements.

The company said the kits will give the vehicles enhanced situational awareness capability.

The Bradley ODS SA vehicle features the latest digitized electronics for optimum situational awareness, network connectivity and communication within the Heavy Brigade Combat Team. Bradley ODS SA's proven durability and commonality of design reduces the logistics burden, while enhancing battlefield performance.

"Procurement of these items will help us to provide critical ongoing upgrade and re-manufacturing work, while creating and integrating advanced technological enhancements that make Bradley one of the most survivable vehicles in theater," said Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team for BAE Systems.

The Bradley ODS SA vehicle features the latest digitized electronics for optimum situational awareness, network connectivity and communication within the Heavy Brigade Combat Team. Bradley ODS SA's proven durability and commonality of design reduces the logistics burden, while enhancing battlefield performance to meet a variety of mission requirements.

The contract for long-lead items has been awarded in advance of the ODS-SA vehicle conversions and conversion kits production effort anticipated in April 2011.