New kits ordered for MRAPs

LADSON, S.C., May 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine Corps has ordered additional Independent Suspension System Kits Cougar armored vehicles as well as kits to protect the MRAPs' fuel tanks.

Force Protection Industries of South Carolina said the first contract – a firm fixed-price modification to an earlier award – is for 1,000 independent suspension system kits.

The award consists of 650 ISS kits for Cougar Category I Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and 350 ISS kits for Cougar Category II vehicles. Delivery of the kits is expected to begin in the company's 2011 third quarter and be completed by Dec. 31.

"The Cougar with independent suspension continues to perform exceptionally well in Afghanistan and this award is another clear indicator of how vital the Cougar is to the troops in theater," said Randy Hutcherson, chief operating officer for Force Protection Industries. "The delivery of these kits and subsequent installation will help ensure that our Cougar vehicles continue to perform critical missions in extremely rugged areas."

The value of the contract for suspension kits has a total value of $106.9 million.

The second modification to an existing contract from the Marines is for 1,130 fuel tank protection modernization kits. Work will be performed in Ladson, S.C., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31.

The contract is worth a total of about $18.8 million.