U.S. Army purchases additional HERCULES vehicles

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army awarded BAE Systems Land and Armaments a $28 million contract modification for the procurement of 11 M88A2 recovery vehicles.

The vehicles, known as Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System, or HERCULES, are among the largest armored recovery vehicles used by the branch. They can be used to recover large assets from the battlefield.

The U.S. Department of Defense says the work will be performed in York, Penn., and expects it to be complete by the end of November 2018.

BAE Systems received all funding at the time of the contract modification award. The Army Contracting Command in Warren, Mich., is listed as the contracting activity.

The HERCULES is designed to provide towing, winching and hoisting to support warfighters on the battlefield. The vehicle's main winch is capable of carrying 70-ton objects, allowing the HERCULES to tow M1A2 main battle tanks and similar assets.