ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- BAE Systems has been contracted by the U.S. Defense Department for the delivery of Mine Roller Systems and Hercules recovery vehicles.
The Defense Department awarded British company BAE $11.9 million to provide 156 of its Mine Roller Systems that are designed to detonate improvised explosive devices and roadside bombs before U.S. military vehicles pass over the threat.
BAE also was awarded $13.9 million to purchase long-lead material needed for eight of its M88A2 Hercules vehicles. Officials say the Hercules trucks are capable of towing and providing other support services for vehicles weighing up to 70 tons. The Defense Department awarded the Hercules contract to support Iraq's security forces.
"We continue to provide our global allied forces with M88A2 vehicles to support their land forces," Joe McCarthy, BAE Systems Combat Systems Programs vice president, said in a statement.
"The Hercules has provided unmatched capabilities during Operation Iraqi Freedom and will play an important role for the Iraq Security Forces."
