BAE Systems received two contract modifications worth as much as $575 from the U.S. Army for the low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). This durable, multipurpose vehicle is designed to meet the requirements of the U.S. Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs).
“Moving into this phase of the AMPV program is exciting because it brings soldiers one step closer to deploying this critical capability for completing their missions and coming home safely,” says Bill Sheehy, AMPV program director for BAE Systems’ combat vehicles business. “We have been preparing for this moment and are ready to take this program to the next stage.”
The AMPV program provides the Army with a more survivable and mobile fleet of vehicles, addressing a critical need to replace M113 vehicles developed during the Vietnam War. Production will include five variants of the AMPV: command and control, general purpose, medical evacuation, medical treatment, and mortar carrier. The AMPV is designed to provide all-terrain mobility and reliable weapons defense.
Previously awarded funding to support production planning, combined with the $128 million January award, allowed BAE Systems to start production. A second award in February for $447 million brings the total LRIP funding so far to $873 million. The initial award in 2014 also opened up options to begin the LRIP phase prior to the completion of the engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) phase, at which time the company would produce up to approximately 460 additional vehicles for a cumulative contract value of as much as $1.2 billion.
