Article Posted on : - Feb 04, 2011

Bradley Operation Desert Storm Situational Awareness. Photo: BAE Systems.

PENNSYLVANIA (BNS): The US Army TACOM Life Cycle Management has awarded a $47 million worth contract to BAE Systems for the modernisation of 95 of its Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

The modernisation process includes replacing obsolete equipment with updated components, restoring the vehicle to pre-combat condition. Work provided through this contract is supported by the company’s robust readiness and sustainment business.

"As the mission and combat environments for our soldiers are changing, we are working to provide a modernised Bradley Fighting Vehicle that continues to perform at an optimal level, providing increased survivability and enhanced situational awareness components," Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team Systems for BAE Systems, was quoted as saying in the company news release.

According to the contract, the Bradley vehicles will be reset and converted from the Bradley Operation Desert Storm (ODS) model to the Bradley Operation Desert Storm Situational Awareness (ODS SA) configuration, the release added.

The Bradley ODS SA vehicle features the latest digitised electronics for optimum situational awareness, network connectivity and communication within the Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

Work will be performed by the company’s existing workforce at its facilities in Fayette and York, Pennsylvania, as well as the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas. Vehicle deliveries will begin in March 2012 and will end in June 2012.