BAE to kickoff production of armoured multi-purpose vehicle for US Army

The US Army has awarded a $1.2bn contract to BAE to begin the engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) and low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the armoured multi-purpose vehicle (AMPV).

The highly survivable and mobile fleet of vehicles, to be built as part of the latest programme, will replace the army’s Vietnam-era M113s.

BAE Systems Combat Vehicles vice-president and general manager Mark Signorelli said: "This award represents a significant milestone for the US Army and BAE Systems.

"The AMPV will provide a substantial upgrade over the Army’s current personnel carrier fleet, increasing the service’s survivability, force protection, and mobility while providing for future growth potential.

"It also confirms BAE Systems’ role as a leading provider of combat vehicles."

As part of the initial $383m award with a 52-month base term, BAE will build 29 vehicles across each of the variants.

Work under the contract is anticipated to commence immediately at the company’s facilities in York, Pennsylvania, and Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Further, the overall contract value would reach $1.2bn, if all the options including the construction of additional 289 vehicles for, are exercised.

Capitalising on Bradley and M109A7 designs, the AMPV complies with the army’s force protection and all-terrain mobility needs while manoeuvring with the rest of the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT).

Other companies involved in the programme include DRS Technologies, Northrop Grumman, Air Methods, and Red River Army Depot.

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Image: BAE’s armoured multi-purpose vehicle (AMPV). Photo: courtesy of BAE Systems.