$43.6 million U.S. Army contract for FMTV Armor system
BAE Systems has been awarded a $43.6 million contract by the U.S. Army to manufacture 730 Long Term Armor Strategy (LTAS) cargo vehicles. This contract is part of the Army’s Long Term Armor Strategy initiative to equip all tactical vehicles with the ability to be armored when necessary. It provides the initial production and full scale ramp up of the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) LTAS variant.
BAE Systems’ LTAS is system-designed for the FMTV comprised of a different cab and vehicle elements allowing for significant increases in weight. The “A-Kit” modifies the FMTV to allow the addition of armor including a new cab. The “B Kit” is the armor itself.
Initial production calls for 730 LTAS A-Kit configured vehicles. A follow-on modification includes an additional 103 A-Kit configured vehicles resulting in a total of 833 A-Kit vehicles. A follow-on order for B-Kits is expected later this month.
Over 39,000 FMTV trucks have been manufactured for military forces worldwide. More than 45,000 FMTV trucks and trailers are in service with the U.S. Army. The commonality of parts among the FMTV includes shared engines, transmissions, power trains, tires and cabs. This commonality significantly reduces the logistics burden and operating and support costs for the U.S. Army. FMTVs set new tactical vehicle standards for capability, reliability, mobility, protection and transportability.