BAE Systems has been awarded a substantial $797 million contract to continue the production of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) for the U.S. Army, with the potential for additional options that could bring the total contract value to $1.6 billion. This significant achievement marks the commencement of full-rate production for the AMPV program, making it the first newly designed and constructed tracked vehicle to reach this production stage within the U.S. Army's fleet in over three decades.

The AMPV serves as the replacement for the aging M113 family of vehicles from the Vietnam War era in the U.S. Army's arsenal. This versatile AMPV vehicle family delivers crucial enhancements in survivability, mobility, and interoperability to the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT).

Jeremy Tondreault, President of the Platforms & Services sector at BAE Systems, expressed, "Entering full-rate production represents a monumental milestone in the development of a production program for both the U.S. Army and BAE Systems. The AMPV stands as the next-generation successor to the venerable M113, and we take pride in knowing that this critical capability is en route to the dedicated men and women in need of our most capable combat vehicles on the frontline."

The AMPV program stands as one of the U.S. Army's top vehicle modernization initiatives. The Army initially awarded BAE Systems the AMPV contract in 2014 and subsequently signed a low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract in 2018. The first LRIP vehicle was successfully delivered in August 2020.

The versatile AMPV family of vehicles encompasses various missions, including:

• General Purpose Vehicle: Operates across the battlefield to carry out tasks such as resupply, maintenance, and casualty evacuation from the point of injury.
• Mortar Carrier: Provides immediate and responsive heavy mortar fire support to the ABCT during fast-paced offensive operations.
• Medical Evacuation Vehicle: Facilitates immediate treatment or evacuation at the point of injury for both ambulatory and litter casualties.
• Medical Treatment Vehicle: Serves as a groundbreaking "operating room on tracks," delivering life-sustaining care to soldiers afflicted with life-threatening injuries.
• Mission Command Vehicle: Streamlines digital mission command by offering tools that enhance command, control, and communication capabilities on the battlefield.

Notably, the AMPV has been meticulously designed to accommodate future technology requirements, including provisions for enhanced size, weight, and power to facilitate network integration and accommodate future mission payloads. This ensures that our formations are equipped with a support vehicle that not only facilitates mission success today but is also highly adaptable to integrate forthcoming technology and capabilities. Rigorous testing conducted by the Army has validated the safety and combat readiness of these vehicles, assuring that soldiers receive a reliable platform.

The development and production of the AMPV program span BAE Systems' extensive industrial network, which includes facilities in Aiken, South Carolina; Anniston, Alabama; Phoenix, Arizona; Sterling Heights, Michigan; and York, Pennsylvania.

Source:prnewswire.com