BAE SYSTEMS Awarded Contract Modification for FCS Armed Robotic Vehicle SDD Program Transition Effort.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- BAE Systems has been awarded a contract modification worth a minimum of $122.3 million for the transition effort for two Armed Robotic Vehicle (ARV) variants for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems.

"BAE Systems is committed to bringing the new capabilities of the Armed Robotic Vehicles to the Army, and to our soldiers as quickly as we can," said Buck Tanner, Armed Robotic Vehicle Program Manager for BAE Systems.

This contract modification, awarded April 6, increases the total authorized value of the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract from $189 million to $311.3 million, which could increase to $320.5 million if $9.2 million in additional task orders are authorized.

In 2003 BAE Systems was selected by the FCS Lead System Integrator to design and develop the two ARV variants to provide the FCS-equipped Units of Action with the ability to see and strike the enemy first, while offering soldiers unprecedented protection and survivability that would reduce exposure in high vulnerability reconnaissance and assault missions.

Under the current modification, the ARV program has been accelerated and BAE Systems is now scheduled to field the first prototypes in 2010, with fielding to FCS-equipped Units of Action scheduled for 2012-2014. The period of performance has been extended through March 2013.

This modification also increases the prototype quantities for two of the ARV variants.

The semi-autonomous ARV is the largest unmanned ground vehicle in the Army's FCS program, and will be an integral platform within platoons and companies in the FCS-equipped Units of Action. ARV is to be about the size of a large pickup truck and will be highly deployable, either two at a time on C-130 airplanes or individually with CH-47 helicopters. The ARV is intended to provide battlefield commanders new and unmatched capabilities for reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, as well as assault firepower. The two variants will share a common chassis.

One of the ARV variants will carry a cannon for self defense, disperse ground sensors, and conduct battle damage assessments. The other ARV variant integrates Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) missiles, a powerful automatic cannon and a high rate of machine gun fire.

BAE Systems is also working under an SDD contract for FCS Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV) development, and is teamed with General Dynamics to lead the MGV effort. The companies have integrated design teams developing a family of eight manned ground vehicles featuring a common platform design with common components and subsystems, with unique mission modules.

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems.