BAE Systems Awarded Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Contract by U.S. Marine Corps.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Third graph, end of sentence should read: Triangle, Virginia office (sted Quantico, Virginia office).

The corrected release reads:

BAE SYSTEMS AWARDED MINE RESISTANT AMBUSH PROTECTED VEHICLE CONTRACT BY U.S. MARINE CORPS

BAE Systems was awarded an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract Jan. 26 and a first delivery order for two 4x4 and two 6x6 vehicles from the company's RG33 family of vehicles for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) program for testing, with possible delivery orders for up to a total of 4,100 systems.

Following these initial delivery orders, the Government may place additional delivery orders for production of up to 4,100 MRAP vehicles in two categories. The Government has stated its intent to deploy vehicles procured under the MRAP program to Iraq and Afghanistan.

"BAE Systems fully understands that today's survivability requirements pose technical and operational challenges that require the capabilities of an experienced and proven combat vehicle developer," said John Swift, MRAP Program Manager for BAE Systems at its Triangle, Virginia office.

"As a world leader in developing and fielding high performance mine-hardened and mine-protected vehicles, BAE Systems' RG33 family leverages the best expertise from four decades of designing these types of vehicles in South Africa, and our long history of providing high survivability combat vehicles in the U.S.," Swift said. "The company's ongoing internal research and development efforts have driven the development of survivability solutions that will provide significant benefit to the Marines and soldiers that will rely on these vehicles."

Under this IDIQ contract, BAE Systems will deliver all four vehicles in 60 days for testing, and provide associated vehicle support.

The production-ready RG33 family of vehicles is BAE Systems' next-generation system that incorporates the latest designs in protecting against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) small arms, heavy machine gun fire and mines. The highly survivable RG33 incorporates a monocoque V-shaped hull design leveraging knowledge gained in recent and ongoing conflicts, and offers significant interior volume for crew and mission equipment.

The RG33 vehicle family is designed to address demanding requirements based on today's threats by delivering enhanced blast protection to the crew inside. The RG33 is available with base protection against medium machine gun or small arms fire and mine blast protection at a level equal to or exceeding any fielded mine protected vehicle. RG33 vehicles may be equipped with tailorable armor packages, as well. Advanced crew and passenger survivability is obtained through blast-resistant seating technology, transparent armor and unique reconfigurable interior stations. The platforms are designed with a power train equipped to handle upgrades and enhancements.

BAE Systems will deliver the mine protected RG33 vehicle in 4x4 and 6x6 versions to the urgent requirements of the Nation's armed forces. The company has multiple tactical wheeled vehicles in production now and skilled employees with mine hardened vehicle production expertise in low-cost, low-risk U.S. production facilities, leveraging BAE Systems' proven capability in rapidly producing and fielding highly survivable vehicles for armies around the world.

BAE Systems used the latest design, modelling and simulation tools at its facilities in Santa Clara, California and in Benoni, South Africa to rapidly prototype and produce the first vehicle in the series, the 6x6 RG33L, unveiled last fall at the Association of the U.S. Army's Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Washington, D.C.

The vehicle family is mission configurable for Infantry Carrier, Ambulance, Command and Control, Convoy Escort, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and other roles and is recoverable by another RG33. The vehicle features on-board exportable power for C4I and other mission equipment.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is a global defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 88,000 employees worldwide, had 2005 sales that exceeded $22 billion, excluding the group's former interest in Airbus.